LoanDepot, the Official Mortgage Provider of MLB and Presenting Sponsor of the ALCS and NLCS added a further $115,000 during the playoffs to the $550,000 it raised for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America during its regular season ‘Home Means Everything’ runs batted in (RBI) fund raising activation.
By the time the final pitch was thrown in the MLB’s 2021 League Championship Series, loanDepot (a California based digital commerce company serving customers throughout the home ownership journey which was founded in 2010 and is now the USA’s second largest retail mortgage lender) and its ‘Home Means Everything’ RBI campaign had raised more than $665,000 for charity partner the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The initiative saw loanDepot donate $25 for every RBI during the regular season and $1000 for each RBI in the playoffs: a financial contribute fuelled by this tear’s dramatic, high-scoring pennant battles which both went to six games and which saw the four teams hit 115 RBIs.
The funds will be used by Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help serve and support more than four million young Americans across the country through its local community clubs which aim to empower youngsters to realise their full potential and achieve great futures through the promotion of academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles.
Founded 160 years ago, Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.
The campaign originally launched in late May promoted through a hero TV and social spot which came in 60-, 30- and 15-second versions.
The campaign was also supported by an ambassador team of past and present MLB stars – including three-time World Series champion David Ortiz (who ranks third all-time in League Championship Series RBI) – who also appeared in a social spot series where the MLB stars discuss what ‘home’ means to them in a baseball context.
Experiences were also a key strand in the activation ranging from throwing out the first pitch to being special guests at games.
Indeed, throughout the ALCS and NLCS, loanDepot also provided Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s regional ‘Youth of the Year’ (YOY) recipients with one-of-a-kind MLB Postseason experiences in Boston, Houston, Los Angeles and Atlanta. The celebrated teens were invited to step onto the field to watch their favorite teams take batting practice and meet some of their favorite players before watching the playoff action.
The highlight of this effort unfolded at Game Three of the NLCS when Hsieh invited 20-year-old Nicolas Sanchez, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Central Orange Coast’s 2020 Youth of the Year, onto the mound to join him in throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodgers vs. Braves matchup in LA.
“Together with MLB in our first year of partnership, we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of young people,” said loanDepot Founder and CEO Anthony Hsieh. “Taking care of the communities in which we live and work is part of our DNA, and everyone on Team loanDepot is proud of our contributions to Boys & Girls Clubs.”
“As we celebrate the 25th year of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s partnership with Major League Baseball, loanDepot’s ‘Home Means Everything’ campaign exemplified the shared values each organization has for helping young people,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Vice President, Business & Community Affairs Frank Sanchez. “The impact of this donation to local Clubs and the National organization will support programs including workforce development, baseball and softball, technology resources and more. Boys & Girls Clubs of America appreciates loanDepot and MLB’s commitment to youth and the communities we serve.”
Half of the total donation will be allocated to the Atlanta-based Boys & Girls Clubs of America national headquarters, while the other half will support local clubs in areas where many members of Team loanDepot live and work, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Orange County, Calif., Nashville, Phoenix and Miami, home of loanDepot Park.
“Stepping onto the mound at Dodger Stadium to throw the first pitch with Nicolas was truly a special moment,” said Hsieh. “I was so happy to celebrate the power of Boys & Girls Clubs, and their impact on the communities we serve, while standing beside him – and I’m proud to partner with an organization that provides such critical support to help children and families reach their full potential.”
Comment
There are echoes here of MLB sponsors Bank Of America activations in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs Of America such as its ‘Baseball Is Back: Let’s Rally’ campaign in summer 2020 as well as its 2015 #MLBMemoryBank.
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