BOSTON, MA ¨C The Boston Red Sox, in partnership with JetBlue, today distributed over 40,000 Red Sox hats to Boston Public Schools (BPS) students and staff at 104 K-8 schools across the city. This year¡¯s hat giveaway launched with an event at Gardner Pilot Academy in Allston earlier this morning that included City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy, Red Sox Partner and Foundation Board Member Linda Henry, and JetBlue Director of Airport Operations Dan Blake. The hat giveaway to Boston Public Schools students began in 2017 in partnership with JetBlue, the official airline of the Boston Red Sox, to connect baseball to the next generation of fans.
¡°Hat Day has grown into something special,¡± said Sam Kennedy, Red Sox President & CEO. ¡°What started as a simple idea ¨C getting a Red Sox hat on every kid in the city ¨C has turned into one of our favorite traditions. It¡¯s a day that brings smiles, pride, and a little extra joy to schools across Boston. We¡¯re so lucky to have a partner like JetBlue that shares our commitment to this community. And we¡¯re especially thankful to Mayor Wu ¨C her support and focus on young people have helped make this day what it is. There¡¯s nothing better than giving kids a reason to feel connected to their city and their team.¡±
¡°The energy around Hat Day is electric ¨C it brings joy, pride, and reinforces a sense of unity within our schools across BPS,¡± said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. ¡°When our students put on these hats, they¡¯re not just wearing Red Sox colors¡ªthey¡¯re wearing a symbol of community and connection. All of us at BPS appreciate the Red Sox and JetBlue for their continued commitment to supporting our students and staff, not just today, but all year long.¡±
The club also filled Gardner Pilot Academy¡¯s Catie¡¯s Closet with hundreds of articles of Red Sox apparel. Catie¡¯s Closet is a nonprofit providing access to clothing and basic necessities for students to discreetly shop, free of charge. The organization operates at various schools throughout the city and region.