Oklahoma RedHawks Join Forces with the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation to Equip Kids for School

RedHawks Fans who bring designated school supplies will be given free admission to games throughout August

OKLAHOMA CITY, August 2, 2006 — Today the Oklahoma RedHawks and the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation announced they have teamed up to provide school supplies to incoming kindergartners in the Oklahoma City Public School District.  Fans attending any of the 21 games in August are encouraged to bring newly purchased school supplies to the ballpark in exchange for free admission to a game. 

The cost for equipping a kindergartner to attend school is approximately $30-$50.  There are 37,000 students in the Oklahoma City Public Schools and nearly 84% of them are on free or reduced lunch.  For many families, coming up with the funds to provide their kids all the necessary supplies is no easy task. 

            Jennifer Garner, Executive Director of the Foundation said, “The District has been working diligently to improve student performance.  Thanks to the progress they have made and the community support of MAPS for Kids, the District is being recognized at local, state and national levels.  Community efforts such as this make an enormous impact on the lives of our students.  We are very pleased to be partnering with the RedHawks in this initiative.”

The Oklahoma RedHawks recognize their humanitarian role within the community.  Most recently the RedHawks sponsored and organized the building of a house for Habitat for Humanity and last season delivered 75,000 bottles of water to storm-ravaged New Orleans after accepting the water in exchange for game tickets.

“Many of the Oklahoma City kindergartners are our neighbors at the ballpark which makes this project especially important to us. The cost to send children to school continues to rise, and this is our way of helping make a difference for those families in our community.  I am sure our fans will be excited about joining us. Oklahoma City is an incredibly giving community,” said RedHawks Managing General Partner, Scott Pruitt.

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The list of needed supplies is as follows:

• 8 count Crayola crayons/small/non washable
• Crayola Washable thick classic markers
• 4oz Elmer's School glue
• 5" Fiskar blunt scissors
• 160 count Kleenex
• Small Elmer's glue sticks
• Reams of 20lb 81/2 x 11 Copy Paper
• Construction paper
• Back Packs
• Books - age appropriate New/Used

            Fans are asked to bring new supplies from the list above to receive a game ticket.  A tent will be set up outside the ticket office each night of a home game throughout the month of August to receive supplies.  General admission tickets are $6 and the RedHawks would appreciate it if fans would bring an equivalent dollar amount in supplies in exchange for admission. 

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Educating Students for Life-Long Learning and Responsible Living