BOSTON — Before Alex Cora has ever held a team meeting as manager of the Red Sox, he’s continuing to have a huge humanitarian impact.
One day after returning from a three-day excursion to his homeland of Puerto Rico to help with Hurricane Maria relief efforts, the new Red Sox manager arrived in time for the kickoff to a traditional Boston fundraising initiative designed to help those in need around Boston.
Starting with Friday’s lunch panel at Hotel Commonwealth, dignitaries from around baseball came together to discuss current subjects like free agency and competition around the majors. The weekend is capped off Saturday night when the bi-annual Boston edition of “Hot Stove, Cool Music” takes place at the Paradise Rock Club, with former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough serving as the celebrity host.
All proceeds go to Foundation To Be Named Later and the Peter Gammons Scholarships for sending disadvantaged youth to college.
The Foundation To Be Named Later (“FTBNL”) was launched in Spring of 2005 by Paul Epstein, a social worker in the Brookline Public School system, and his twin brother, former Red Sox Executive Vice President and General Manager and current Chicago Cubs President, Theo Epstein.
The mission of FTBNL is to raise funds and awareness for non-profit agencies, working on the front lines, serving disadvantaged youth. FTBNL invests in programs that teach leadership, education and healthy development of families.
FTBNL IMPACT:
4,000 Children Sent to Red Sox & Celtics Games
39 Peter Gammons/FTBNL Scholars Sent to College
$6 Million Granted
Over 200 Non-Profits Served
Peter Gammons/FTBNL College Scholarship presented by RISO allows high-needs but high-potential Boston area High School students a four-year scholarship to the college of their choice, a Gammons caring adult mentor and a laptop computer. Peter Gammons serves on the selection committee.
Central to FTBNL’s work are strategic partnerships with a team of non- profits working on the front lines. These select organizations are dedicated to serving children and families with innovation, excellence, and long-term impact. FTBNL is proud to partner with BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), Citizen Schools, City Year Boston, The Home for Little Wanderers, Horizons for Homeless Children, Roxbury Youthworks, Steps to Success, and West End House Boys & Girls Club. In addition to these partnerships, FTBNL hosts deserving youth at Red Sox and Celtics games throughout the season.
The Hot Stove Cool Music Series is the signature event of FTBNL – Celebrating Music, Baseball and Giving Back. Founded by Peter Gammons, bi-annually, this community gathers to generate significant resources to advance the Foundation’s mission and to share the inspiring impact of the Foundation’s portfolio of non-profit partners. Peter Gammons’ Business of Baseball is also a signature event ~ a corporate lunch moderated by Peter Gammons, with a panel of high-profile executives and players representing Major League Baseball sharing insights on the “enterprise” of America’s favorite pastime.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:
CUBS VS. RED SOX SPRING TRAINING GAMES & EVENTS
MARCH 26 & 27, 2018
JET BLUE PARK, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA
Hot Stove Cool Music CHICAGO
JUNE 8, 2018
METRO WRIGLEYVILLE, CHICAGO
On Friday, there was a fundraising pre-cursor to Saturday’s rock show featuring Bronson Arroyo, Bernie Williams and Scarborough. The lunch, titled “Business of Baseball Champions Lunch”.
The candid forum gave attendees an unparalleled opportunity to ask the expert panel questions in an interactive Q&A session, as the panelists dive into the topic of baseball “then and now.”
