MLB's Mets Give Back to Essential Workers
May 14, 2021
Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 2021 Commissioner’s Community Initiative will distribute $1.5 million worth of tickets league-wide to local heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic to honor and show appreciation to frontline and essential workers. The annual initiative provides tickets to children and adults who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend an MLB game.
Among teams across the league, each year the New York Mets participate as part of its Community Ticket Program. Since 2017, the Mets have donated nearly 100,000 tickets to charitable organizations, individuals and community groups through the program. This season the organization is giving those tickets to frontline workers, including but not limited to, healthcare personnel, first responders, educational staff and public transport workers.
“After such a trying year for many of us, we are grateful to be able to give back in a small way to those on the front lines of the pandemic,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. “Inviting frontline workers to spend a day at Citi Field is just a small way to show our appreciation for all they have done to help keep our communities safe throughout this past year.”
Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and his partner Haley Walsh are taking part through their Homers 4 Heroes Foundation which launched last year to raise funds and awareness for everyday heroes of the pandemic and to inspire others to be a hero in others’ lives. “It really means a lot because we really want to give back to those people who spent so much time on the front lines and really stepped up to the plate, so to speak, during the pandemic," Alonso said.
“I want to give people that opportunity not just to show appreciation, but also [to] help those people that have had impacts and that are doing good and that are on a mission trying to help others. For us, we’re not just trying to help other people, but we’re trying to inspire and light a spark in other people as well.”
Each month, Homers 4 Heroes asks fans to nominate an Everyday Hero across changing categories. May recognizes heroes in the mental health space in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.