"Jerseys Off Our Backs" raises more than $18,000 for Atlanta Braves Foundation
07/30/2005 9:30 PM ET
MLB.com

Atlanta Braves players and manager Bobby Cox, literally took the jerseys off their backs on Saturday, July 30, to raise more than $18,000 for the Atlanta Braves Foundation and several other non-profit groups, while Braves pitcher John Smoltz also took time to collect more than 5,000 pounds of food to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, at the Atlanta Braves Foundation Strike Out Hunger Food Drive before the game.
Now in its fifth year, the Braves' popular "Jerseys Off Our Backs" promotion raised more than $18,000 to benefit the Atlanta Braves Foundation and non-profit organizations including Children's Restoration Network, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, Hands on Atlanta, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, and the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

In a postgame ceremony, Atlanta Braves players and Bobby Cox took the jerseys off their backs and presented them to the lucky winners on the field. Fans making donations to the Atlanta Braves Foundation received raffle tickets and were eligible to win one of 28 game-worn jerseys.

Before the game, Braves pitcher John Smoltz continued his mission to "Strike Out Hunger," signing autographs in exchange for 20 cans of food or $20 at a food drive to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The food drive collected more than 5,000 pounds of food to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, while Smoltz signed more than 500 autographs in exchange for the donations. Smoltz also donates $100 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank for every strikeout he records, making his contribution to the food bank $11,400 (114 K's) so far this season.

The Atlanta Braves Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Atlanta Braves that actively supports community organizations and their programs within the metro Atlanta area. Since its inception in 1992, the Atlanta Braves Foundation has provided support to thousands of metro Atlanta-based organizations, and has annually contributed more than 1 million dollars in financial and in-kind assistance to the community. Through the generous support of Braves players, employees, sponsors and fans, the Atlanta Braves Foundation continuously strives to improve the quality of life for our youth.