6th Annual Pitch for Israel A Home Run for the Jewish Community
The annual charity baseball tournament has raised $650,000 since being founded in 2008
The 6th Annual Pitch for Israel, an event that raises funds for Israeli children who have been victims of terror, took place recently at Toronto's Powerade Centre.
Founded in 2008 by Toronto resident Daniel Warner, the community-wide charity softball tournament features men’s, women’s, co-ed and new this year, men’s 40+ recreational divisions.
In the six years since its inaugural event, Pitch for Israel has raised $650,000. Roughly $55,000 raised in 2013 with 100% of proceeds supporting One Family Fund and JNF programs in Israel.
Organized in partnership with the Jewish National Fund, One Family Fund Canada and The Tribe Network, 100% of the net proceeds raised during Pitch for Israel will be used to renovate the yards at the Ilanot Special Needs School to make them accessible and safe, as well as provide summer camp programs for children Israeli victims of terror.
"At the end of my Birthright trip to Israel in 2003, our tour guide challenged us to share a piece of Israel with Canadians back home, and this led me to create the Pitch For Israel fundraiser," says Daniel Warner, Director of Marketing and Sales at SnapSaves, a Schulich MBA graduate, and founder of the charity event.
An obvious diehard baseball fan, Warner saw the event as a way to bring friends and family together for a terrific day of baseball, while raising funds to support our community's most vulnerable.
"We are truly proud to have raised over $600,000 for Israelis in need, while strengthening community bonds between Canada and Israel since 2008, thanks to the hard work of our players, committee members, and volunteers, and through the generosity of individual and corporate donors," adds Michael Grossman, Co-Chair of the 2013 tournament.
As one of the largest volunteer-driven Jewish fundraisers in the country, the Pitch for Israel continues to grow each year in total funds raised, teams and community and political support.
"The purpose of the Pitch for Israel came out of the impetus to connect the Jewish Community here in Toronto with the Jewish Community in Israel," explains Grossman. "Each year we are able to achieve that goal through the power of sport. The monies raised on the ground here in Toronto go directly to those in Israel that need it the most. We look forward to continue to provide the opportunity to have Young Jewish Professionals actively engage in making a difference for our partner charities, JNF and One Family Fund, year after year in a fun and meaningful way."
This year's event featured five softball diamonds, beautifully landscaped green space and a wealth of recreational facilities for players, their families and friends to enjoy.
Food and beverages were flowing, and the Powerade Centre served as the perfect location for a fun day of baseball while raising money for those who need it most in our community. What more could a good Jew ask for?
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