The Cincinnati Reds are committed to utilizing our platform to spotlight resources that help our communities. Each month we will highlight a cause or topic and partners working to benefit our community in that area.
UNITY
The Cincinnati Reds are committed to promoting positive initiatives in our community and for fans throughout Reds Country. Below you will have the opportunity to hear from voices within the Reds organization, find out what initiatives we conduct to promote positive change and inclusiveness, learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference in your community and much more.
Let’s unite so that we can raise awareness and education and change our society together.
REDS COUNTRY CARES
JULY – POVERTY AND HUNGER
In the month of July, Reds Country Cares is focusing on battling against poverty and hunger. There are a number of organizations with resources to feed those in need around Reds Country.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Fernando Cruz Assists with Local Food Donation
Reds pitcher Fernando Cruz joined volunteers from Last Mile Food Rescue to donate nearly 350 pounds of food from Great American Ball Park on Monday, July 8.
With the Reds Country Cares program focused on battling poverty and hunger in July, Cruz’s efforts came at the perfect time. The group arrived at Washington United Church of Christ, one of Last Mile's partner agencies, with a load of corn, sunflower seeds, potatoes and other produce that will later be used for community meals.
"We feed 47,000 people a day, and with 10 games in a row, inevitably we have some leftover food,” Ari Rubin, assistant general manager of Delaware North at Great American Ball Park said. “A lot of our managers are from here in Cincinnati, so it's really great to be able to give back. We partnered with Last Mile back in 2021 and it's been a great partnership ever since."
Every three to four games, the Reds and Delaware North donate extra goods to Last Mile. Typically, representatives from Last Mile will come pick up the food, however on Monday, Cruz took over the role. After he unloaded the donation, Cruz helped Pastor Melissa Stephens pass out community meals. The two chatted with Camp Washington residents and Cruz even signed a few autographs. He also spent time with the children attending a youth camp within the congregation.
Cruz & Family Visit Freestore Foodbank
Volunteers are an essential part of Freestore Foodbank’s operation, which strives to eliminate hunger throughout Reds Country. It takes about 60,000 volunteer hours to help distribute the 40 million meals the foodbank supplies in Cincinnati and beyond. In late June, Reds pitcher Fernando Cruz and his family joined in the effort with a shift at the Bea Taylor Market.
Lou Gehrig Day - June 9
The Reds celebrated Major League Baseball’s fourth annual Lou Gehrig Day on June 9 at Great American Ball Park.
Since 2021, Major League Baseball has recognized Lou Gehrig Day across the league on June 2. The date marks when Gehrig became the Yankees’ starting first baseman, cementing the start of his incredible streak of consecutive games played, and signifies the day he passed from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The focus of Lou Gehrig Day is to remember the legacy of Gehrig and all those lost to the disease that bears his name; raise awareness and funds for research of ALS; and celebrate the groups and individuals who have led the pursuit for cures.
The Reds were on the road June 2 of this season, so they teamed up with local groups to raise awareness and funds for ALS through a variety of pregame and in-game activation during Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Scholarship
- As a finalist for the award, Reds pitcher Hunter Greene created a scholarship for a member of a local family affected by ALS. This year’s recipient is Chloe Telgkamp from Mariemont. Chloe’s high school lacrosse coach passed away from ALS and her sister was recently diagnosed with ALS.
ALS Triple Play Initiative
- During the pregame ceremonies, the Reds honored three local ALS charities: Chair Force 1 Foundation, Always Lifting Spirits, and Operation Ramp It Up. These organizations are partners with the Reds on the “ALS Triple Play Initiative.”
Moment of Remembrance
- A moment of remembrance was held in honor of Adam Wilson, a Cincinnati native and longtime Reds fan, who passed away in January after his long battle with ALS. Adam was instrumental in helping Major League Baseball establish the league-wide Lou Gehrig Day.
First Pitch
- John Barlow from West Chester offered up a ceremonial pitch on behalf of Strike Out ALS, ALS United Ohio and people with ALS.
Kroger First Responder
- Jim Robb, a retired Cincinnati police officer who is battling ALS, was honored as the Kroger First Responder of the game.
