The Braves will use the current homestand to help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
For this week’s series against the Rangers and Marlins, the Braves have partnered with American Red Cross and United Way of Greater Atlanta to raise money and accept fan donations for Houstonians in need.
Braves and Rangers players accepted monetary donations outside SunTrust Park's right field gates on Monday afternoon. The Braves will collect donated items to deliver to Houston on each day of the homestand. The team will also donate its share of the Foundation's 50/50 raffle tickets through Sept. 10.
“For us to be able to help out, even just whatever we can do, you know we’re going to try and do,” said Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson. “The support of the fans is needed, but we’re doing our part in this locker room to be able to give back.”
This series against the Rangers, we are collecting donations to give to those in need in Houston! Thank You!https://t.co/hPwfVhI7yn
— Dansby Swanson (@LieutenantDans7) September 4, 2017
Swanson is one of several players who will be making an effort to help through the week. He will be donating equipment to be auctioned off as part of the relief efforts.
“I’m going to give away a couple bats, the shoes that I’ll be wearing during this series,” Swanson said. “It’ll definitely be things that are mine. I’m just trying to do my part to help people. I think that’s such a big deal, important that I have the platform to be able to do that. And everyone else in here feels the same way.”
Also, I personally am donating equipment items to be auctioned off to raise money, as well as giving money to help relief efforts!
— Dansby Swanson (@LieutenantDans7) September 4, 2017
Swanson said the baseball world wishes it could’ve temporarily halted the season so players could help.
“When we were in Philly watching the coverage, you could just look at guys and everyone would say, kind of wish baseball could go on pause for a few days and we could just go down there and help if we could,” Swanson said. “But obviously it’s not really possible with the job that we have. I think that it’s a great opportunity for us to be able to help people that are in need, and to have a genuine attitude. It just shows how amazing people are and that we’re always willing to help.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker has friends and family outside Houston. He’s seen and heard about the damage, and assures the organization will do everything it can to help.
“We come together and try to make everything better for everybody,”Snitker said. “… It’s horrible. Talking to family and friends that are in Texas, trying to help the people in the shelters and what they need. And I ask them how can we best do it … Everybody is trying to figure out the best way to get everything to them and how to get it to them and we can most effectively help.”
