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Junior Giants Stretch Drive under way

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MLB.com

07/10/09 3:50 AM ET

Hall of Famer Willie McCovey and the Giants continue to make a splash in the community.

The Junior Giants Stretch Drive is under way, raising money and awareness for the Giants Community Fund's flagship Junior Giants Baseball Program. The four-day fundraising drive started Thursday and continues through Sunday.

"I am involved with this fundraising drive, because I believe in providing kids with the opportunity to play organized baseball for free, and I want to do all I can to ensure that the Junior Giants Baseball Program is available in as many communities to as many children as possible," McCovey said.

A $44 contribution to the program allows one child the opportunity to play Junior Giants baseball for a year while a donation of $440 equips a full team of 10 children for the entire season. Additionally, a donation of $4,400 establishes a new league for 100 children.

Fans can contribute at the ballpark through the Stretch Drive raffle, online at www.jrgiants.org or by texting STRETCH to 40579. 

"Our Junior Giants Baseball Program is one of our organization's proudest endeavors," said Bill Neukom, Giants managing general partner and CEO. "It provides children with the opportunity to play baseball at no cost and gives them the opportunities to learn about character development, qualify for scholarships to assist with college, and develop their literary skills. The Giants organization is not only asking fans to make a pledge but also our investors, sponsors, vendors, alumni, players and front office." The call for donations to support the Junior Giants Stretch Drive is being made with support of Giants media partners KNBR 680, NBC Bay Area and Comcast Sports Net. Additionally, Giants sponsors and vendors, including ANC Sports, AAA Flag & Banner and Quad Express, have donated in-park signage and scoreboard messages to the Stretch Drive effort throughout the weekend series against San Diego.

The Stretch Drive was created in McCovey's honor to help the Fund continue to provide a free non-competitive baseball program for 15,000 boys and girls in more than 80 communities.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.