Nationals Dream Foundation Raises Over $600,000

The final figures are now in and The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation raised over $600,000 at their Dream Gala on May 3rd. All proceeds gathered will head directly into The Foundation's Core Programs--initiatives focused on children's education, health and recreation.

This third of a scheduled annual event was held at the new Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Prince Georges County. As you may recall--the evening's events included a Cocktail Hour with Silent Auction--attended by most every player for Our Washington Nationals. Also--a live auction was conducted after dinner where Our General Manager Jim Bowden put on quite the show--in an attempt to raise money for the many kids in need.

Sohna and I were honored to attend and join in the night's festivities.

Here is The Official Press Release.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS 2008 DREAM GALA RAISED OVER $600,000

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation’s third annual Dream Gala, presented by the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center raised over $600,000 at the May 3, 2008 event. Proceeds from the event, which included a cocktail reception, silent & live auctions, dinner and dancing, will benefit the initiatives of the Dream Foundation. “The impressive sum raised at this years Dream Gala is due to our many supporters who are enthusiastic about the work our Foundation is doing in the community,” said Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Chair Marla Lerner Tanenbaum. “We are grateful to our presenting sponsor Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, partners, Nationals broadcasters Don Sutton and Bob Carpenter, team officials and Nationals coaches and players for their participation in this successful event.”

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation’s programs are focused on children’s education, health and recreation. The cornerstone programs of the Dream Foundation are the creation of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, in partnership with the District government, that will teach the game of baseball and provide after-school educational programs for children in the District; the creation of the Washington Nationals Pediatric Diabetes Care Complex at Children’s National Medical Center, a world-class facility that will provide a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting families of children with diabetes; and the Neighborhood Initiative, benefiting the Earth Conservation Corps and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington – Hopkins Branch, created to support small, non-profit organizations in the area surrounding Nationals Park with grants, in-kind donations and additional resources.

For more information about the Washington Nationals or the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, visit nationals.com or washingtonnationalsdreamfoundation.org.

Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Mission Statement

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the Washington Nationals Baseball Club are committed to community partnerships that improve the lives of children and families across the Washington Capital Region. The Foundation's cornerstone programs are focused on children's education, health and recreation. A 501(c)3 charitable organization, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation has committed to, among other projects, a partnership with the D.C. Government to build the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy to teach the game of baseball and provide after school educational programs for children in the DC region.