News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 21, 2019
 
BOSTON RED SOX NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE 2019
“ALLAN H. SELIG AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPIC EXCELLENCE”

Club Recognized for “Home Base,” the Program Dedicated to Healing
‘Invisible Wounds’ of Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families

Since 2009, the Red Sox Foundation & Massachusetts General Hospital Program
Has Served More Than 24,000 for Treatments Related to PTSD & TBI

ARLINGTON – The Boston Red Sox have been named recipient of the 2019 “Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence,” Major League Baseball announced earlier today. The honor recognizes the Red Sox Foundation’s efforts to establish a philanthropic partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital to develop the Home Base Program, a nonprofit dedicated to providing world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research initiatives for veterans, active military service members, and their families impacted by “invisible wounds,” such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner and the Red Sox Foundation were the catalysts in the creation of Home Base in 2007, which has served as a lifeline for those seeking a successful transition post-military service. As part of their recognition, the Red Sox will receive a $10,000 grant from Major League Baseball Charities. This is the second Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence for Boston after being recognized as the inaugural recipient in 2010 for their “Red Sox Scholars” program. They are the only Club to win the Award twice.

As a National Center of Excellence, Home Base operates the first and largest private-sector clinic in the nation devoted to providing evidence-based mental health and brain injury care, advancements, and awareness in support of veterans of all eras, active duty service members and military family members – at no cost and regardless of discharge status. Home Base’s two-week Intensive Clinical Program is one of several clinical programs, which compresses more than a year’s worth of treatment within two weeks through evidence-based therapies, complementary and alternative medicine. Serving Veterans from across the globe, some components of the program include supervised exercise, education about healthy eating and living, sleep hygiene, stress management, and mindfulness training. Additional organizations collaborate with RSF and MGH to sustain the clinical programs available at Home Base to include Wounded Warrior Project, George W. Bush Institute’s Warrior Wellness Alliance, Fisher House, RAND Corporation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Since its inception in 2009, more than 24,000 veterans, service members, and their families have been treated under Home Base. Additionally, the program has trained more than 73,000 clinicians, educators, and community members nationally since its inception.

While Home Base is a nationally recognized charitable organization, they continuously work to grow and expand their boundaries, both geographically and intellectually, to reach new heights in offering innovation and rigor to help veterans and their families facilitate successful transitions to civilian life. Most recently, their increased dedication and support of the military community has directed their efforts overseas, providing aid to those from Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Panama, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Guyana, and Japan. To commemorate the MLB & Mitel present London Series 2019, the Red Sox Foundation partnered with Home Base and Walking with The Wounded to raise awareness of U.S.- & U.K.-based veterans. Their joint initiative included an intimate dinner for 300 at Kensington Palace featuring a special performance by Sting and tickets to Game One of the London Series. Together, they raised more than $1.3 million at the event. Home Base is building an international coalition of best-in-class organizations to continue their mission in healing the invisible wounds of servicemen and women on a global stage.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate the Boston Red Sox for winning their second Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence,” said Commissioner Manfred. “The organization’s devotion to improving the quality of life of veterans, active service members and their families serves as a model for how our sport gives back to those who have personally sacrificed in service to our nation. We are proud to recognize Home Base as a leading safe haven and treatment option for the military community.”
“We are honored to be the recipients of this prestigious award for the second time, and for a program that has been incredibly special to me personally,” said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “As Home Base celebrates its 10th anniversary, we have seen the impact of its important work through the thousands of veterans, service members, and families who have been set on a path of healing from the invisible wounds. They have done so with the utmost care, integrity, and decency for everyone who has walked through their doors. I truly believe this program has saved countless lives, and I am grateful to MLB for this notable recognition.”

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Contact: Steve Arocho or Kerline Batista, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878, @MLB_PR

About the Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence
The Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence, formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence, was created in 2010 to recognize the charitable and philanthropic efforts of MLB Clubs, with the Boston Red Sox organization as the inaugural recipient for their “Red Sox Scholars” program, which creates educational opportunities for inner-city youth. The Chicago White Sox the award in 2011 for its “White Sox Volunteer Corps,” a unique initiative designed to activate the fan base with White Sox players, executives and staff in helping give back to the greater Chicago community through service. The Toronto Blue Jays won the award in 2012 for the “Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy,” a series of initiatives that support young people by encouraging physical activity through baseball while also providing programs that offer important resources and help develop essential life skills. The Detroit Tigers organization was the 2013 recipient for its “Detroit Tigers Anti-Bullying” program, a free, Michigan-wide educational program designed to help students and teachers manage the issue of bullying in schools. The Seattle Mariners organization was the 2014 recipient for its Refuse To Abuse®” Domestic Violence Prevention Program, a state-wide educational initiative, in partnership with the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to promote healthy relationships and take a public stand against domestic violence. In 2015, the San Francisco Giants were recognized for their Junior Giants program, a free, noncompetitive initiative for youth, ages 5-18, that focuses on character development and baseball instruction. In 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies received the Award for its commitment to supporting the fight against ALS through the “Phillies Phestival.” In 2017, the Houston Astros were recognized for the “Houston Astros Leaders Program,” which has positively affected thousands of children in Greater Houston through baseball & softball programming, education-based initiatives and volunteer opportunities. The Texas Rangers was the 2018 recipient of the Award for its “Texas Rangers Richard Greene Scholars,” which has provided more than $1.2 million in college scholarships to 126 Arlington high school students.