2ND ANNUAL POLICE VS. FIRE BASEBALL CLASSIC, PRESENTED BY COUNTRY BANK AT POLAR PARK, RAISES $15,750 FOR WHY ME & SHERRY’S HOUSE

To launch Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the 2^nd annual Police vs. Fire Baseball Classic, presented by Country Bank at Polar Park on Sunday, August 27, raised $15,750 for Why Me & Sherry’s House, a Worcester nonprofit that provides resources and support to children battling cancer and their families.

The Worcester Police Officers defeated the Worcester Firefighters 14–3 in nine innings.

As the home team, the Worcester Fire Department selected Why Me & Sherry’s House to benefit from this year’s event in honor of retired Fire Captain Mark Wyco, who lost his daughter Bridget to childhood cancer in 1996.

After the game, the Worcester Red Sox and Country Bank presented the check for $15,750 to Rebecca Kuczarski, the Executive Director of Why Me & Sherry’s House.

They also presented the 2023 Paul Scully Most Valuable Player Award to Officer Ty Sterner, a southpaw who allowed just two hits and one run in six innings pitched.  The Worcester native, who has served in the Worcester Police Department for two years, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 23^rd round of the 2014 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft from the University of Rhode Island.  However, a pair of Tommy John surgeries cut his professional baseball career short.

As the M.V.P., Officer Sterner won a Country Bank jersey, four V.I.P. tickets to a future WooSox game—at which he will be honored with the opportunity to throw a Ceremonial First Pitch—and a gift card to The Mercantile Restaurant.

“There was an extraordinary feeling at this year’s event,” said Dr. Charles A. Steinberg, President of the Worcester Red Sox and the WooSox Foundation.  “Our first responders are the heart and soul of Worcester, and we believe this friendly but competitive game will continue to grow into a civic treasure.  We thank our friends and founding partners at Country Bank for collaborating with us yet again on what has become one of the most fun—and impactful—events of the year.”

“Country Bank is honored to partner with the Worcester Red Sox Foundation in presenting the Police vs. Fire game,” said Paul Scully, President and CEO of Country Bank. “We have been a longtime supporter of the Police and Fire Departments across the many markets we serve. The critical work these departments do each and every day truly makes a difference for our communities. It is also our privilege to support Why Me Sherry’s House with this year’s donation to assist them in the great work they do for Childhood Cancer.”

At the inaugural game September 26, 2022, $15,680 was raised for the Manny 267 Foundation, which honors and celebrates the life of the late Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia, who made the ultimate sacrifice June 4, 2021, when he heroically dove into Green Hill Pond to attempt to save a drowning teenage boy.

In its first two years, the event raised $31,430 for local causes that hit home for Worcester’s first responders.

Country Bank is one of the WooSox’ 21 founding partners.  The WooSox Foundation and Country Bank also collaborate on the “Most Valuable Teachers” (MVTs) program, which recognizes extraordinary teachers in the region, as well as the “WooStars” program, which rewards nonprofits driving social change across Central Massachusetts.

So far in 2023, the WooSox Foundation has donated $88,760 toward the effort to conquer cancer.