What do you and I (along with other Braves 400 Fan Club members) have in common with Tim Hudson, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and other Braves players besides loyalty to the Atlanta Braves? The named players (and others) donate season tickets to the Atlanta Braves Foundation to enable the Braves, through their "Reach Out, Be Our Guest" program, to provide Braves tickets to youngsters who otherwise may not have the opportunity, to attend Braves games. For some of the youngsters it may be their very first ball game.
Continuing a tradition that began at the beginning of 2007, the 2011 season had the Braves 400 Fan Club donating 500 tickets to the Atlanta Braves Foundation's "Reach Out, Be Our Guest" program. This worthwhile effort provided Braves tickets to area youngsters and their chaperones. This is done as a way of fulfilling one of the Club's stated objectives of promoting baseball at all levels. On multiple occasions this season, youngsters and chaperones were invited to attend a Braves game as guests of the Braves 400 Fan Club. Ericka Newsome (Director, Community Affairs & Braves Foundation) and her staff administer the program for the Braves 400 Fan Club. In addition to attending the game, our invited guests have an opportunity (when the schedule permits) to watch batting practice and be greeted by one or two ball players. What a wonderful way to introduce these young people to Major League Baseball. This season groups from Friends Of Refugees , Covenant House Georgia , and Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes were guests of the club. During the 2011 season the program was significantly enhanced through the generous participation of Chick-fil-A . The guests of the club were treated to a Chick-fil-A sandwich, a soft drink and some other "goodies" as they made their way to their seats. What a terrific way to enjoy a first visit to the ball park.
Photos of groups that were guests of the Braves 400 Fan Club.
Jose Constanza visits with group from Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes
Constanza signed anything and everything put in front of him
After batting practice field visit a trip to Chick-fil-A
Everyone enjoyed a Chick-fil-A sandwich
Enjoying the Chick-fil-A visit before heading to the seats for the ballgame
The group from Covenant House Georgia enjoys the field visit during batting practice
The group awaits Michael Bourne's visit
Michael Bourn's visit was REALLY appreciated by at least one of the group
Brandon Beachy stopped by for a visit with the Covenant House Georgia group
(l to r) Taffii Vincent, Braves 400 Club President Wayne Coleman, and Brian Thomas
Taffii and Brian escorted a group of youngsters from the Andrew & Walter Young (Southwest) YMCA to the game
Willie Harris and Pete Orr autograph T-shirts for the youngsters
Willie Harris and Pete Orr pose for a group photo
Our favorite usher, Walter Banks, shares some wisdom with the youngsters
Jorge Campillo greeted these fans
Wayne Coleman had a chance to visit with these chaperones during the game
Will this shirt ever be washed again
Mike Gonzalez poses with a Braves 400 Club guest
The announcement on the board lets those attending
the game know of the Braves 400 Club guests