HOPE Week

2024 HOPE Week

Introduced in 2009, the Yankees’ HOPE Week initiative (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture.

Starting on July 23rd, the Tampa Tarpons will highlight and shine a spotlight on a different individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support. Each day is designed so honorees can share their inspirational stories with the Tarpons’ players, coaches, staff and fans, while being treated to a fun day with the team.

2024 HOPE Week Honorees

Tuesday, July 23rd - Happy Tails / Mercy Full Project

Happy Tails / Mercy Full Project

Founded by Arina Khona, a rising senior at The University of Tampa, Happy Tails was created when Arina realized an alarming lack of resources being allocated to local animal shelters in Tampa, Florida. In collaboration with the Mercy Full project, Happy Tails’ mission is to provide these local shelters with a stable income, so they can focus their time and energy on saving animals. A key initiative of Happy Tails is to encourage the adoption of animals from local shelters rather than purchasing them online, while also advocating against inhumane practices.

Every month, Happy Tails hosts events at the University of Tampa where students interact with dogs and make donations for the local shelters. With a diverse executive board representing various majors, Happy Tails has grown to over 300 members and has raised nearly $20,000 in donations for Mercy Full Project Animal Rescue (MFP), a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and rehabilitating animals in need.

On behalf of Happy Tails, Arina Khona will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Tuesday's Tarpons game.

Click the link to see how to contribute to the Mercy Full Project: Mercyfullprojects.org/donate

Wednesday, July 24th - Yes Queen Dress Drive

Yes Queen Dress Drive

Yes Queen Dress Drive is a pop-up boutique, offering free Prom and Homecoming dresses to high school students who need financial assistance. They host two-to-three pop-ups per year, partnering with local schools in the New Tampa area. Since its founding in 2022, Yes Queen Dress Drive has distributed approximately 175 dresses and a multitude of formal shoes, free of charge.

On behalf of Yes Queen Dress Drive, Lacey Henning will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Wednesday’s Tarpons game.

Click the link to see Yes Queen Dress Drive's wish list: Yes Queen Dress Drive Wish List

Thursday, July 25th - Specially Fit Foundation

Specially Fit Foundation

The Specially Fit Foundation was founded by Mark Oliver, a local University of South Florida graduate dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through comprehensive support and inclusive programs. Individuals learn essential life skills for independence, along with fostering social skills for active community participation. They offer animal therapy at the Specially Fit Farm to help enrich participants' lives through meaningful interactions with animals. The caring and compassionate team at Specially Fit Foundation utilizes therapeutic exercises and skillful manual therapy techniques to improve mobility, communication, and physical health.

Specially Fit’s fitness program provides free workouts for individuals with unique abilities and the program has become one of the largest in the region. Since its inception, the foundation has grown from serving a single individual to impacting hundreds across the state.

On behalf of the Specially Fit Foundation, Mark Oliver will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Thursday’s Tarpons game.

Click the link to see how to contribute, which provides year-round workouts, Special Olympic training, and much more: Contribute to Specially Fit Foundation's Mission

Website: https://jrzmarketing.wixsite.com/specialityfit

Friday, July 26th - St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Foundation

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Foundation

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital treats more children than any other hospital in Tampa Bay, so parents can rest assured their child will receive the best expert care close to home in Tampa. Parents have the confidence of knowing that the specialized pediatric services offered are further strengthened by St. Joseph's Hospital full-service medical center, including the 24-hour Steinbrenner Emergency/Trauma Center for Children.

Click the link below to make a donation to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital:

Make a donation to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

Website: https://baycare.org/locations/hospitals/st-josephs-childrens-hospital/patients-and-visitors/

Saturday, July 27th - Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay are dedicated to enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens. They are committed to providing a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach for every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. Within the community, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay serves more than 12,500 youth in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties annually at their 25 Clubs.

