Our Highlights

14th Annual Night at Citi Field

Another home run Night at Citi Field with enCourage Kids and the New York Mets!

Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, was packed with over 900 enCourage Kids fans celebrating our 14th Annual Night at Citi Field on June 15th. The evening was filled with smiles, especially after the Mets brought home a 10-2 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

New York Mets Citi Field

More than 400 enCourage kids and family members enjoyed pre-game festivities, starting with a barbecue in the Bullpen Gate, sponsored by Aramark. Children sported the New York Mets logo and different animal face paintings, provided by Looney Lenny’s Clown-o-rific. Looney Lenny himself entertained families with magic and laughs throughout the evening while volunteers handed out enCourage Kids t-shirts and foam fingers.

14th Citi Field

Looney Lenny spread laughter and smiles throughout the night.

As per tradition, Mr. Met stole the show when he arrived to greet families. He posed for a photo op with our enCourage kids, families, and the Mets’ Wives. One of the most exciting parts of the evening was watching our enCourage kid Hannah throw out the first pitch to begin the game and naming her top MLB Picks from the team.

“I’ve been a Mets fan all my life and it was very special for me to be on the field and throw out the first pitch!” Hannah shared. “Even though I practiced for weeks, I was very nervous because there were lots of people I didn’t know watching me. I felt like a hero standing on the pitcher’s mound.”

14th Citi Field

Hannah and her dad Bruce were all smiles on the field before Hannah threw out the first pitch.

We would not have been able to provide this amazing night without the contributions and donations from this year’s sponsors, including the New York Mets, who provided 900 tickets to our organization for distribution to donors and the children and families in our program.

14th Citi Field

enCourage kid K.E sported Mr. Met face paint.

For enCourage mom Jane and daughter Indira, attending this event is an escape from everyday life. Over the years the pair has been able to attend three of our Mets outings. “Coming to these events makes you relax. You meet and listen to other families and what they are going through and it is a relief just being at these games,” Jane explained.

“Life is so hectic, but any event that we go to is so relaxing – it’s stress free. You don’t have to worry about anything. What enCourage Kids does for the families is wonderful,” Jane shared.

14th Citi Field

Ja’Mya and her family cheered for the Mets through the entire game.

Nights and outings like this allow many families to come together and bond in a way that they may not be able to at home. “When Zion got diagnosed, everybody was so all over the place, nobody could cope with it but this definitely helps. We start doing more together and they see what family is about when we are at these events,” shared enCourage mom Marina.

Marina and Zion, along with the rest of their family, have been going to the Citi Field game for five years. “There is nothing that I can’t say about enCourage Kids. We meet different families, we exchange stories and you start living in a world where these people understand you and you understand them and we really enjoy and look forward to coming to these events.”

14th Citi Field

The Big Apple section of Citi Field roared with cheers from enCourage kids, families, sponsors and donors.

Kids, parents, and donors alike root, root, rooted for the home team from the Big Apple section of the stadium. Each individual, old friends and new, became one big enCourage Kids cheering section, which helped bring home a big win for the Mets that evening. “Thank you enCourage kids for a very special night that I will always remember – and the Mets WON!” Hannah exclaimed.

14th Citi Field

Mr. Met and the Mets’ wives posed for a photo op with our enCourage kids and Executive Director, Michele.

Thank you to our generous sponsors: New York Mets, Aramark, Cougar Capital LLC, Ernst & Young, Excel Global Security, The Donut Pub, Feil Family Foundation, Scheman & Grant, Clear Channel Outdoor, Principal Building Services, and Savanna Fund.

The night would not have been possible without you!

14th Citi Field

14th Citi Field

14th Citi Field

14th Citi Field

14th Citi Field

 

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