 | | | Lafayette Little League team, the Pirates, smile under the Chaney Field sign. Photo Barbie Bocks
| | | | | | Since 2008, Lafayette Little League has collected and donated over $25,000 through its "Runs for ALS" program that directly benefits The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. Created in 2007 by board members Matt Chaney and Brian Griggs, LLL teams contribute 50 cents for each run they score throughout the season. This year's event raised more than $8,000 alone.
The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), through global research and nationwide advocacy, while also empowering people with the disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.
"All 10 Majors teams participated in the Runs for ALS program this year, with more than 170 families in AA through Majors contributing to the program for the 2013 season (nearly half of all families in those divisions)," said Craig Bocks, player agent and executive board member of LLL. "The largest single family donation was $300, which means that there was a lot of participation among families and teams."
The largest single team donations by division were: Majors Giants ($736), AAA Phillies & Pirates ($495), and AA Cardinals ($575).
As the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig's disease on every front, The ALS Association leads the way in research, care services, public education, and public policy - providing help and hope to those facing the disease. The Golden West Chapter champions integrated, community-based care services, and supports 12 multidisciplinary ALS clinics including two ALS Association Certified Centers of Excellence in San Francisco. It provides education and community outreach, funds global, cutting-edge research, and promotes important federal and state public policy initiatives on behalf of the entire ALS community.
"This program would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of Craig Bocks, as well as all the LLL Board of Directors, managers, coaches, families, and the players," said Matt Chaney, who has been living with ALS since 2001.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA