A big hit - Spring training baseball drives in funds for Catholic groups

PHOENIX, Ariz. (The Catholic Sun) - While millions of Americans donned green clothing and accessories March 17, some men from St. Patrick Parish here have been sporting it all month. Clad in their volunteer uniform -- a dark green polo shirt and baseball cap -- the Scottsdale parish's Men's Club runs a concession stand during each spring training home game for the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale.

The men are one of a few Catholic organizations and parishes that benefit from the baseball bonanza hitting the Valley this month. Each group uses the funding for special projects in its community. Benefiting from Giants fans "It is a long day, but it goes fast," said Jerry Whitley, men's club president and volunteer coordinator. Up to 10 men staff eight-hour shifts at each of the 14 home games. They rotate among 40 volunteers and average four days each at the ballpark. The men fill food and drink orders and run four registers on the far third base side, just inside the gate. "The key items are a hot dog and a drink," Whitley said. Dave Clemens, secretary of the men's club, noted that nachos also sell well. He remembers St. Patrick's Day bringing in a lot of sales in previous years. This year, the day to celebrate all things Irish fell on a Saturday. "It's quite an endeavor for our members to work it, but it's rewarding," Clemens said. The club earns a percentage of sales from its stand, which adds $5,000-$9,000 to the group's coffers, Clemens said. Serving fans during spring training marks one of the club's two largest fundraisers. Previous monies supported the adopt-a-family program at Christmastime, student scholarships and paid freight charges when another parish group collected items for troops overseas. Last year, the men's club donated $30,000 of its total fundraising toward remodeling the parish hall. The group will likely donate more to the effort this year. It will also continue supporting the husbands of women experiencing difficult pregnancies. "We want to be there in case of a special need," Whitley said. The men's club at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale earns money from Giants fans as well. They collect parking fees from game goers in exchange for a spot in the church's vacant lot near the stadium. The money goes toward ongoing parish upgrades and eighth-grade scholarships for continued Catholic education. This month marks the ninth year parishioners at St. Vincent de Paul have staffed Milwaukee Brewers home games at Maryvale Stadium. Their volunteer efforts become money for the parish. They earn a set amount each season. Previous earnings supported youth group retreats. Funds are not yet earmarked for this year, but will likely help with parish upgrades. Volunteers -- including those from neighboring parishes -- earn a check for St. Vincent de Paul Parish by serving as the 8,000-seat stadium's sole ticket takers, ushers and gatekeepers. "We're the whole enchilada," said Dolores Witherspoon, who coordinates the volunteers with Ronda Mattern. They spend three weeks before opening day creating the work schedule, which requires up to 33 volunteers per game, and training volunteers. The ushers wipe down every seat and row of bleachers in their section before the gates open to fans. They keep fans safe during the game by watching for foul balls and protect the players and coaches from unruly fans who might charge the field. The Knights of Columbus at St. Gabriel the Archangel in Cave Creek helped the parish-based Boy Scout troop raise $660 from ticket sales and donations from an Oakland Athletics game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium earlier this month. Funds will help them purchase needed equipment and supplies. Players also pitch in The Chicago Cubs donate funds raised during one of its home games to the Catholic-based Paz de Cristo in Mesa, which serves meals and provides other outreach to low-income families. For the last 10 years, the team has held a canned food drive and fundraiser for the center at one home game. If fans donate 10 cans of food or $20, they can choose a prize from an autographed baseball grab bag. There may also be a silent auction for larger prizes. The fundraiser day is scheduled for March 23. Michael Boos, Paz de Cristo's director, said that usually drives in $15,000-$16,000 for the ministry. "It's used to help pay for the cost of our evening meal service and food boxes," he said. Paz de Cristo serves 200 dinners every day to the community's poor. Last year, it served more than 65,000 meals and handed out 13,000 food boxes. Some of the players, their wives and office staff also visit Paz de Cristo during the spring training season to serve meals. Boos noted that they don't wear uniforms because a lot of them don't want the recognition. "They just like to do the service," he said, "Just like anyone else would."

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