Building some goodwill
During all-star week, the league all-star players are collaborating with Habitat for Humanity to work at the housing site on Addison Street in Washington.
During all-star week, the Frontier League all-star players are collaborating with Habitat for Humanity to work at the housing site on Addison Street in Washington.
The Frontier League all-stars will display their athletic skills at Consol Energy Field in Washington during the all-star game on July 17.
But on July 16, the players showed off their handyman skills, collaborating with Washington County Habitat for Humanity at the 50th Habitat home on Addison Avenue and at its ReStore at 1001 E. Maiden St., both in Washington.
Wild Things community outreach and merchandise manager Kate Billings said community service is a fundamental component of the team, which has established a tradition of partnerships with nonprofit organizations and charitable programs to benefit the Washington area since the team formed in 2002.
Last year, Habitat and the Wild Things partnered for a Habitat for Humanity night, where volunteers helped with ticket taking and program sales, and talked with people at the game about the group’s mission and volunteering.
“We are integrated into the community by virtue of the host family program. That’s what we’re all about: community,” said Wild Things principal owner Stuart Williams, referring to the program in which local families provide housing for Wild Things players during the baseball season. “We are philanthropic by nature; we want to do good things. We want to provide good entertainment, and we want to make a contribution. It’s why we’re here.”
Tony Gacek, executive director of Washington County Habitat for Humanity, said the event gave ballplayers the opportunity to lend a hand and learn more about Habitat, an international organization that builds decent, affordable homes for qualified, deserving, low-income families.
“There are Habitat affiliates across the country, and our hope is that a lot of players, when they go back to their hometowns or where their team is, they might want to get involved with the Habitat for Humanity chapter there,” said Gacek. “Also, we love volunteers of all skill levels, and a group of young, strong, very large ballplayers is always welcome.”
One group of All-Star players joined Habitat volunteers in working on the home, while another group of about a dozen assisted at the ReStore shop, which sells new and used building supplies and home furnishings and appliances.
At the shop, the athletes helped to clean and price donated items, and moved them to the sales floor.
The players signed autographs and talked with fans who visited the ReStore.
Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the house on April 24. Sponsors of the home are Columbia Gas, 84 Lumber, R.G. Johnson Co. and the Washington County Redevelopment Authority.
“It’s a testament to the Wild Things and their dedication to Washington County that they partner with groups like Habitat to gain exposure of our mission,” said Gacek. “They forge these partnerships with diverse businesses and organizations. We’ve been fortunate to be partners.”
For information on Habitat for Humanity or to volunteer, visit its website at www.habitatwashpa.org or call 724-222-4340.