New York Mets star pitcher R.A. Dickey was the guest of honor as United Neighborhood Houses of New York, Citi, the Mets, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation brought the Citi Field Kids Program to Riis Settlement on August 8, 2012. The baseball-themed day began with a presentation for 100 4th through 8th graders at Riis’s Queensbridge auditorium, hosted by Michelle Yu, sports anchor at SNY TV. Among the speakers were Eileen Auld from Citi Global Community Relations, Riis Settlement Executive Director Bill Newlin, and a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar, followed by the all-star pitcher, who spoke about persistence and gave a quick demonstration of his famed knuckleball. The theme of the presentation were Jackie Robinson’s nine principles- citizenship, commitment, courage, determination, excellence, integrity, justice, persistence, and teamwork- and how they can help young people achieve their dreams.
Next, it was on to nearby Queensbridge Park for baseball clinics led by Mr. Dickey and members of the Stony Brook University baseball team, who made it to this year’s college world series. Then, the kids and their chaperones headed back to Riis for a healthy boxed lunch courtesy of Citi and a chance to meet and greet another baseball celebrity- Mr. Met! The kids from Riis Settlement’s four summer camps found the event exhilarating and inspiring. As 12-year old Mets fan Jonathan Tran told a reporter, “I’m really excited, and it’s awesome because I’ve never met a professional baseball player. It’s important to me that he’s here.” We share Jonathan’s excitement and say thank you to Citi, the Mets, United Neighborhood Houses of New York, and our many special guests!
To learn more about Citi Field Kids and our partners at United Neighborhood Houses of New York, click here.
