PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Major League Baseball and Phillies Charities have announced a more than $5 million investment in community projects ahead of this summer’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
The All-Star Legacy initiative aims to leave a “meaningful impact” on communities within the host city of Philadelphia. The money goes toward nonprofits and projects that “empower underserved communities by expanding access to baseball and softball for youth, supporting our veterans, and providing essential educational and nutritional resources,” MLB said.
“Part of our mission in baseball each and every day is to support our fans and our communities who need it most,” said April Brown, MLB senior vice president of social responsibility.
She said MLB is working with six different nonprofits across the Delaware Valley, including Miracle Leagues, a nonprofit that designs adaptable baseball and softball fields for people who have mental and physical disabilities.
“We will be investing in helping them have their own new field, which will be an adaptive turf field,” said Brown. “We’re really honored and incredibly excited to make that investment in Miracle Leagues.”
MLB is also honoring the Philadelphia Stars, the city’s historic Negro League team. The organization is contributing to an addition at the Negro League Memorial Park in West Philadelphia with new life-sized sculptures of players.
Other legacy projects include facility upgrades to the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Old City, a refurbishment of Ashburn Field in FDR Park, renovations to Tree House Books’ literacy program, and a new Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Garden Mobile that brings fresh produce and gardening resources directly to communities in need.
“Our fans and our city are the heart of everything we do,” Bonnie Clark, president of Phillies Charities, said in a statement. “Through the 2026 All-Star Legacy initiative, we are proud to give back to the communities that support us every day, ensuring this historic celebration leaves a meaningful, generation-spanning impact.”
Nearly $125 million has been contributed by MLB and host clubs to local communities through the All-Star Legacy initiative since its inception in 1997.
The All-Star Game takes place at Citizens Bank Park on July 14.
Projects include memorial renovations and field and facility upgrades
Projects include memorial renovations and field and facility upgrades
