DENVER (KDVR) — When the Colorado Rockies hit a home run at Coors Field this summer, it could benefit more than just the team’s score; the run will also help a local nonprofit.
If a Rockies player hits a home run that lands on the “Hit the Mitt” banner in the left-hand field tunnel, UCHealth will donate $5,000 to Freedom Service Dogs, a nonprofit that breeds, raises, trains and places service dogs with individuals to help them live their fullest lives.
“We’re excited to partner with an organization doing so much to improve the lives of people with disabilities,” said Manny Rodriguez, chief marketing, experience and customer officer for UCHealth. “Hit the Mitt is one of many ways UCHealth partners with Colorado Rockies to help people in with our communities, and we’re excited to see how many times the players can score a donation to Freedom Service Dogs.”
This will be the eighth “Hit the Mitt” season at Coors Field. During the 2024 season, Rockies players hit the mitt five times and raised $25,000 for Next Chapter.
According to UCHealth, in 2024, 36 service dogs were provided for free through Freedom Service Dogs. Each dog receives up to 18 months of training at a cost of more than $50,000.
“We believe dogs make a life-changing difference for people with disabilities,” said Chris Nelson, president and CEO of Freedom Service Dogs. “In some cases, they make a life-saving difference, especially for our nation’s veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, such as PTSD. We also provide service dogs for young adults with autism and individuals with physical disabilities.”
UCHealth selects a new beneficiary that helps Coloradans every year.
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