Georgia Ports is helping Savannah Bananas fans head to Grayson Stadium this year by donating tickets to several local groups.
The recipients of season tickets are Frank Callan Boys & Girls Club and the Greenbriar Children’s Center. In addition, 10 single-game tickets were distributed via email to the Savannah Public Housing Authority.
“We hope these Savannah Bananas tickets offer a fun time at the ballpark and bring smiles to the faces of each recipient,” said Georgia Ports Human Resources Operations Manager Charles Pennington.
Greenbriar Children’s Center Executive Director Gena Taylor said the tickets are very timely. Programs at the facility include early childhood education, family preservation and emergency shelter services.
“This will make a big difference for the families we serve,” Taylor said. “This will allow the families to have an outlet which is so important during these times.”
Frank Callan Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Vince Delmonte agreed the tickets will be a treat for the families they serve. The organization recently reopened their summer camp at a reduced capacity. Programs aim to set children up for academic success, boost physical fitness and health, and build strong leadership and character skills. During the COVID-19 crisis, the group partnered with Second Harvest of Savannah to provide summer meals.
“We are going to select a different family to attend each of the games,” Delmonte said. “This is a great opportunity for families to stay engaged and really enjoy being together.”
Emily and Jesse Cole launched the Savannah Bananas in 2015. Since then, the team has built a dedicated fan base. The Savannah Bananas currently have an 88-game sold-out streak.
Savannah Bananas Vice President Berry Aldridge said this season, the organization will be taking extra precautions amid COVID-19 concerns. This includes less face-to-face interaction, socially distant seating, hand sanitizing stations, temperature checks and reduced capacity for games.
“We are taking every social measure to make sure it’s fun and different,” Aldridge said. “We want to give people an experience they’ve never had at a ballpark.”
