FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2013) – The Boston Red Sox kicked off their third annual weeklong series of events and activities with a free public open house at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on Sunday, Feb. 17.

More than 5,000 residents, visitors and fans attended the open house that featured a variety of family-friendly activities. Attendees had an opportunity to walk freely around JetBlue Park and enjoy player autographs, discounted concessions and entertainment on Fenway South Drive – a street festival reminiscent of Yawkey Way in Boston. Much like at Fenway Park in Boston, the street had entertainment including face painting, magicians, a petting zoo, stilt walkers, a bounce house, obstacle course, other games for children and arts and crafts courtesy of the Alliance for the Arts helping children turn recycled Red Sox materials into works of art. As well, to help support Florida’s Blood Center, a blood drive took place during the open house for those who are able to make a blood donation.

“For many years we have supported various fundraisers in Southwest Florida and two years we began adding additional activities to highlight the good work of organizations in Lee County that, every day, are serving people here who are most in need,” said Katie Haas, senior director of Florida business operations. “This year we look forward to branching out even further into the community to celebrate the second year of JetBlue Park and Fenway South and spend time helping even more of our community neighbors.”

The Red Sox will continue the week of community service with uniformed personnel and front office staff volunteering at nonprofits across Southwest Florida; and two longtime fundraising efforts that will help children in need throughout Southwest Florida.

Tuesday, Feb. 19 and Wednesday, Feb. 20, Red Sox uniformed personnel and front office staff will spend the afternoons volunteering at Habitat for Humanity of Lee County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, CCMI’s Backpack Program at Treeline Elementary and the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

The Red Sox Week of Community Service calendar also includes two long-time Red Sox charitable events – the 8th annual Evening with the Red Sox benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County on Monday, Feb. 18th at JetBlue Park and the 20th annual Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Classic golf tournament benefiting the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Forest Country Club in South Fort Myers.

2013 RED SOX WEEK OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Monday, Feb. 18 – 8th Annual Evening with the Red Sox benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
For the 8th consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox will host Evening with the Red Sox benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County to be held at JetBlue Park from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The evening will include an opportunity for autographs with Red Sox players, live and silent auctions featuring Red Sox memorabilia, regular season game packages, vacation packages and local golf and restaurant experiences. Red Sox Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sam Kennedy will serve as the evening’s guest speaker.

  • JetBlue Park at Fenway South: 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913

Tuesday, Feb. 19 – Day of Community Service 

On Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m., members of the Red Sox uniform personnel and front office staff will perform community service at two nonprofit agencies in Southwest Florida, including the Habitat for Humanity of Lee County and Big Brothers Big Sister of the Sun Coast. Volunteers will be involved in a variety of activities at each location including the rehabbing of affordable housing for families in need, helping children who may not have a strong male or female presence in their life with homework, arts-n-crafts and outdoor recreational games.

  • Habitat for Humanity of Lee County: Rosemary Park, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
  • Big Brothers Big Sister of the Sun Coast: Heights Community Park/Big Brothers Big Sisters Pavilion, 7340 Concourse Drive, Fort Myers, 33908

Wednesday, Feb. 20 – Day of Community Service 

On Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m., members of the Red Sox uniformed personnel and front office staff will perform community service at two nonprofit agencies in Southwest Florida including CCMI’s Backpack Program at Treeline Elementary and the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. Volunteers will be involved in a variety of activities including filling backpacks with non-perishable food items for local elementary students that otherwise might go without a meal over the weekend and helping fight hunger by helping the food bank package food items that will be sent to feed the needy across Southwest Florida.

 

  • Treeline Elementary: 10900 Treeline Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33913
  • Harry Chapin Food Bank: 3760 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL  33901

Friday, Feb. 22 – 20th Annual Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Classic

Members of the Boston Red Sox uniformed personnel, alumni and front office staff will participate in the 20th annual Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Classic golf tournament being held at The Forest Country Club in South Fort Myers. All proceeds raised will help fund an expansion of The Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, providing extensive medical subspecialty treatments and state-of-the-art lifesaving care for the children of Southwest Florida.

  • The Forest Country Club: 6100 Club Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908

The Red Sox will host 20 games in its second year at the state-of-the-art complex. The team begins its 2013 spring game schedule on Thursday, Feb. 21, with the traditional, single-admission double-header against the Northeastern University Huskies and Boston College Eagles starting at 1:35 p.m.

The 2013 spring slate features eight scheduled night games at JetBlue, including a matchup on Tuesday, March 5, with Team Puerto Rico, which will be preparing for the third World Baseball Classic.

Jodi Hanson and Katie Haas

Jessica and Terri Hernandez

Linda and Wayne Franklin

Merchandise Booth

Nicklaus and Emily Spina

Mona Mathieu, Josh Bleiken and Jessica Hughes

Petting Zoo

The Garbage Men Band