This summer, the Baltimore Orioles and the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) are helping kids at Kennedy Krieger Institute!
Kennedy Krieger is this year’s recipient of SECU’s annual K’s for Kids fundraising campaign. Every time an Orioles pitcher strikes out a batter at Camden Yards, SECU, Maryland’s largest credit union, donates $50 to the Institute.
Not only does the partnership benefit Kennedy Krieger, it also gives the Institute greater exposure and visibility through the SECU and Orioles’ robust public relations campaign—which has included a number of press releases—tied to the partnership. Plus at each home game, the first time an Orioles pitcher strikes out a batter, the field’s upper board announces the donation. The lower boards and LED signs note any donations made thereafter.
Perhaps the most exciting component of the partnership is the opportunity for three Kennedy Krieger patient families to attend a game using the SECU skybox.
On July 17, sisters Olive and Willow, who play wheelchair softball for the Institute’s Bennett Blazers adaptive sports team, and their family watched the Orioles at batting practice, then enjoyed a game from the SECU corporate suite. The Orioles’ mascot bird visited them in the skybox, and their attendance was announced over the loudspeaker. Kennedy Krieger covered the festivities in real time on social media and on the following day on LinkedIn. Two more patient families will enjoy the same experience in mid-August.
In mid-September, one or more Orioles team members will visit Kennedy Krieger’s Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation program, giving patients the opportunity to interact with the players. Follow Kennedy Krieger on social media for live updates from the players’ visit!
