The Cincinnati Reds are committed to utilizing our platform to spotlight resources that help our communities. Each month we will highlight a cause or topic and partners working to benefit our community in that area.
Unity in the Community
The Cincinnati Reds are committed to promoting positive initiatives in our community and for fans throughout Reds Country. Below you will learn more about efforts by Reds players and other activities the organization is a part of to help our communities and bring everyone in Reds Country together.
REDS COUNTRY CARES
NEWS AND EVENTS
Reds, Rangers Players Team Up to Visit Gigi¡¯s Playhouse
On March 31, Reds players Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft, along with Rangers players Jake Burger and Corey Seager, stopped by GiGi¡¯s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center. The visit propels the notion that Baseball Welcomes All, which is the initiative of focus for the Reds Country Cares program in the month of April.
The Reds and Rangers were proud to come together to celebrate connection, joy and belonging. Big Leagues, Big Impact.
The visit was made possible by The Burger Family Foundation.
Hunter Greene Hosts Equipment Giveaway in Local Community
One day after taking the mound at Great American Ball Park for 2025 Opening Day, Reds pitcher Hunter Greene provided baseball gear for over 400 youth baseball and softball players.
On March 28, Greene welcomed local kids ages 8-17 to Madisonville Recreation Center where the young ballplayers were given an assortment of equipment ranging from baseball cleats and fielding gloves to bats, bags and more. There was a DJ onsite along with free snacks, entertainment and a Graeter¡¯s Ice Cream truck for the three-hour event. The Reds All-Star partnered with Full Circle Consulting System, Inc., JustBats and local nonprofit Activities Beyond the Classroom to make the equipment drive possible.
Elly De La Cruz Lends a Hand at Freestore Foodbank
On March 26, Elly De La Cruz visited Bea Taylor Market at Freestore Foodbank to pitch in for water sustainability. The Reds¡¯ All-Star shortstop helped volunteers from the Holy Cross High School baseball team stock bottles of water at the local nonprofit while also taking time to sign autographs, pose for photos and speak with the media.
George Foster, Chuck Harmon Jr. Attend Reds Youth Academy Event
On February 6, the Reds Youth Academy hosted its third annual high school season sendoff honoring the RBI program¡¯s 2025 seniors and all the student-athletes preparing for their high school seasons.
After the seniors participated in a media day during the afternoon, the 125 baseball and softball players, parents coaches and guests gathered on the indoor field to take part in a program centered around Black History Month.
The Community Fund partnered with the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum to conduct a Jeopardy-style game that included questions spanning the Negro Leagues, statistical terms and MLB mascots, among others.
Reds Hall of Famer George Foster and Chuck Harmon Jr., son of the Reds¡¯ first Black player, Chuck Harmon Sr., served as special guests. The pair added color commentary and shared stories and insight pertaining to many of the questions in the game.
Reds Community Fund Celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Celebrated annually on February 5, National Girls and Women in Sports Day acknowledges the accomplishments of female athletes, influence of sports participation for women and girls, and continued progress and advocation for equality for women in sports.
This year, the Reds Youth Academy (RYA) hosted a panel discussion for a group of 35 RBI softball players. The panel was made up of four current Nike RBI Softball coaches and instructors, three of which were past RBI players who remain dedicated to giving back to Academy and community.
Panelists shared the importance of their time at the Academy and experiences as women in the sports world. They also fielded questions from the girls which covered a variety of topics, including college, legacy, the mental aspect of sports and so much more.
Brent Suter, Sam Hubbard Host Shoe Drive for Local Children
On February 5, pitcher Brent Suter, the Reds and Shoes 4 the Shoeless teamed up to put brand new shoes on the feet of 79 kids at Xavier Jesuit Academy.
Suter was joined by his longtime friend and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard for the shoe drive, where they were able to provide sneakers and socks to 48 students and 31 of their siblings.
Reds Players Participate in MLK Day of Service
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Reds group made its way around Cincinnati for a special service day which included stops at three local organizations: Freestore Foodbank, the Queen City Book Bank and the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy. Players lent a hand in the community throughout the morning and worked with RBI softball players in the evening.
2025 COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AWARD WINNERS
Each year, PNC and the Reds present a series of Community Advocate Awards to members of our community who make a positive impact in promoting diversity and inclusion.
Please join PNC and the Reds in congratulating the 2025 Community Advocate winners below.
African American Community ¨C Kathy Wade
Kathy Wade is a beloved entertainer, producer, arts and education entrepreneur, CEO, and community bridge-builder. The winner of multiple regional Emmy awards, she co-founded the nonprofit Learning Through Art, Inc. more than three decades ago. Kathy became one of the first Black women to earn a master's degree in arts administration from CCM and embarked on a prestigious singing career. Kathy has also been a recipient of the Ohio Arts Council's Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio. It is the most prestigious recognition for the arts in Ohio, and the only award conferred by the governor.
Jewish Community ¨C TBA
Winner will be recognized on Tuesday, May 13.
Pride Community ¨C TBA
Winner will be recognized on Friday, June 6.
Hispanic Community ¨C TBA
Winner will be recognized on Friday, September 19.
YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REDS MAKING AN IMPACT WITH RCF SCHOLARS
The Reds Community Fund (RCF) is focused on developing student-athletes into Major League Citizens, which is the objective of its newest program, RCF Scholars.
REDS YOUTH ACADEMY
The P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy is a state-of-the-art facility that supports thousands of kids and coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area. The academy serves as the home for the Cincinnati RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities) program, along with year-round baseball and softball clinics and activities for players and educational sessions for coaches. In addition to on-field instruction, academy programs also provide academic tutoring, mentoring and life-building opportunities for the young people who need it most.
MURALS WITH A MISSION
Launched in 2022, ¡°Murals With A Mission¡± powered by PNC Bank is an initiative that aims to create a mural at high school campuses across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that elevates positive social messages relevant to each school¡¯s student body. Local artist Brent Billingsley works with student organizations to develop the message and artwork.