Phillies 2008 Winter Tour to begin next week
This month the National League East Champion Phillies will be reaching out to fans across the Delaware Valley through the 39th annual Winter Tour. Among the events scheduled are a new Phillies Kids Phest ... volunteer projects throughout the city on MLK Day ... a mall appearance and various banquets for charity that include free autograph sessions ... numerous youth and community group visits ... and exclusive player chats at www.phillies.com.
PUBLIC EVENTS
Thursday, January 17 - Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet, Genetti Hotel (200 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA), 6:30 p.m. For tickets call 570-326-3389 or go to www.crosscutters.com. Proceeds to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lycoming County & Hope Enterprises. Attending: Catcher Chris Coste, Pitcher Kyle Kendrick, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Harry Kalas and Director of Minor Leagues Steve Noworyta. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Friday, January 18 - Lakewood BlueClaws Banquet, Eagle Ridge Golf Course (2 Augusta Boulevard, Lakewood, NJ). Banquet: 7:00 p.m. For tickets call 732-901-7000. Proceeds to benefit various charities. More info at www.blueclaws.com. Attending: Coste, Kendrick, Manager Charlie Manuel, Broadcaster Tom McCarthy and Noworyta. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Saturday, January 19 - Autographs at the Harrisburg Mall (I-83 and Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA), noon - 1:30 p.m. Attending: Coste, Kendrick and Bullpen Coach Ramon Henderson. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Tuesday, January 22 - Garry Maddox Bowling Tournament, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the La Martinique Bowling Lanes in Stratford, NJ. Proceeds benefit the Maddox Youth Golf and Academics Program (YGAP). For lane reservations call Kerry Williams at 856-756-0222. Attending: Pitchers Brett Myers and JC Romero, Outfielder Shane Victorino, Coach Milt Thompson, Dick Allen, Von Hayes, plus other alumni and celebrities. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Wednesday, January 23 -IronPigs Phillies Caravan Banquet, University Center at DeSales University (2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA). VIP reception: 5:15 - 5:50 p.m.; Banquet: 6:45 p.m. Proceeds benefit IronPigs Charities, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. Tickets: $65 each or $550 for a table of nine. Championship tables, allowing entrance to a private pre-event reception and opportunity to mingle with event VIPs also available. Call 610-435-3001 or go to www.ironpigs.com. Attending: Myers, Outfielder Geoff Jenkins, Manuel, General Manager Pat Gillick, Assistant General Manager Mike Arbuckle, Noworyta and Kalas..."Phillies Night at the 76ers," 7:00 p.m., Wachovia Center (76ers vs. Detroit) - featuring a half-time shootout. Tickets can be ordered at www.sixers.com. Attending: 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins, Romero and Victorino. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Thursday, January 24 - Reading "King of Baseballtown" Banquet & Fundraiser, Reading Sheraton Hotel (1741 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, PA). Banquet: 6:30 p.m. More info and tickets ($55.00) are available at www.readingphillies.com, by phone at 610-375-8469 or at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office. Proceeds benefit Reading Phillies Baseballtown Charities. Attending: Pitcher Brad Lidge, Romero, Victorino, Kalas, Manuel, Arbuckle and Noworyta. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Saturday, January 26 - Register on www.phillies.com until Wed. Jan. 16 for an opportunity to attend two exclusive family-fun events at Citizens Bank Park: Phillies Kids Phest, noon - 3:30 p.m. and Comcast SportsNet's "Meet the Phillies" taping, noon - 1:00 p.m. Details at www.phillies.com.
Monday, January 28 - Philadelphia Sportswriters Banquet, Crowne Plaza Hotel (Route 70, Cherry Hill, NJ). Among the sports celebrities being honored are Rollins and Manuel. Kalas is the emcee. More info and tickets ($75) are available by calling 609-702-7473, emailing pswadinner@yahoo.com or at www.pswa.org. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
APPEARANCES WITH YOUTH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
Thursday, January 17 - Tour of the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum (525 Route 15 Highway, South Williamsport, PA) at 3:45 p.m. Attending: Coste, Kendrick, Kalas and Noworyta. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
Monday, January 21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Festivities including:
• Building a new library and reading room with the Urban League of Philadelphia and IKEA for children in grades K-3 at a local school. Attending: Broadcaster Scott Franzke and Phillies Ballgirls. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
• Celebrity readers at the KIPP Philadelphia Read-A-Thon event. Attending: Kalas and Scott Palmer. The Phillies also helped to build the school's library during last year's Winter Tour. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
• "Story Time" at the National Constitution Center's celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. (525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA). Thompson and others will read from a selection of books related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
• 26th Annual Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association Luncheon, Sheraton Hotel (17th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA). For tickets call 215-751-9300. Attending: Thompson, Allen and Director of Community Relations Gene Dias. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Wednesday, January 23 - Victorino and Romero will speak to and sign autographs for close to 150 Latino children in what has become an annual visit for the Phillies at CONCILIO, which provides opportunities to the most disadvantaged in North Philadelphia to obtain employment, health services, family counseling, education, and more. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
Thursday, January 24 - Brett Myers will be a guest reader at a local, top performing school in the Phillies Be a Phanatic About Reading program presented by Verizon. The event will also feature a visit from the Phanatic. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
ONLINE CHATS
Friday, January 11 - Chat with assistant general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., 3:00 p.m., www.phillies.com.
Wednesday, January 16 - Chat with outfielder Pat Burrell, 5:15 p.m., www.phillies.com.
Thursday, January 17 - Chat with All-Star Chase Utley, 3:30 p.m., www.phillies.com.
*Note: Player listings are subject to change.
