JACKSON, MISS– The second annual “Hit A Home Run for Special Olympics,” goes up to bat at Trustmark Park on August 21.
Celebrity teams coached by Governor Bryant and Brett Favre will face off to raise money for the Special Olympics of Mississippi. The teams will include Special Olympics athletes from across the state playing alongside partner athletes on unified teams.
Governor Bryant says this event gets better every year. This is Favre’s first year to play, but he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“My mom was a special education teacher, so Deanna and I both grew up with her students being an integral part of our lives,” said Favre. “Since the inception of our Favre 4 Hope Foundation, we knew we wanted to support Special Olympics with our time and resources. So far, our foundation has donated $500,000 to Special Olympics in Mississippi and Wisconsin. We are looking forward to playing in the game with the athletes. Just a warning to Governor Bryant—Deanna is very competitive!”
Special Olympics Mississippi president and CEO Tony Bahou says the money raised from this game go toward everyday operation.
“Our athletes and their families don’t pay to play, or pay for training,” says Bahou, “it takes about $200 a year per athlete to keep up with playing, training, and competing.”
Bahou says last year they raised nearly $10,000. Tickets for the matchup are $15 for premium seating between home plate and first or third base, and $10 for seating on the baselines beyond the bases. Each ticket includes admission to the Mississippi Braves game that evening at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase vouchers online or at select home games at Trustmark Park and redeem them at the box office on game night.
