Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1475157
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 3 - 9, 2022 UCW 19 Baseball fans know the roar of the crowds, the smell of stadium food and the high-energy environment of a baseball game can be an amazing experience. But for some fans, those same components make attending games in person difficult to enjoy. With this in mind, the Fayetteville Woodpeck- ers will hold its first-ever "Abilities Awareness Day" on Aug. 14 at Segra Stadium. Embracing an attitude of inclusivity, the Woodpeckers is partnering with ServiceSource, Miller's Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center to celebrate all abilities and sensitivities with a day of fun for the whole family. e event will begin at 2:05 p.m., during the Woodpeckers vs. the Down East Wood Ducks game, and will feature a number of activities, stations and opportunities for everyone and every body on the ability spectrum. Fans will be able to enjoy sensory stations built by Bravery Gym along the concourse during the game. ey will also have access to a sensory- friendly space if they become over- whelmed or want to take a break from the environment without having to leave. Guests can also check out sensory bags, which are available at guest services during every game and contain headphones, fidget toys and cue cards. Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Buddy Sports baseball team will stand with the Woodpeckers during the na- tional anthem and Special Olympics Cumberland County athletes will have the opportunity to participate in a free baseball skills clinic before the game gets underway. During the game, Houston Astros autographed baseballs will be auc- tioned off to benefit ServiceSource, Miller's Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center. e Millers Crew food truck, which acts as a training environment for ado- lescents and adults with developmen- tal challenges, will also be on-site. e Abilities Awareness Day is one of many events organized this year that focuses on serving, supporting or celebrating the community. e organization held a ben- efit concert this past March to help Cumberland County families with rent and utilities and will host its first school supply drive on Aug. 5. Up & Coming Weekly spoke to Woodpeckers' Media and Community Relations Manager, Kristen Nett, about the organization's push toward a more community-forward focus and the importance of events like this one. "We care about providing an inclu- sive environment for everybody — just because we have screaming fans doesn't mean we can't also make a space for people sensitive to that. We want to support our Special Olympics and our Sport's Buddies here in town. e Woodpeckers have a passion for helping others, and we want to use our platform to benefit the community; it's our responsibility to do what we can to support it." Visit http://fayettevillewoodpeckers. com/tickets or the Truist Box Office at Segra Stadium to purchase tickets. To learn more about Ability Aware- ness Day, visit www.milb.com/fay- etteville. Segra Stadium is located at 460 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. Fayetteville Woodpeckers host Abilities Awareness Day by ASHLEY SHIRLEY ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 EVENT Lumb e e Gu ar ant y B a nk .c o m Great news from Lumbee Guaranty Bank! Open a Lumbee Perks checking account, and get so much more than full-service checking and convenient banking. Our personal checking accounts come with benefits that save you money and provide peace of mind: • Free Debit Card and Online and Mobile Banking 1 • Discounts on Shopping, Dining, and Travel 2 • Fuel Savings • Cell Phone Protection 3 • Identity Theft Aid 3,4 • And More! Stop by our nearest branch, or visit our website for details on our Lumbee Perks accounts. Benefits subject to additional terms and conditions and vary based on account product opened. 1 For Online and Mobile Banking, mobile carrier messaging and data rates may apply. 2 Participating merchants are not sponsors of the program, subject to change without notice, may not be available in all regions, and may choose to limit deals. 3 Insurance products are NOT A DEPOSIT, NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK, MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE. 4 Identity monitoring and credit monitoring each require additional activation to begin. Get Instant Savings Get Instant Savings with with Members of the Parks and Recreation Buddy Sports baseball team will stand with the Wood- peckers during the national anthem at the Aug. 14 game. (Photo of previous event courtesy of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers)