United Water Partners with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to Provide Programs for Youth of Poughkeepsie, NY

Youth from the Town of Poughkeepsie’s Babe Ruth League - Cal Ripken Division Participate in Quickball Tournament in Celebration of Badges for Baseball Program

Youth from the Town of Poughkeepsie's Babe Ruth League - Cal Ripken Division attended a Marist College basketball game in celebration of the United Water and Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Badges for Baseball program. Representatives from United Water and Town Supervisor Todd Tancredi played in the children's Quickball tournament as part of the celebration. (Photo: Business Wire)

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.--()--United Water has partnered with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) to continue the Badges for Baseball program in the town of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. for the third consecutive year. On January 18, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and United Water hosted a Quickball Tournament for approximately 40 youth from the Town of Poughkeepsie’s Babe Ruth League - Cal Ripken Division at Marist College in celebration of the Badges for Baseball program. Representatives from United Water and Town Supervisor Todd Tancredi pitched and played in the Quickball tournament. After a pizza party, youth and their parents attended the Marist College men’s basketball game against Rider University.

“United Water knows it is important to go beyond providing excellent service and to get involved in the challenges facing the communities we serve,” said Nadine Leslie, President, United Water Environmental Services. That’s why we partner with organizations such as the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to support their Badges to Baseball program. We believe investing in the children of Poughkeepsie builds a stronger community for everyone.”

Since inception in 2011, 200 kids have participated in the Badges for Baseball program in Poughkeepsie. The program is supported through grant funding from United Water. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation created Badges for Baseball in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice. The program reshapes the relationship between law enforcement and kids living in underserved communities across the country. It’s a simple concept: pair cops and kids together to play and learn. The partnership teaches area youth valuable life lessons, including teamwork, leadership and the value of preserving the environment, particularly water.

“The Town is very excited to partner with United Water and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation in bringing this program to the children of Poughkeepsie,” said Todd Tancredi, Town Supervisor. “It is an excellent example of how the Town’s partnership with United Water provides additional benefit to our residents. The Badges for Baseball program has provided valuable investment into the children of our community, teaching them responsibility and teamwork through our Babe Ruth League - Cal Ripken Division.”

Thanks to the continued support of United Water, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has provided the Town of Poughkeepsie Recreation Department with the resources needed to implement Badges for Baseball. This includes cash awards, baseball/softball and Quickball equipment, character education curriculum and opportunities to send deserving youth to overnight summer camp at the Ripken Complex in Aberdeen, MD.

“We are deeply grateful for the continued support of United Water, which helps bring the Badges for Baseball program to deserving youth in Poughkeepsie,” said Steve Salem, president of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “United Water’s commitment to youth outreach and community involvement has enabled this program to continue to grow and positively impact hundreds of local youth.”

The United Water Foundation and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation began their partnership in 2009. The program started in Massachusetts and has since reached youth in Holyoke and Springfield, MA; Poughkeepsie, NY; Jersey City, NJ; Harrisburg, PA and Pontiac, MI. Each individual program has impacted up to 100 youth in their respective communities. The two partners are working to build and expand upon the success of the program with the ultimate goal of reaching more youth and helping lead them on a path to success.

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation uses baseball- and softball-themed programs to help build character and teach critical life lessons to underserved youth residing in America’s most distressed communities. Founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr., the Foundation works to create programs that positively impact at-risk youth through active community partnerships with America’s most successful youth service organizations. The Ripken Foundation uses the baseball and softball field to help teach life’s critical lessons such as perseverance, loyalty, nutrition, hard work and leadership to young people residing in disadvantaged communities. The Ripken Foundation has impacted over 1 million kids nationwide through its Youth Development Park initiative and Badges for Baseball programming.

About United Water

In Poughkeepsie, NY, United Water operates two wastewater treatment plants for the Town with an average of 2.55 million gallons per day, serving 15,000 residents. United Water is one of the nation’s leading environmental companies, providing water and wastewater services to approximately 5.5 million people in the United States. In addition to owning and operating 16 water and wastewater utilities, United Water operates 90 municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems through innovative public-private partnerships and contract agreements. Founded in 1869, United Water is a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.

Contacts

FOR THE CAL RIPKEN, SR. FOUNDATION
Maroon PR
Katy Ford, 443-864-4246
Katy@MaroonPR.com
or
Marlene Alvarez, 443-864-4246
Marlene@MaroonPR.com
or
UNITED WATER
Sonja Clark, 201-767-2873
Sonja.Clark@UnitedWater.com

Release Summary

Since inception in 2011, 200 kids have participated in the Badges for Baseball program in Poughkeepsie. The Town is pleased to partner with United Water and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

Contacts

FOR THE CAL RIPKEN, SR. FOUNDATION
Maroon PR
Katy Ford, 443-864-4246
Katy@MaroonPR.com
or
Marlene Alvarez, 443-864-4246
Marlene@MaroonPR.com
or
UNITED WATER
Sonja Clark, 201-767-2873
Sonja.Clark@UnitedWater.com