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Community Calendar

• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September

April

April is Autism Awareness Month at Nationals Park

Friday, April 17

Player Appearance, 2009 Annual SunWise with SHADE Foundation National Poster Judging Contest, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Nationals Outfielder Roger Bernadina will participate as guest judges at The SHADE Foundation Poster Contest. The SHADE Foundation, founded by Shonda Schilling, is dedicated educating children and the community about preventing and detecting skin cancer, and promoting sun safety.

Monday, April 20

Player Appearance, Falls Church High School, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Nationals Pitcher Scott Olsen will participate in a motivational assembly for spring student athletes at Falls Church High School.

Wednesday, April 22

D.C. RBI Day
The Nationals support several non-profit organizations by providing complimentary tickets for underserved children in the D.C. metropolitan area to attend regular season games at Nationals Park. D.C. RBI program participants and their coaches will receive complimentary tickets to the 1:35pm game, and will be recognized pre-game as the Starting Nine.

Player Appearance, Autism Awareness Month - Mill Creek Towne Elementary School 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
In conjunction with the Nationals' Monthly Health Awareness Campaign/Autism Awareness Month, Washington Nationals Outfielder Justin Maxwell will visit with several students in the special education learning center at Mill Creek Towne Elementary School. Many of the students enrolled in the special education classes suffer from autism.

May

May is Mental Health Awareness at Nationals Park

Friday, May 1 - Sunday, May 3

5th Annual Baseball Equipment Drive
In partnership with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund
The Nationals will collect new or gently used baseball and softball equipment during the weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fans may drop off their donations outside the Center Field Gate from gate opening until the end of the fourth inning. The equipment collected, in addition to a $5,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund in honor of Washington Nationals Pitchers Scott Olsen and Shairon Martis, will benefit D.C. Public High Schools.

Saturday, May 16

Jackie Robinson Day
Scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will be recognized on-field at Nationals Park prior to the start of the 7:05pm Washington Nationals game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jackie Robinson Day was originally scheduled for April 15 but was postponed due to rain. Both the Nationals and Phillies will wear No. 42 jerseys in honor of Jackie Robinson who broke baseball's color barrier in 1947.

Sunday, May 17

Child Safety Day at Nationals Park
In partnership with Kindervision
In an effort to increase child safety awareness in the District, Kindervision will provide a free child safety DVD to all children who stop by the Community Desk from gate opening until the end of the 7th inning.

Tuesday, May 19

Player Appearance, Kimball Elementary School 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
In partnership with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), a Washington Nationals player will visit Kimball Elementary School, the Nationals "adopted" school in Southeast DC. All of the students at Kimball Elementary will receive a new book, courtesy of RIF

Friday, May 22

Player Appearance, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington Nationals players, along with several players and coaches from the Baltimore Orioles, will visit wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center prior to the start of the "Battle of the Beltways" series against the Orioles.

Saturday, May 23

Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Smithfield at Nationals Park, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

June

June is Cancer Awareness Month at Nationals Park

Friday, June 5 - Sunday, June 7

4th Annual Thanksgiving in June Food Collection
In partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank
The Nationals will collect non-perishable food items during the weekend series against the New York Mets. Fans may drop off their donations outside the Center Field Gate from gate opening until the end of the fourth inning. All items collected will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, which distributes 20 million pounds of food to more than 700 partner agencies each year.

Friday, June 19 - Friday, August 7

Washington Nationals Summer Reading Program
In partnership with the District of Columbia Public Library
The Nationals kick off their summer reading program on June 19. The program, which runs through August 7, serves as an enhancement to DCPL's existing summer reading program. Children may sign up at their local library, and as they complete their reading lists, are eligible to win a prize (two tickets to a Nationals game in September). Nationals players encourage D.C. children to participate in the summer reading program by visiting D.C. public libraries and reading to the children throughout the summer.

Saturday, June 20

MLB Pitch, Hit & Run
Pitch, Hit & Run is an MLB national grassroots initiative in which young baseball and softball players have the opportunity to showcase their skills in pitching, hitting and running. Boys and girls participate together, with winners advancing from local competitions all the way to the National Finals at the 2009 All-Star Game. This competition is free of charge for all youngsters.

Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Smithfield at Nationals Park, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Father of the Year Essay Contest / Celebration
In partnership with the National Center for Fathering
The Father of the Year essay contest is administered by the NCF and is open to all District children who nominate their fathers or men who serve as father-figures. Submissions are judged by a panel, and the grand prize winner - the Father of the Year - will be honored before the Nationals home game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sunday, June 21

Father's Day, Prostate Cancer Awareness
In an effort to heighten awareness about prostate cancer and generate funding for ongoing research, Major League Baseball implements the Home Run Challenge, in conjunction with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Player representatives: Nick Johnson, Ryan Zimmerman

Thursday, June 25

Tie Drive
In partnership with Career Gear
The Nationals will collect new and gently worn dress ties during the final game of the Boston Red Sox series. Fans may drop off their tie donations outside the Center Field Gate from gate opening until the end of the fourth inning. The ties collected will be donated to disconnected and underserved men in the D.C. community, along with business suits and career counseling courtesy of Career Gear.

July

July is Multiple Sclerosis & ALS Awareness Month at Nationals Park

Friday, July 3

Domestic Violence Awareness Night
In partnership with Becky's Fund
The Nationals will host Domestic Violence Awareness Night at Nationals Park on July 3. Volunteers from Becky's Fund will be on-site to disseminate information to Nationals fans via the Community Kiosk at Nationals Park. Becky's Fund's PSA will also run pre-game at Nationals Park.

Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19

4th Annual Christmas in July Toy Drive
In partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots Foundation
The Nationals will collect new, unwrapped toys during the weekend series against the Chicago Cubs. The U.S. Marines will be stationed at all gates at Nationals Park to accept donations from gate opening until the end of the fourth inning. The toys collected will be distributed to non-profit organizations and pediatric wards in the D.C. metropolitan area.

Saturday, July 18

Player Appearance, Baseball Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery

Saturday, July 25

Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Smithfield at Nationals Park, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

August

August is Heart Health Awareness Month at Nationals Park

Saturday, August 8

5th Annual Blood Drive
The Nationals will host a blood drive at Nationals Park prior to the game. All participants will receive a t-shirt and two tickets to a Washington Nationals home game in September.

Friday, August 21 - Sunday, August 23

3rd Annual Washington Nationals First Ladies Back-to-School Drive
The Washington Nationals First Ladies - Nationals players' and coaches' wives and girlfriends - will collect new school supplies during the weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The supplies collected will be donated to a D.C. Public School (TBD).

Saturday, August 22

Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Smithfield at Nationals Park, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

September

September is Diabetes Awareness Month at Nationals Park

Friday, September 4

Roberto Clemente Day at Nationals Park
Roberto Clemente Day was established by Major League Baseball in 2002 to honor the legacy of Roberto Clemente. The Washington Nationals recipient of the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award will accept his award in an on-field ceremony prior to the start of the game.

Saturday, September 5

Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Smithfield at Nationals Park, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

2nd Annual Adopt-a-Pet at the Park
In partnership with the Washington Humane Society
Volunteers from the WHS will be at Nationals Park with several dogs and cats looking for new homes. Fans interested in adopting an animal may complete applications on-site.

Saturday, September 26

Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids
Members and chaperones from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington will receive complimentary tickets to the 1:05pm game, and will be recognized pre-game as the Starting Nine.