Allentown Patriots Team Goes to Bat
to Benefit the American Red Cross
News Release: August 8, 2011
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771


The Allentown Patriots Old Timers Blue Softball Team will go to bat against The Morning Call All-Star Softball Team in a game of slow-pitch softball to benefit the American Red Cross on Sunday, Aug. 28. The action takes place at Patriots Park, 1026 St. John Street in Allentown.

Game time is 4 p.m. Gates open at 2 p.m. with free activities for the kids, baked goods, silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle and more. Food is available for purchase at the park's refreshment stand.

"We are absolutely delighted that the Patriots Old Timers Blue Softball Team chose the Red Cross as one of their benefit charities for the second year," said Sandy Gaspar, director of development for the American Red Cross. "What better way to spend a summer afternoon. These players are really great athletes and it's wonderful to see how their family members support the team through bake sales and concession operations."

"The Allentown Patriots Old Timers Blue Softball Team is looking forward to once again supporting the Red Cross," remarked Wayne Hoffman, a team member of the Allentown Patriots. "We play an average of 60 games during our summer season. Team members must be at least 65 years old, and our oldest member is 82. The average age of our 19 members is 70 years. Playing softball keeps us feeling young and we get to help out a lot of great charities."

"We try to play a few charity games per year for worthy causes because we feel it's important to be active in our community and get involved in special events whenever possible," said Keith Groller, local sports editor for The Morning Call. "It's an opportunity for the public to see the people who write the stories and headlines, and design the pages that hundreds of people read each day both in the newspaper and online. So many times we have to report on tragedies on a local, state, national and worldwide basis that prompt a much-needed response from the American Red Cross. We respect and admire the work that the American Red Cross does and we're eager to support them by participating in this event."

The teams will play two, seven-inning games. Admission is free.

The Allentown Patriots Athletic Association was founded in 1948 after a ten-year history as the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. The organization built Patriots Park in 1953 and the accompanying community building in 1958. For many decades now the Patriots have provided the best in high school, college and summer softball activity including visits by the United States Olympic Team, national and world tournaments, and many special fundraisers for a variety of causes.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross helped more than 76,500 people through preparedness and training, military personnel support, senior lifesaving programs and services, emergency relief and information and referral. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.