This month the National League East Champion Phillies will be reaching out to fans across the Delaware Valley through the 39th annual Winter Tour. Among the events scheduled are a new Phillies Kids Phest ... volunteer projects throughout the city on MLK Day ... a mall appearance and various banquets for charity that include free autograph sessions ... numerous youth and community group visits ... and exclusive player chats at www.phillies.com.
PUBLIC EVENTS
Thursday, January 17 - Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet, Genetti Hotel (200 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA), 6:30 p.m. For tickets call 570-326-3389 or go to www.crosscutters.com. Proceeds to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lycoming County & Hope Enterprises. Attending: Catcher Chris Coste, Pitcher Kyle Kendrick, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Harry Kalas and Director of Minor Leagues Steve Noworyta. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Friday, January 18 - Lakewood BlueClaws Banquet, Eagle Ridge Golf Course (2 Augusta Boulevard, Lakewood, NJ). Banquet: 7:00 p.m. For tickets call 732-901-7000. Proceeds to benefit various charities. More info at www.blueclaws.com. Attending: Coste, Kendrick, Manager Charlie Manuel, Broadcaster Tom McCarthy and Noworyta. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Saturday, January 19 - Autographs at the Harrisburg Mall (I-83 and Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA), noon - 1:30 p.m. Attending: Coste, Kendrick and Bullpen Coach Ramon Henderson. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Tuesday, January 22 - Garry Maddox Bowling Tournament, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the La Martinique Bowling Lanes in Stratford, NJ. Proceeds benefit the Maddox Youth Golf and Academics Program (YGAP). For lane reservations call Kerry Williams at 856-756-0222. Attending: Pitchers Brett Myers and JC Romero, Outfielder Shane Victorino, Coach Milt Thompson, Dick Allen, Von Hayes, plus other alumni and celebrities. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Wednesday, January 23 -IronPigs Phillies Caravan Banquet, University Center at DeSales University (2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA). VIP reception: 5:15 - 5:50 p.m.; Banquet: 6:45 p.m. Proceeds benefit IronPigs Charities, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. Tickets: $65 each or $550 for a table of nine. Championship tables, allowing entrance to a private pre-event reception and opportunity to mingle with event VIPs also available. Call 610-435-3001 or go to www.ironpigs.com. Attending: Myers, Outfielder Geoff Jenkins, Manuel, General Manager Pat Gillick, Assistant General Manager Mike Arbuckle, Noworyta and Kalas..."Phillies Night at the 76ers," 7:00 p.m., Wachovia Center (76ers vs. Detroit) - featuring a half-time shootout. Tickets can be ordered at www.sixers.com. Attending: 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins, Romero and Victorino. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Thursday, January 24 - Reading "King of Baseballtown" Banquet & Fundraiser, Reading Sheraton Hotel (1741 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, PA). Banquet: 6:30 p.m. More info and tickets ($55.00) are available at www.readingphillies.com, by phone at 610-375-8469 or at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office. Proceeds benefit Reading Phillies Baseballtown Charities. Attending: Pitcher Brad Lidge, Romero, Victorino, Kalas, Manuel, Arbuckle and Noworyta. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Saturday, January 26 - Register on www.phillies.com until Wed. Jan. 16 for an opportunity to attend two exclusive family-fun events at Citizens Bank Park: Phillies Kids Phest, noon - 3:30 p.m. and Comcast SportsNet's "Meet the Phillies" taping, noon - 1:00 p.m. Details at www.phillies.com.
Monday, January 28 - Philadelphia Sportswriters Banquet, Crowne Plaza Hotel (Route 70, Cherry Hill, NJ). Among the sports celebrities being honored are Rollins and Manuel. Kalas is the emcee. More info and tickets ($75) are available by calling 609-702-7473, emailing pswadinner@yahoo.com or at www.pswa.org. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
APPEARANCES WITH YOUTH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
Thursday, January 17 - Tour of the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum (525 Route 15 Highway, South Williamsport, PA) at 3:45 p.m. Attending: Coste, Kendrick, Kalas and Noworyta. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
Monday, January 21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Festivities including:
• Building a new library and reading room with the Urban League of Philadelphia and IKEA for children in grades K-3 at a local school. Attending: Broadcaster Scott Franzke and Phillies Ballgirls. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
• Celebrity readers at the KIPP Philadelphia Read-A-Thon event. Attending: Kalas and Scott Palmer. The Phillies also helped to build the school's library during last year's Winter Tour. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
• "Story Time" at the National Constitution Center's celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. (525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA). Thompson and others will read from a selection of books related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
• 26th Annual Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association Luncheon, Sheraton Hotel (17th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA). For tickets call 215-751-9300. Attending: Thompson, Allen and Director of Community Relations Gene Dias. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Wednesday, January 23 - Victorino and Romero will speak to and sign autographs for close to 150 Latino children in what has become an annual visit for the Phillies at CONCILIO, which provides opportunities to the most disadvantaged in North Philadelphia to obtain employment, health services, family counseling, education, and more. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
Thursday, January 24 - Brett Myers will be a guest reader at a local, top performing school in the Phillies Be a Phanatic About Reading program presented by Verizon. The event will also feature a visit from the Phanatic. MEDIA EVENT ONLY.
ONLINE CHATS
Friday, January 11 - Chat with assistant general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., 3:00 p.m., www.phillies.com.
Wednesday, January 16 - Chat with outfielder Pat Burrell, 5:15 p.m., www.phillies.com.
Thursday, January 17 - Chat with All-Star Chase Utley, 3:30 p.m., www.phillies.com.
*Note: Player listings are subject to change.
