Bids for Kids

Jun 15, 2004

RBI – Bids for Kids

With celebrities like Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron and Al Roker (of the Today Show), General Managers Jim Duquette and Omar Minaya from the Mets and Montrael, as well as Braves Executive Director Bill Bartholomay and North Fork Bank Executive Vice President Daniel M. Healy, this had to be a smash event. It was, partly because of the celebrities, and partly because of what Harlem RBI is doing for the kids—giving them the opportunity to play, learn and grow via youth, sports and education programs for out inner city youths.Harlem RBI Executive Director Richard A. Berlin commented on Bill Bartholomay and Dan M. Healy’s extreme dedication and devotion to our city’s youths. He further commented that the team aspect of Harlem RBI’s youth sports program goes far toward accomplishing Harlem RBI’s mission of bringing positive experiences to youths as a result of having these youths partake in the common goal of a team (baseball or softball).Now in its thirteenth year, Harlem RBI was originally launched for the purpose of linking the valuable principles of youth development with sports activity and team participation. This East Harlem-based not-for-profit organization, through inspiration of the youths it helps, allows these youths to better recognize their true potential, turning their dreams into a reality, by giving them opportunities to play, learn and grow. Harlem RBI caters to below-poverty-line East Harlem youths, Harlem RBI represents a safe haven and structured environment which shields them from the streets, which is where they would ordinarily end up given where they are from. Of the Black and Hispanic youths which regularly participate in Harlem RBI’s programs, representing 90% of Harlem RBI’s participants, 80% of those who finished high school or received their GED have been moved on to college. Incidentally, through Harlem RBI’s integrated educational program, it has successfully kept 99.2% of its female black youths from becoming teenage parents.According to Mr. Berlin’s comments, which are based on research, participation in after-school programs like Harlem RBI results in both better behavior in school as well as better cooperation with authority figures. Harlem RBI is affiliated with Major League Baseball. Not only is it free of charge, but it also does not restrict entry into its programs to those who’s grades or athletic ability cross a certain threshold. Its only requirement is that a youth makes the long-term commitment to participate in its year-round programs and activities.This was a phenomenal event. When Richard Berlin, Harlem RBI’s Executive Director got up on stage, he reported that, while Harlem RBI started out years with one hundred and fifty youths and a mere budget of $150,000, it now boasts a membership of 450 (triple), and a $2M year-round budget. Everyone applauded. He also recognized Bill Bartholomay and Dan M. Healy for their outstanding support of Harlem RBI and the youths it helps. Recently, the organization acquired a $150,000 grant for the purpose of rebuilding its ball field.When Hank Aaron, baseball’s most outstanding hitter of all time, took the stage, he spoke about his long-time good friend Dale Bartholemew (Chairman of the board and a close friend for over 31 years.) He talked briefly about how baseball became a passion for him.Bill Bartholomay, the first honoree, spoke about how he, himself, had become involved in baseball since he was a young age, and also about Hank, and the greater hitter he was (and still is), while Dan M. Healy, after receiving his award, spoke about Harlem RBI having yet another festive year because of all of the supportive efforts of its staff, pointing out that Harlem RBI builds both the mental and the physical skills necessary in order for these East Harlem youths to be able to be effective in today’s world.This was a great, dynamic event, with a large crowd of people who gathered, all in support of the works of Harlem RBI. There was even an opportunity for one person at each table to buy the decorated (baseball) base in the center of their table, after holding it up for a one-time $500.bid in support of the kids. The bases were decorated by the very youths that Harlem RBI has helped.

A little about the honorees. Bill Bartholomay, named Chairman Emeritus and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Braves in 2004, was previously Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Braves since their move to Atlanta in 1966. He has witnessed his team win 11 division championships, five National League pennants and one World Series. The Braves won their first division title in 1969, repeated in 1982, won National League Pennants in 1991 and 1992, another N.I West crown in 1993, a World Championship in 1995, another pennant in 1996 and division titles in 1997 and 1998. The team won its fifth National League pennant in 1999 and a ninth straight division title in 2000.Daniel M. Healy is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of North Forth Bankcorporation (North Fork) whose principal subsidiary is North Fork Bank. North Fork ranks among the nation’s top 50 bank holding companies and is the industry leader in terms of shareholder returns and profitability. Mr. Healy has been an integral part of the senior management team of North Fork since joining the company in 1992. His responsibilities include all areas of corporate strategy, including mergers and acquisitions, internal and external financial reporting, capital formation, liquidity and risk management, internal controls, corporate governance, investor relations, investor relations, human resources and asset management. In his position, he has led the successful negotiation and integration of numerous acquisitions. The company trades under the NFB symbol on the New York stock Exchange and is included in the S&P 500 index.Henry L. Aaron is Senior Vice President of Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. He also serves as Vice President of Business Development for the CNN Airport Network, the service that provides customized news and information programming at airports around the United States. Prior to joining Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Aaron enjoyed a 23-year major league career during which he rewrote baseball’s hitting record book. He holds more major league batting records than any other player in the game’s history, including the most home runs, lifetime, 755 and most runs batted in, lifetime, 2,297. On May 17, 1970, Aaron became the first player to compile both 3,000 career hits and more than 400 homers. Aaron was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, NY, on August 1, 1982. Aaron is actively involved in entrepreneurial enterprises as Chairman of the board of 755 Restaurant Corp., a franchisee of Church’s Chicken, Popeye’s, and Krispy Kreme in the Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina market areas. He recently opened a BMW card dealership in South Atlanta.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Harlem RBI may visit their website at http://www.harlemrbi.org.

Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.)