| And, what’s more, owning a piece of
history will also benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Missouri.
Nikco Sports announced today Phase II of its All-Star Game program,
following closely on the heels of a very successful All-Star Game baseball
project that was launched prior to Father’s Day. Like the previous
project, Phase II will again be limited to 2,009 pieces, and this time
around fans can actually own a piece of the All-Star Game—a
small sample of infield dirt from the park.
The sample of dirt will be inset into a section of the frame that will
also include a 5 x 7 inch photo of the All-Star Game, along with the duplication
of the actual National League starting lineup card. Next to the photo
and lineup card will be an engraved nameplate that notes the score, date,
venue, MVP and HR Derby champion, along with a special All-Star game pin.
Everything will be presented on a double matted backdrop inside the frame,
making the entire presentation both historic and very handsome.
In recent years, Nikco Sports, which is based in the suburbs
of St. Louis, has raised more than $1.7 million for children’s charities,
and CEO Craig Bidner hopes to add to that total with another blockbuster
program. Fans can order this very unique item, which will not be sold
at retail outlets locally, for $89.95 by calling 800-345-2868
or going online at www.nikcosports.com.
“I was not yet born when the All-Star Game came to St. Louis in
1966, but I remember my father and others in our family telling me what
an exciting event that was,” said Bidner. “I’ve been
counting the days for the All-Star Game to return to my hometown, and
I’m very pleased to be able to offer local fans an opportunity to
preserve this special moment in St. Louis sports history with this beautiful
framed photo, one that includes the lineup card of the National League
and some of the real dirt taken from the ballpark.”
This is only the fifth time in history the All-Star baseball game will
be played in St. Louis. The previous games were staged on July 9, 1940,
July 13, 1948, July 8, 1957 and July 12, 1966.
With the Cardinals playing solid baseball during the first three months
of the 2009 campaign, and with Albert Pujols having another All-Star banner
season and threatening to hit well over 50 homers, the framed photo promises
to be even more meaningful in years to come because the NL starting lineup
card will include Pujols’ name.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has often enjoyed a presence
at these types of national sporting events, with youngsters who have life-threatening
medical conditions getting special wishes granted to attend and meet their
heroes up close. It is fund-raising programs such as the All-Star Game
framed photo being staged by Nikco Sports that helps to facilitate the
fulfillment of such wishes.
“It gives me great pleasure to know that over the years we’ve
been able to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in many parts
of the country, and play a small part in putting some smiles on the faces
of these deserving youngsters,” noted Bidner. “We’re
looking forward to continuing our relationship with the Make-A-Wish
Foundation® of Missouri for many years to come.”
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has raised more
than $1.7 million for charitable organizations across the
nation with the issue of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has honored
amateur and professional teams, as well as select athletes such athletes
as Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger,
along with Peyton Manning, Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John
Elway, David Robinson, John Stockton, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Roger
Clemens, Don Larsen, Ryne Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Edgar
Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan,
Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken Jr.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of
children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human
experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring
individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police
officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the
world, with 67 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help
of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation
grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 168,000
wishes in the U.S. since inception.
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