| For Immediate Release May 31, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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1,300 STUDENTS HIT 5TH ANNUAL ANGELS ANTI-GANG CHALLENGE OUT OF THE BALLPARK
*Media interested in attending this event are asked to arrive at Angel Stadium at 3:00 p.m. to obtain a press pass
ORANGE COUNTY – In an ongoing effort to keep children out of gangs, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Angels) will open their gates Monday, June 3, 2013, for the fifth consecutive year to over 1,300 at-risk students as a reward for improved behavior and for staying out of gangs. This is the largest-ever number of students to participate and succeed in the challenge.
The students will arrive at 3:00 p.m. and have early access to Angel Stadium, where they will be seated behind the dugout and be greeted by a surprise Angels player prior to the team’s stretch and warm up. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. when the Angels face the Houston Astros.
More than 1,300 students, ages 9 to 13, in grades 4 through 8, will attend the game. They come from 34 schools, including 28 elementary schools, and six middle schools in the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, Orange, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Stanton, and unincorporated North Orange County. The 1,300 students will be accompanied by 100 teacher chaperones, all as guests of the Angels, who donated over 1,400 tickets and free parking in support of the anti-gang efforts by Orange County law enforcement and schools.
The names of the 34 schools will be displayed on the Angel Vision JumboTron during the game, and representatives from Saddleback Church will entertain the students with games and prizes after the students watch the Angels’ batting practice. Law enforcement personnel will be in attendance to congratulate the students, including Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. The students will receive meals provided by the Orange County Gang Investigators Association and a donation from former Angel and current Detroit Tiger Torii Hunter.
In September 2012, students with severe behavioral problems, including some with as many as 10 suspensions in one school year, were identified by the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) as being high-risk for gang exposure and activity. With an end-reward of attending an Angels game as a VIP guest, the students were challenged to complete the school year with improved attendance and grades, no suspensions, and involvement in positive after-school activities.
Remarks
“The Angels are proud and privileged to be part of such an impactful program,” said Tim Mead, Angels VP of Communications. “The positive impact of OC GRIP is something that can be measured in the present, as well as the future. The vision of Tracy Rinauro, the OC District Attorney’s Office, and local law enforcement has not only been realized, it continues to expand. We are excited to partner with such dedicated and passionate individuals as they continue to make a difference in the lives of the 1,400 youngsters, their families, and numerous communities throughout Orange County.”