Home Team Volunteers Hits a Home Run in the Desert

Every spring, the Phoenix Arizona desert becomes a hotspot for all things baseball. Spring Training 2009 was no exception. 15 major league teams set up camp in the desert to kick off the baseball season and Home Team Volunteers joined in the fun. 

In partnership with Delaware North Company, Sports Services, Home Team Volunteers amassed the largest volunteer effort ever for Spring Training.  Working 50 events in 34 days, we provided nearly 4,000 volunteers at Scottsdale Stadium and Camelback Ranch Stadium and raised over $200,000 for our non-profit programs. Those funds will help Canning Hunger in our efforts to feed hungry kids and their families throughout America. As well, Home Team Volunteers will be assisted in our efforts to provide quality on the job training for transitional living residents. (Home Team Volunteers is a program of Canning Hunger, Inc.)

Scottsdale Stadium, the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants, is an idyllic spot for baseball and hosts some of the most loyal fans in the valley. Under the DNC management of Charlie Millerwise, our volunteers enjoyed a great working experience. We staffed a large stand behind homeplate, a Centerfield Grill, plus several smaller portable locations. Everyone involved with the process felt that the partnership was a huge success, citing Home Team Volunteers’ hard work and great attitude as real assets to the stadium.

Camelback Ranch Stadium, in Glendale, had its grand opening this year. As the Spring Training home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox it was the most anticipated new addition to the valley in many years. With much fanfare and high expectations, the stadium did not disappoint. Home Team Volunteers was privileged to provide the staffing for every permanent concession stand in the stadium. Given the inevitable challenges of opening a brand new facility by working 32 of 34 days, DNC and Home Team Volunteers forged a strong bond of partnership and teamwork. With the tireless effort and leadership of DNC’s Bob Newman, Dan Bechtel, and many others we were able to provide a great fan experience for the guests at Camelback Ranch. Home Team Volunteers is extremely proud to have been a part of the historic first season at this beautiful new stadium.

Home Team Volunteers is nothing without our volunteers themselves. Spring Training 2009 posed a big opportunity and a big challenge. As always, our volunteers surprised us with their commitment, attitude and performance. Our volunteers come from many transitional living programs and some came from as far away as Southern California to participate. Congratulations to our volunteers from: Mesa House, Redeemed Outreach, Set Free Phoenix, Set Free San Diego, Set Free North County, Set Free Perris, Tempe Christian Resource Center, Victory Life Phoenix, Victory Life La Puente, and Victory Outreach Phoenix.

Special Recognition goes to our award winning stands for the month:

• Home Plate Stand, Scottsdale Stadium: run by Mesa House and Tempe Christian Resource Center
• Center Field Stand and Portables, Scottsdale Stadium: run by Victory Outreach Phoenix
• Baseline Burgers, Camelback Ranch Stadium: run by Victory Life Phoenix/La Puente

Special thanks to our Area Coordinators Karen Haskell and Mick Jenkins. Also, to Eric Korbluth, Regional Vice President for Delaware North Company, Sports Services. And to Michelle Davis for providing housing that felt like home for our transplanted volunteers. It was truly a team effort.

Onward and Upward for Spring Training 2010!!

Article written by: Scott Whan, National Director of Home Team Volunteers