Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
12 Days of Philanthropy: Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund
By Roe Borunda
Published 8 years ago on
December 22, 2017

Share

The Fresno Grizzlies have long been a community staple, providing two decades of Triple-A baseball entertainment.
Buster Posey, Tim Lincecum and Carlos Correa are among the megastars who have grown up in the Fresno farm systems of the San Francisco Giants or the Houston Astros.
While the franchise may be proud of being the top-level minor league club of four World Series champions, perhaps they are just as proud of giving back to the community.
In 2004, the club started the Grizzlies Community Fund. Whitney Campbell, the team executive who runs the program says the goal is simple: “to be an active and esteemed member here in Fresno.”
The fund is the 501(c)(3) non-profit counterpart to the baseball team. Campbell says the fund is the best-kept secret in the Valley: “We don’t want it to be a secret anymore.”
The fund operates six different programs including working with the United Way’s “Adopt a Family” to spread holiday cheer.
Another popular program is “Wild About Reading.” Hundreds of thousands of young Valley scholars are rewarded for picking up a book. In addition to a ticket to catch a game, students earn prizes for learning.
Of course, there is the thrill of Parker, the team’s giant grizzly mascot, visiting a school.

Junior Grizzlies Is Flagship Program

The Junior Grizzlies program helps provide the joy of baseball for kids with mental and physical issues. The team calls it the flagship program. They play at the “Field of Dreams,” a special diamond designed for children of all ages.
“It’s very heartwarming to see that what we do makes an impact. It is across the board in all areas,” Campbell says.
For more information regarding the Grizzlies Community Fund, contact Whitney Campbell in the Grizzlies front office: (559) 320-2547 or wcampbell@fresnogrizzlies.com.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Advisory Warns of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ in US After Iran Strikes

DON'T MISS

Muslim Countries to Set up Contact Group to Seek Israel-Iran De-Escalation

DON'T MISS

Visalia Police Seek Public’s Help in Sexual Assault Investigation

DON'T MISS

Despite Clashes With US Presidents, Israel’s Netanyahu Usually Gets His Way

DON'T MISS

Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’

DON'T MISS

Oil to Open Higher as US Strikes on Iran Boost Supply Risk Premium

DON'T MISS

US Strikes Against Iran Not Aimed at Regime Change, Pentagon Chief Says

DON'T MISS

US Bombing of Iran Started With a Fake-Out

DON'T MISS

Pakistan Condemns Trump’s Bombing of Iran a Day After Nominating Him for Peace Prize

DON'T MISS

World Awaits Iran’s Response After Trump Says US ‘Obliterates’ Nuclear Sites

UP NEXT

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

UP NEXT

Nuclear Diplomacy Stuck, Israel Says It Killed Top Iran Commander

UP NEXT

Bentley the Porch-Crasher Pup Hopes for a Forever Home

UP NEXT

The Secret to Finding the Best Travel Bargains

UP NEXT

This Fresno Family Had Six Graduations, Ranging From Pre-K to High School

UP NEXT

Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 Levels Up With Four Days of Deals Starting July 8

UP NEXT

Fresno County’s Ruth Fire Destroys Structure in Yokuts Valley

UP NEXT

Fresno Now Has a Professional Shakespeare Co. Thanks to Measure P Sales Tax

UP NEXT

Town Hall Unveils New Season With Best-Selling Authors, ‘Jeopardy!’ Host, and More

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Investigate Fatal Shooting, Seek Public’s Help

World Central Kitchen Resumes Gaza Operations After Nearly 7-Week Pause

29 minutes ago

6 Dead After Boat Capsizes on Lake Tahoe

31 minutes ago

Americans Worry Conflict With Iran Could Escalate, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

43 minutes ago

No Iranian Missiles Hit US Base in Qatar, U.S. Official Tells Reuters

53 minutes ago

Zelenskyy Arrives in UK After Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills at Least 8

1 hour ago

Trump Slams Medvedev for Claiming Nations May Supply Iran With Nuclear Warheads

2 hours ago

Iran Says It Fires Missiles at US Airbase in Qatar, Explosions Heard Over Doha

2 hours ago

Putin Says US Strikes on Iran Are Pushing World to ‘Very Dangerous Line’

2 hours ago

Israel Signals Iran Campaign Can End Soon but Much Hinges on Tehran

2 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Melissa Helen Alexander

2 hours ago

Fresno County Supervisors to Vote on Dog Breeding Ordinance

Supervisors on Tuesday will vote on an ordinance to rein in dog and cat breeding across Fresno County. If approved, the regulations will req...

4 minutes ago

4 minutes ago

Fresno County Supervisors to Vote on Dog Breeding Ordinance

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) looks on, after President Donald Trump delivered remarks on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
13 minutes ago

US House Speaker Johnson Says It Is Not Time to Consider War Powers Resolution

A pumpjack operates at the Vermilion Energy site in Trigueres, France, June 14, 2024. (Reuters File)
26 minutes ago

Oil Falls 6% as Iran Focuses Retaliation on US Military Base

29 minutes ago

World Central Kitchen Resumes Gaza Operations After Nearly 7-Week Pause

Lake Tahoe Capsized Boat
31 minutes ago

6 Dead After Boat Capsizes on Lake Tahoe

Iran's and U.S.' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
43 minutes ago

Americans Worry Conflict With Iran Could Escalate, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

The S-200 missile system is displayed during the Iranian defence week, in a street in Tehran, Iran, September 24, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
53 minutes ago

No Iranian Missiles Hit US Base in Qatar, U.S. Official Tells Reuters

1 hour ago

Zelenskyy Arrives in UK After Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills at Least 8

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend