Sep 1, 2009 2:05 pm US/Eastern
Markakis Makes $75,000 Donation
BALTIMORE (WJZ/Orioles) ―
The Orioles announced Tuesday Nick and Christina Markakis have made a $75,000 donation to the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation.
The donation, earmarked for several OriolesREACH community efforts, is the fulfillment of a commitment made by Markakis when he signed a six-year contract extension this past off-season. Funds will be divided among three OriolesREACH efforts – the Baltimore Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (RBI) League, Baltimore City Schools education programs, and Shannon's Fund.
Fully funded by the Orioles Charitable Foundation, the RBI League was founded to help Baltimore City kids build healthy self-esteem while learning baseball skills in a positive and structured environment. More than 300 youth participate in the league, and the Orioles regularly invite RBI participants to Oriole Park for Orioles games and clinics. The team also hosts the RBI League tournament each season. Nick will be actively involved with the RBI League next summer.
A portion of the donation will also be used to help fund educational efforts in Baltimore City Schools. The Orioles partnered with Baltimore City Schools earlier this year for a Summer Learning Curriculum that included lessons inspired by baseball. Nick and Christina Markakis made an appearance at Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School in July to help demonstrate the curriculum.
Shannon's Fund will also benefit from the Markakis donation. Established last season by the Orioles in memory of Shannon Obaker, the team's Director of Community Outreach who bravely fought cancer for over a year before passing away in January 2007 at age 29, Shannon's Fund provides assistance to University of Maryland Medical Center cancer patients and their families to assist with their hospital stay and treatment. The Nick and Christina Markakis donation will be designated for children who are cancer patients.
Markakis is this year's Orioles' nominee for Major League Baseball's annual Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players who best represent baseball through sportsmanship, community service and positive contributions to their teams. Nick and Christina established The Right Side Foundation earlier this year to assist children in need in Maryland. The Foundation's inaugural 5K Run and One Mile Walk attracted nearly 600 participants at Patterson Park earlier this month.
Roberto Clemente Day is Wednesday, Sept. 2 in Major League Baseball. In a ceremony prior to the Orioles' 7:05 p.m. game that night against the New York Yankees, the team will present Markakis with the Roberto Clemente Award, along with a $7,500 donation from Chevy to the Right Side Foundation. The national recipient of the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award will be announced in a ceremony at Game 3 of the 2009 World Series. Fans can vote for Markakis at
www.chevy.com/clemente.
(CBS/Orioles)
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