There's a lot more to having the Pittsburg Pirates in Bradenton than baseball.  Pirates Charities and the Bradenton Boosters are also hard at work helping to make a difference in our community.

As part of Pirates Charities Adopt-a-School program, which was created in 2014, the Pittsburgh Pirates have entered into a partnership with the Mosaic Company and the Manatee Education Foundation to provide $30,000 in support to six Manatee County elementary and middle schools in the coming year.

The funds will be utilized to help purchase items such as school supplies and books for Wakeland Elementary School of International Studies, Ballard Elementary School, G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School, Myakka City Elementary and Martha B. King Middle School.  Wakeland Elementary will also receive help aimed at improving its reading and literacy initiative.

Such generosity would not be possible without the dedication of our very own Bradenton Boosters.  The Bradenton Boosters have been volunteering at Pirates Spring Training since 1969, working at McKechnie Field as ushers, program sellers, parking lot attendants, security personnel, merchandise sellers, and press box attendants.

In addition to volunteering their time, the group has made annual financial donations to help to grow several Pirates Charities programs in Manatee County.  Earlier this month, they made a donation to Pirates Charities for the 2016 season, presenting a check for $35,000 to Pirates Senior Director of Florida Operations Trevor Gooby.

The Bradenton Boosters conduct several events for its members each year, including a breakfast in January and a luncheon in February -- plus a trip to Pittsburgh each summer.  Anyone interested in getting involved with this wonderful group can get a membership application at McKechnie Field on any spring training game day.

The attorneys at Heintz & Becker extend their thanks to Pirates Charities and the Bradenton Boosters.  We feel extremely fortunate to have Pirates baseball and these great organizations in our community and urge all of our readers to get out to the ballpark and support our team.  Go Pirates!

Source(s): OurSports Central, "Bradenton Boosters Make Annual Donation', posted March 7, 2016; OurSports Central, "Pirates Adopt a School Program to Help Local Schools", posted March 17, 2016