Chamber of Commerce

Good Sports Local Athletic Teams Give Back to Community. By Nathan Walls G iving back to the community is a commitment that the Fayetteville SwampDogs and Fayetteville FireAntz take as seriously as their respective sports of baseball and hockey. Even though the teams' seasons are not year- round, their community service off the field and ice takes place regardless of the season. "We feel that we have been entrusted with a civic treasure in the SwampDogs and must strive to give back on as many fronts as possible," said Darrell Handelsman, the SwampDogs director of operations and head coach. "It's very important for the FireAntz organization and players to be involved with the community," said Jason Fleming, the FireAntz director of media. "It's very easy and rewarding to give back to the community that does so much for us." The SwampDogs are committed to the community in numerous ways, including free mascot appearances, an annual free "Trunk or Treat" celebration, attend- ing little league opening days and donating tickets and merchandise for fundraising. The base- ball organization also gives back through numerous charitable endeavors, like Spare Change for Special Olympics of Cumberland County; an annual "Striking out Cancer" Pink Jersey Auc- tion benefiting the Cape Fear Valley Friends of the Cancer Center; and partnering with the Cumberland County Schools for the Math Club, which is a program designed to help with EOG testing for grades 2 through 5. The FireAntz also visit schools, recreation centers and children in hospitals and they help to promote the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center. The hockey team has partnered with Cape Fear Valley Health System to raise money for the Friends of Children program. The FireAntz work with paratroopers from Ft. Bragg to organize the "Operation Toy Drop Weekend" — when fans donate gifts for children and families on Ft. Bragg and in the community. Both organizations have nu- merous themes to their games, host events in the community and hold sports camps for local kids. With all they do, the SwampDogs and FireAntz are definitely win- ners in the hearts of the Fayette- ville community. H The Fayetteville SwampDogs baseball team and Fayetteville FireAntz hockey team work with charitable organizations throughout the community to raise money and awareness for important causes. www.FayettevilleNCChamber.org | 55

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