United water partners with the cal ripken, sr. foundation to provide
programs for youth of hampden county, ma
Springfield, mass.--(business wire)--united water has partnered with the cal ripken, sr. foundation to continue the badges for baseball program in hampden county, which includes springfield and holyoke, mass., for the sixth year. on thursday, august 1, approximately 100 youth from the springfield and holyoke boys & girls clubs attended the holyoke blue sox game, in celebration of the badges for baseball program. badges for baseball uses baseball and softball to train law enforcement as coaches and mentors to improve relationships between at-risk youth and law enforcement. prior to the game, youth were honored during an on-field ceremony, and one representative from the springfield boys & girls club, holyoke boys & girls club, united water and hampden county sheriff’s office had the opportunity to throw out the first ceremonial pitch. “united water knows it is important to go beyond providing excellent service and to get involved in the challenges facing the communities we serve,” said nadine leslie, president, united water environmental services. that’s why we partner with organizations such as the cal ripken, sr. foundation to support their badges to baseball program. we believe investing in the children of springfield and holyoke builds a stronger community for everyone.” in 2008, the cal ripken, sr. foundation partnered with the hampden county sheriff’s department to launch badges for baseball. the program is supported through grant funding from united water. the cal ripken, sr. foundation created badges for baseball in conjunction with the u.s. department of justice. the program reshapes the relationship between law enforcement and kids living in underserved communities across the country. it’s a simple concept: pair cops and kids together to play and learn. each year, this program reaches over 150 youth from springfield and holyoke and connects them with mentors from the law enforcement community. the partnership teaches area youth valuable life lessons, including teamwork, leadership, and the value of preserving the natural environment, particularly water. “the holyoke blue sox are excited to partner with united water and the cal ripken sr. foundation for this great event on august 1st at mackenzie stadium in holyoke,” said clark eckhoff, blue sox president. “we always welcome non-profit organizations and little leagues to our games. the blue sox look forward to having similar groups at the remainder of our 2013 season games and in the future.” thanks to the continued support of united water, the cal ripken, sr. foundation has provided the springfield & holyoke boys & girls clubs with the resources needed to implement badges for baseball. this includes cash awards, baseball/softball and quickball equipment, a character education curriculum, and opportunities to send deserving youth to overnight summer camp at the ripken complex in aberdeen, md. “we are excited to continue our partnership with united water and provide the badges for baseball program to deserving youth in hampden county,” said steve salem, president of the cal ripken, sr. foundation. “united water’s commitment to youth outreach and community involvement has enabled this program to continue to grow and positively impact hundreds of local youth.” the united water foundation and the cal ripken, sr. foundation began their partnership in 2009. the program started in massachusetts and has since spread around the country, reaching youth in hampden county, ma; poughkeepsie, ny; jersey city, nj; harrisburg, pa and pontiac, mi. each individual program has impacted up to 100 youth in their respective communities. the two partners are working to build and expand upon the success of the program with the ultimate goal of reaching more youth and helping lead them on a path to success. about the cal ripken, sr. foundation the cal ripken, sr. foundation uses baseball- and softball-themed programs to help build character and teach critical life lessons to underserved youth residing in america’s most distressed communities. founded in 2001 by members of the ripken family in memory of their patriarch cal, sr., the foundation works to create programs that positively impact at-risk youth through active community partnerships with america’s most successful youth service organizations. the ripken foundation uses the baseball and softball field to help teach life’s critical lessons such as perseverance, loyalty, nutrition, hard work and leadership to young people residing in disadvantaged communities. in 2012, the foundation impacted more than 154,000 youth in 47 states around the country through badges for baseball. about united water in springfield, ma, united water operates the 67 million gallon per day bondi’s island wastewater treatment facility for the springfield water and sewer commission serving 275,000 residents in seven municipalities. in holyoke, ma, united water operates the 37 million gallon per day holyoke water pollution control facility for the city of holyoke, serving the city’s 40,000 residents. united water is one of the nation’s leading environmental companies, providing water and wastewater services to approximately 5.5 million people in the united states. in addition to owning and operating 16 water and wastewater utilities, united water operates 90 municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems through innovative public-private partnerships and contract agreements. founded in 1869, united water is a subsidiary of suez environnement. www.unitedwater.com
