Phillies Charities Annual Holiday Party

The Phillies charitable wing, Phillies Charities Inc., held their annual Holiday Party last night. It was a chance to both celebrate the holiday season while also honoring all of the local community groups that work with the team to make the club’s charitable endeavors such a success all year-long.

Phillies PR man Scott Palmer greeted the guests, applauding their efforts: “Once again we gather to celebrate all of your great work. All the great work done by each one of your organizations helping children, families, and neighbors in need.” 

More from That Balls Outta Here

• What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
• 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
• 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
• Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
• Could Rich Hill become ‘Jamie Moyer 2.0’ in Phillies rotation?

Palmer then introduced Phils President David Montgomery for some welcoming remarks. Looking thinner than usual and speaking with a slight lisp, Montgomery otherwise looking energetic, bright-eyed, and appeared healthy after his highly publicized cancer battle this past year.

“This is the one night that we don’t worry about wins and losses, because we all win tonight.” Said Montgomery, “And the reality is, it’s the one time that we have the ability to say that we are consistent in the community, regardless of how we are on the field.”

Taking the focus off the team, Montgomery went on: “The real purpose is not to have the spotlight on the Phillies…it’s to salute so many people that do so much in this community.”

Attendees included manager Ryne Sandberg, who stated “The Phillies do a tremendous job of raising money throughout the year. To have this opportunity to pass out some checks to some charities that are in need, it’s nice to be here.”

Further questioned by Palmer, Sandberg went on to say: “It’s teamwork. It’s the Phillies and the charities, and it all reaches out to people throughout the Delaware Valley. So it goes a long way.”

Palmer particularly pointed out the three decades of charitable endeavors between the Phils organization and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association.

Together the Phils and local ALS have raised over $15.2 million to fight ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’.

“It’s teamwork. It’s the Phillies and the charities, and it all reaches out to people throughout the Delaware Valley” ~ Ryne Sandberg

Others in the crowd that fans would recognize included GM Ruben Amaro, and broadcasters Tom McCarthy and Gregg Murphy.

Phillies Charities, Inc. is the fundraising arm of the organization. Through a number of organizations, it serves the Tri-State area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware as well as communities surrounding the Phils spring training home base of Clearwater, Florida.

The entire organization: players and their wives, management and coaches, Ballgirls and broadcasters, and of course the fans join in a variety of events throughout the year including auctions, raffles, dinners, clothing and food drives, and all manner of fundraisers.