Pirates and Pirates Charities to Adopt Six Manatee County Elementary and Middle Schools

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today plans to support six Manatee County elementary and middle schools, in partnership with the Mosaic Company and the Manatee Education Foundation, as part of Pirates Charities Adopt-a-School program. The Pirates Charities initiative is aimed at providing much needed aid to schools throughout the Bradenton/Manatee County area.

Wakeland Elementary School of International Studies, Ballard Elementary School, G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School, Myakka City Elementary and Martha B. King Middle School will receive a combined $30,000 through the program in 2016. The funds will be utilized to help purchase items such as school supplies, books and in Wakeland’s situation, help to revitalize an initiative that will strengthen their reading/literacy program.

The Pirates along with the Mosaic Company and the Manatee Education Foundation will visit James Tillman Elementary Magnet School on Friday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to formally announce the program and specific donations.

During the school visit, Pirates Charities and representatives from each organization will take part in a noon check presentation, provide lunch to the more than 580 students as well as play games, distribute prizes and more. Also, throughout the months of April and May the Bradenton Marauders will visit with the remaining schools.

One of the pillars of the Pirates Charities mission is a focus on youth and youth education. In Manatee County, Pittsburgh and the Dominican Republic, Pirates Charities supports schools and educational initiatives. Pirates Charities launched the ”Adopt-A-School“ program in Bradenton in 2014.

As part of Major League Baseball’s annual Roberto Clemente Day celebration each year, the Pirates official philanthropic arm identifies a Pittsburgh area school to adopt in honor of the Pirates’ legend. On that day, Pirates players, coaches, executives and front office staff hand deliver much needed supplies and participate in a school program.