SpringSpirit Baseball's Third Annual Breakfast For Champions Raises More Than $750,000

For more information contact: Shern-Min Chow 713.284.1073 Kelly Kimberly 713.328.5151

Houston (I-Newswire) February 11, 2013 - SpringSpirit Baseball, a Houston-based non-profit supporting underserved children in the North Spring Branch area, kicked off baseball season on Tuesday, February 5 with the Third Annual Breakfast for Champions at River Oaks Country Club. Funds raised are utilized to fund its community programs such as competitive sports teams, after-school educational and life skills/mentoring programs, as well as faith-based summer camps. The event raised more than three quarters of a million dollars. The funds will also support the operation of SpringSpirit's new community center, where programming can be expanded to include youth activities, meeting rooms, homework help, classrooms and other programming needs.

Dave Dravecky, former MLB pitcher and cancer survivor, was the keynote speaker. Honorary co-chairs were Cara and Lance Berkman and co-chairs were Melissa and Kenny Baldwin and Aimee and Wynne Snoots. Others attending the breakfast included Randolph Adami, Principal of Northbrook High School; Butch Alsandor; Councilwoman Helena Brown; Cody Carlson; Elsa DelGado, Principal of Hollibrook Elementary School; Larry Dierker; Gina Gaston-Elie; Greg Hurst; Dr. Jim Jackson of Chapelwood United Methodist Church; Dr. Duncan Klussman, Superintendent of Spring Branch Independent School District; Pastor Gregg Matte of Houston's First Baptist Church; Matt Musil; Dan Pastorini; Bo and Stacey Porter; Terry Puhl; Allan Ramirez; Brenda Stardig, Spring Branch Education Foundation Board Member; Mark Thurmond; and Kevin Witt.

"We are incredibly grateful to so many who have stepped up to give back to the community in such a meaningful way," said SpringSpirit co-chair Aimee Snoots. "Our outreach efforts are not just about baseball and softball. SpringSpirit Baseball is about providing a fun, safe environment for Spring Branch youth to learn, form lasting relationships and grow in their faith. Spring Spirit touches many in need throughout the Spring Branch area, and we're thankful that so many have given of their time and money to enrich children's lives."

About SpringSpirit Baseball
SpringSpirit Baseball, founded in 2010, is a Houston-based non-profit creating a unique community facility and programs benefiting Spring Branch youth. We provide safe pathways for youth to realize life opportunities through sports, education and mentoring programs based on Christian principles.

Spring Spirit serves youth age 4-14 and their families. The progress this new organization has made in the past year is significant:

- 185 kids have attended after-school programs, mentoring and sports teams for boys and girls
- An average of 100 kids visit the facility daily; and more than 500 participate in recreational programs each week
- More than 90 kids play on sports teams through SpringSpirit Baseball
- SpringSpirit introduced baseball and softball to more than 800 kids from five SBISD schools
- More than 30 community parents have been consistent volunteers for our programs
- More than 80 kids from the SpringSpirit program attend Christian summer camps

For more information visit: http://www.springspiritbaseball.org