Batter up - and would you like fries and a drink with that? A corn dog? Pizza? Hard to believe but another winter has gone by (at least, we hope so) and it's time to think about helping with our United Methodist Men's annual fundraiser - volunteering to work at Dayton Dragons games and then donating the money to the church. This is how the UMM make most of the money they use all year to support the church and their many missions. But just as they are always there to help the rest of us in so many ways around the church, they need quite a bit of help to make this happen.

Here's some info from John Stalcup, who coordinates the volunteers, on what to expect if you decide to help out. Five people work per night, with two or three arriving around 4:30 and the others at 5:00. Everyone spends the pregame time taking food and drinks from the kitchen out to each of the 30 suites, plus the three party decks the Dragons rent out for groups of up to 50. During the game, you will fill orders as they come in for more food/drinks or run things from the warehouse to the kitchen as needed. Once the suites clear out after the game, everyone helps take all the pans and plates back to the kitchen where the dishwashers are. Typically, everyone is on the way home by 10:15 or so.

The men typically donate $3,000 - $4,000 a year to various projects for the church  from this fundraiser since they receive $30.00 for each person who works. It's great exercise because everyone walks a couple of miles a night, going back and forth between the suites and the kitchen and out to the party decks. But the most important thing is definitely the fun and fellowship that everyone enjoys as they work for a good cause.

If you can help out, please give John a call ASAP. His phone number is in the church directory. He'll have a schedule of the nights available soon so you can pick the dates that work for you.

And here's a letter from David Finney, leader of the UMM, with a little more info on  volunteering for this important program:

Each year, for the past 10 years, we have worked in food service at Fifth Third Field during Dayton Dragon baseball games.

Over the years, we have served in tough, demanding roles at the ballpark, and in easier roles. We find that we like the easier roles more, so we have become regulars working in the luxury suites. We are in climate controlled conditions inside the suites, kitchen and corridors. We take food and beverages into the suites, then return the serving dishes and pans to the kitchen after the game.

Not complicated, but will allow us to earn about $3,000 for our treasury. We’ll then spend that treasury over the succeeding months on varied programs and ministries.

It is interesting to see the inside of the stadium. We have on occasion, been in the conference room next to the player’s locker room. A few of us have even been in the locker room, though not on game days. We work, but we talk and laugh as we work. There is a very real social element in our involvement with the Dragons.

Please consider supporting our group of men, our local church, and even the church beyond Springboro by participating in our work at the ball games.