News of the Game
- The News of the Game scoreboard feature highlighted the inaugural Q4A Cure barbeque picnic that took place on June 1 at Smoke Justis in Covington. The event raised over $40,000 for the ALS Association.
PRIDE NIGHT – JUNE 7
In partnership with Cincinnati Pride, many of the activations on Friday, June 7, celebrated Pride Night at the ballpark.
- Pregame ceremonies included the presentation of the Pride Community Advocate Award, presented by PNC, to Michael Cotrell. Michael has helped raise over $180,000 for LGBTQ+ charities and has served on the boards of ISQCCBE, PFLAG, Cincinnati PRIDE, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- Shelly Buechal, festival beverage co-chair for Cincinnati Pride, offered up a ceremonial first pitch.
- In addition, fans had the opportunity to purchase a Pride Ticket Package presented by To Be Me, featuring a limited-edition Reds hat.
3 schools create meaningful art through Murals with a Mission
This spring, the Cincinnati Reds and PNC continued their partnership away from the field with three additions to their program, Murals With A Mission, powered by PNC.
Armed with the talents of local artist Brent Billingsley, the organizations launched the initiative in 2022 with the intention of creating lasting works of art at high school campuses across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that elevate positive social messages relevant to each school’s student body.
The first four participating schools included Princeton, Mason, Loveland and Dixie Heights. In 2024, they have been joined by Colerain, Madeira and Sycamore.
“Both the Reds and PNC believe in giving back to the community and creating a culture where everyone is welcome, included and valued,” PNC president of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Warren Weber said. “When we talk about our best days in banking, sometimes it has nothing to do with banking and everything to do with community. To have partners like the Reds and Brent just brings that out and we connect with the community in a way that sometimes we can’t duplicate in banking.”
YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REDS MAKING AN IMPACT WITH RCF SCHOLARS
The Reds Community Fund (RCF) is focused on developing student-athletes into Major League Citizens, which is the objective of its newest program, RCF Scholars.
REDS YOUTH ACADEMY
The P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy is a state-of-the-art facility that supports thousands of kids and coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area. The academy serves as the home for the Cincinnati RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities) program, along with year-round baseball and softball clinics and activities for players and educational sessions for coaches. In addition to on-field instruction, academy programs also provide academic tutoring, mentoring and life-building opportunities for the young people who need it most.
COMMUNITY NIGHTS
The Reds are proud to celebrate diversity and inclusion at the ballpark. Our Community Nights are one of the ways we like to honor our city's rich culture and heritage.
MURALS WITH A MISSION
Launched in 2022, “Murals With A Mission” powered by PNC Bank is an initiative that aims to create a mural at high school campuses across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that elevates positive social messages relevant to each school’s student body. Local artist Brent Billingsley works with student organizations to develop the message and artwork.
MLB INITIATIVES
The Cincinnati Reds partner with Major League Baseball on a number of programs and initiatives throughout each season that promotes diversity and inclusion.
2024 MLB CALENDAR OF EVENTS
- April 15 – Jackie Robinson Day
- May – Mental Health Awareness
- May 12 – Mother’s Day
- May 17-19 – Armed Forces Weekend (Military Appreciation)
- May 27 – Memorial Day
- June 2 – Lou Gehrig Day (4th Anniversary)
- June 14-16 – PLAY BALL Weekend
- June 16 – Father’s Day
- September 1 – Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
- September 11 – September 11th Remembrance
- September 15 – Roberto Clemente Day
- October 17 – Spirit Day
SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Cincinnati Reds are committed to turning words into action as we all look for ways to promote equality and social justice in our society. We can all come together to drive positive change and make a difference in our communities.
KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING
While we strive to be a leader in making positive change, we also understand that we do not have all of the answers. Please let us know any feedback you have or suggestions for what we can do better as we look ahead to make a difference.
We also encourage you to keep the conversation going however you can. Get involved by discussing your thoughts and opinions with others on social media. Plan events in your community to bring people of all backgrounds together. It’s only through education, sharing and understanding that we can create true, lasting change.