Mat-Su Miners, NIT make donation to the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska following commemorative jersey sale

PALMER — The Mat-Su Miners were not able to field a team during the summer of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean the Miners staff took the summer off.

The Miners invited the Palmer Pioneers American Legion baseball program to use their ball park, Hermon Brothers Field. They also continued their fundraising efforts, and because of that the Miners were able to recently make a significant donation to an Alaska organization.

The Miners sold commemorative Mat-Su baseball jerseys throughout the summer at Pioneers games and on social media. The Alaska Baseball League program donated all of the proceeds, $4,175, to the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska. Northern Industrial Training, a frequent partner with the Miners on community endeavors, matched that total and also donated $4,175 to ASYMCA Alaska. The Miners’ Nuggets Booster Club also pitched in another $1,000 to ASYMCA Alaska.

The total: $9,350.

“The Mat-Su Miners feel like if we can give back to the community, we’re doing our part,” Miners marking and community relations director Denise Christopher said. “Our community gives so much to us.”

The blue button down jerseys with red, white and blue numbers and lettering follow the special Mat-Su camo jerseys that have been popular with players and fans during recent seasons. The Miners auctioned the camo jerseys during the 2019 season.

The idea of a jersey sale and fundraiser was born at a baseball convention. JJ Ethel, a representative with the New Balance sports apparel company, met with the Miners. Mat-Su already had a relationship with New Balance which expressed interest in teaming up on a special project. Christopher said New Balance donated jerseys for the first auction, and gave the Miners a tremendous discount for the American flag themed jerseys.

The Miners have also partnered with NIT on numerous occasions. Christopher said the Miners and NIT share the same philosophy and vision in terms of support of the community. Christopher added that the Miners, NIT and New Balance are all big supporters of the military.

“It’s a great partnership, New Balance, NIT and the booster club,” Christopher said.

The Miners sold 20 jerseys during the fundraiser. Christopher said jerseys were purchased by people from across the country. The Miners even shipped one jersey overseas.

“For not having a season and raising close to $10,000 to military in need, I’m thrilled,” Christopher said.

Sarah Riffer, the executive director for the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska, was also thrilled to receive the donation on behalf of her organization.

“We’re always thankful for any amount. Selling jerseys, especially in a year they couldn’t have games, that amount was very impressive,” Riffer said. “For NIT to double it is really incredible.”

Riffer said ASYMCA helps enhance the lives of military members and their families, and helps to fill the gaps in services they may be missing from the military and personal side. She said it’s not a membership program, and ASYMCA of Alaska can help all active duty members of the military.

ASYMCA of Alaska assists military families with food and financial assistance, and helps families who have a military member deployed. Riffer said the organization recently put together a winter clothing drive, and outfitted military families across the state with thousands of pieces of winter gear including parkas, boots and snow pants.

Riffer said the need to assist Alaska military families has been even greater during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has really been a struggle for us, like so many,” Riffer said.

Riffer said they have been assisting military families adjust to remote education during the pandemic. They are trying to solve problems they never thought they had to, such as making sure students have all of the paperwork and assignments they need for virtual education.

“Home printers are obsolete,” Riffer said.

Riffer said they have set up locations for items to be printed for families in larger communities, and are working with local print shops to distribute printed materials to families in remote areas of the state. Families have also found the need for more essential equipment and home internet.

“We’ve had requests we’ve never had before,” Riffer said.

Riffer said the organization is fortunate to have the support of major sponsors such as ConocoPhillips, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union and Petrostar. But all of the donations are important.

“We feel blessed to have so many community partners like the Mat-Su Miners,” Riffer said of the organization, which has been in Alaska since 1941. “The Mat-Su Miners donation and NIT matching dollar for dollar is incredible. It helps ensure we will continue to provide services for military members, especially as we enter the holiday season.”

For more on ASYMCA Alaska, see asymca.org/alaska.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.