Click the link below to see how you can help make a difference and get involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay: https://www.bgctampa.org/ways-to-give/

Website: https://www.bgctampa.org/

Past HOPE Week Honorees

Click Down - 2023 HOPE Week Honorees

Tuesday, July 25th - Wags for Tags

Wags for Tags

Started by 16-year-old, Kenny Yip, who is going into his Junior year at Tampa Prep. He provides ID tags for rescue dogs awaiting adoption. When these dogs are at a shelter and/or newly adopted, the dogs tend to be skiddish and run off – the tags that Wags for Tags provide are temporary until the new owner can take the dog to the vet, name it, etc. These tags help the dog get back to its home or shelter if they run away... otherwise the dog would not have any sort of ID, when found. A long-time passion, Kenny started his non-profit in January 2023 and has distributed over 300 tags to six local shelters. He promotes his cause at local pet walks/events and receives donations. All donation proceeds go to producing the tags.

On behalf of Wags for Tags, Kenny Yip will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Tuesday's Tarpons game.

Website: https://www.wagsfortags.org/

Wednesday, July 26th - Clothes to Kids

Clothes To Kids

Jode Frisbie Eye and Marie Bouchard McClung, created Clothes To Kids, Inc. out of a passion for helping children in need. The co-founders started collecting clothing in 2002. Their idea was to provide a cheerful store environment where families and children could actually shop with dignity and respect and receive school clothing free of charge.

On June 11, 2003, the first Clothes To Kids store opened in Dunedin, they added stores in Clearwater (2005) and St. Petersburg (2009). Summer 2018, they opened in Tampa – serving kids in Hillsborough County.

For free admission to Wednesday's (July 26th) game against Dunedin, support the "Drop off Your Drawers" Campaign by bringing a clothing donation which will be collected at the GMS Ticket Office!!

Click the link below to see how to contribute, drop off locations and what sizes are needed most:

Drop off Your Drawers for Clothes To Kids

On behalf of Clothes to Kids, Megan DiBlasi will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Wednesday's Tarpons game.

Website: https://clothestokids.org/

Thursday, July 27th - Eco Brothers

Eco Brothers - Read, Repeat Initiative

Chase & Zach Hartman have collected and distributed more than 200,000 books in 50 states and raised more than $60,000 for literacy in Florida.

In addition, they also do monthly trash pickup around Tampa to help take care of our local environment.

For free admission to Thursday's (July 27th) game against Dunedin, bring a book donation which will be collected at the GMS Ticket Office!!

On behalf of the Eco Brothers, Chase & Zach Hartman will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch(es) at Thursday's Tarpons game.

Website: https://www.ecobrothersinc.org/

Friday, July 28th - The Sunrise Group

The Sunrise Group

Sunrise is dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Their customized services are for people of all ages and abilities, ranging from minimal support and supervision to the most complex medical and behavioral supports. Using innovative, person centered approaches, Sunrise works with people to ensure they have a choice, and make sure that their services properly support them in achieving higher levels of independence, self-determination, personal responsibility and access to the community.

Over the last 50 years, Sunrise has increased the number of persons served from 50 people in just South Florida to over 2,000 across several states with over 3,000 exceptional employees.

On behalf of The Sunrise Group, Josemane Ancion will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch at Friday's Tarpons game.

Website: https://sunrisegroup.org/

Saturday, July 29th - Hillsborough Education Foundation

Hillsborough Education Foundation - Take Stock in Children Event

The Hillsborough Education Foundation's work centers around making an impact, engaging our community to invest in education and ensuring our teachers have the necessary resources to provide all students with an equal opportunity to graduate and achieve success. Their goal is to help economically challenged students are in their program, who will benefit by earning a two-year community scholarship, when they complete the program which includes meeting with a mentor, maintaining a qualifying GPA and some other things.

Take Stock in Children students are invited to come shop in the Teaching Tools Resource Center for free school supplies in July, as they prep for back to school season!

Website: https://educationfoundation.com/