Phillie Phanatic Makes Special Appearance

July 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Phillie Phanatic Makes Special Appearance

In support of Bat-A-Thon for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

ARDSLEY — July 10, 2012 — We are excited to announce a special guest appearance by the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillie Phanatic at the Bat-A-Thon for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS – more commonly called “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) held at the Ardsley Community Center, located at 2828 Spear Avenue, Ardsley, PA 19038. The Phanatic will make his appearance at the fundraiser benefiting ALS on July 19, 2012, between the hours of 11:00am and 12:00noon. The Phanatic will be there to interact with those in attendance and to cheer on the kids as they take swings at ALS.
Bat-A-Thon
The Ardsley Community Center, in cooperation with Day Care Centers, Inc., has hosted the Bat-A-Thon fundraiser for the past six years. The Bat-A-Thon honors the relationship between baseball and ALS while supporting local community members impacted by this devastating disease.  Every participating child will get a chance to hit 5 balls off of a tee for a pledge amount in one set denomination of a parent’s choice, for instance: $5, $10, $25, $100, etc.
“I want to thank you for raising awareness and financial contributions,” said Jessica Whittingham, local community member whose family was impacted by ALS. ”The ALS Association is sent from the heavens.”
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating progressive neuromuscular disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.  ALS is characterized by a degeneration of motor cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and, as the disease progresses, severe impairment of mobility, speech, swallowing and respiratory function.  Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS.  This means over 5,000 Americans are diagnosed with ALS each year.  There is no known cause or cure.  In the advanced stages, ALS care can cost up to $250,000 a year.  
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association provides support and resources for ALS patients, their families, and caregivers living in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware. The ALS Association is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.
Lou Gehrig's accomplishments on the baseball field made him an authentic American hero, but his tragic early death from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis made him a legend. The connection between ALS and baseball continues today.  The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association is proud to be the principal charity of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The ARDSLEY COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER began operations in November of 1978 with the cooperation of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act, the School District of Abington and the Bureau of Parks and Recreation of Abington Township. With the cooperation of these three agencies, the ARDSLEY COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER became a division of the Bureau of Parks and Recreation of Abington Township.

For more information about ALS and The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association, please visit www.alsphiladelphia.org.

For more information, press only:
Cynthia Clarke, 215.572.0862 x204, cclarke@daycarecentersinc.com

For more information on the Ardsley Community Center:
http://www.abington.org/parksrec/ardsleycomm.htm