BFD Club Team to Raise Money for Local Charity through Love of the Game
The Boston Fire Department club baseball team, the Boston Jakes, is gearing up for an exciting 2018 season. This marks the 3rd season for the team and the first season of raising money to support the Boston Firefighter Local 718 Children’s Fund. “There was never a Boston Fire Department Baseball team until recently,” says Jakes General Manager, Chief Neil Mullane. “In the past few years with graduating over 500 new, young Boston Firefighters, it has increased interest of forming a team. We look forward to playing other Fire Department and Public Safety teams throughout the country to raise money for their respective charities and ours.”
Since its inception, the team has played games in Boston and throughout the country. Seeing the turnout for the games and energy of the team, members recognized a fundraising opportunity. Beginning this season, the Boston Jakes baseball club will fundraise in support of the Boston Firefighter Local 718 Children’s Fund. Through suggested donations at the game, raffles and company partnerships, they are aiming to raise $5,000 in support of the cause.
The Boston Jakes baseball club, comprised entirely of active duty Boston Firefighters, will represent the city of Boston as they travel to play teams throughout the country. Through an affiliation with UMASS Boston, the team is also slated to host games at the college’s Monan Park. This location will serve as the team’s showcase field.
While the team’s schedule is being finalized, the currently scheduled 2018 games include:
– June 23rd vs. Ottawa Fire Department
– July vs. New York Fire Department
– August 2nd – 4th vs. Las Vegas Fire Department
– August 27th vs. Saratoga Fire Department
To officially kick off the 2018 season, members from the team are marching with the local Parkway Little League in West Roxbury’s parade on Saturday, April 14th. A few of the Boston Jakes players are also involved as coaches for the Parkway Little League Team. Boston Firefighter, Mike McGonagle, grew up in Boston playing for the Parkway Little League team, the Giants, and now is a coach for the same team. “Growing up my best memories were of baseball,” says McGonagle. “Baseball is a passion of mine and I’m looking forward to both seasons. It doesn’t get much better than coaching your childhood team and playing a game you love with great guys to raise money for an amazing cause.”
For more information on the team, including how to get involved, visit Facebook.com/BFDBaseball.
About the Boston Jakes: Founded in 2015, the Boston Jakes are the Boston Fire Department’s affiliated club baseball team. Comprised entirely of active duty Boston Firefighters, the team plays against other city’s fire department and public safety club baseball teams. Through an affiliation with UMASS Boston, the Boston Jakes host opponents at Monan Field. The team works to fundraise at both home and away games through company partnerships, raffles and attendee donations to raise money for the Boston Firefighters Children’s Fund. The team is also affiliated with the Jake Peavy Foundation.
About the Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF Children’s Fund: The Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 Children’s Fund, is a not-for-profit organization which purchases and delivers Christmas presents to children who are burned out of their homes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day each year, as well as providing financial support to various youth activities and organizations within the City of Boston throughout the year.
