Bobby Valentine is heading an effort to raise funds for Japanese disaster relief. From the press release:

Guests at Stamford on the Sound, an outdoor, tented event, will sample an array of the highest caliber of wines produced by the world’s most prestigious wineries. Attendees will also have the opportunity to savor a variety of culinary specialties from the area’s best-known eateries and catering facilities, as well as from leading restaurants in New York City. While enjoying the food and wine, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction featuring an array of items including one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia to trips and get away weekends.

Bobby Valentine’s interest in helping the victims of the disaster is both professional and personal, having lived and managed the Chiba Motte Marines in Japan for almost seven years. “Japan needs all of the help we are able to provide,” enthuses Valentine. “Everyone involved in this effort is committed to making sure that the money raised directly assists the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. It will take time for Japan to recover, and it will require both short-term emergency assistance and long-term aid. I am committed to a sustained effort to assist Japan’s recovery effort.”

Among the confirmed guests are a variety of baseball greats, including former New York Knicks Player Herb Williams, former New York Mets and New York Yankees player Darryl Strawberry, former pitcher for the New York Mets David Cone, former Major League Baseball player, coach, and manager Lee Mazzilli, American Major League Baseball executive for the New York Yankees Brian Cashman, and former General Manager of the New York Mets Omar Minaya. For $100, you get to eat, drink and meet good food, good wine and baseball stars. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening and help disaster victims.

Harvard College Sports Analysis Collective bracket challenge helps raise money for the disaster in Japan. It also puts a nice twist on the usual bracket scoring. Help those in need and have fun at the same time!

My good friend Dan Wechsler had his head shaved to raise money for cancer research. You can see the before and after pictures here, and can also make a donation.

Off to dinner with my daughter and a charity even for Youk’s Kids at Fenway Park. Probably will update Twitter via my phone.

MLB donated $1 million to relief in Haiti.

An event like this reminds us how lucky we are to live in a rich country, where even in these difficult economic times we’re much better off than on a good day in Haiti. I hope you’ll find a few dollars to donate to the relief effort. I donated to this group.

During the Hot Stove/Cool Music baseball panel on Saturday, Theo Epstein dedicated four scholarships from his charity to Peter Gammons. Peter started Hot Stove/Cool Music ten years ago as a fund raiser for the Jimmy Fund, and this scholarship recognizes that good work. Four students from the city of Boston will get full-paid scholarships each year.

John Stossel reports on what happens to the World Champion clothing with the losing team’s name on it:

It used to be destroyed; Major League Baseball didn’t like the idea of licensed products celebrating the wrong team. But a few years ago, in a burst of common sense, the league and retailers struck a deal with World Vision, a Christian aid group:

Instead of going into an incinerator, the new clothes now go to people in need.

Of course, in a few weeks some American who has been isolated in Africa is going to think the wrong team won the World Series. 🙂

Good for MLB, although I’m sure you’re paying for the donated shirt as well when you buy one for the actual winner. Just know that extra cost is going to a cause.

I received an e-mail today about an auction held by Jamie Moyer’s Foundation:

Americana Magic – Anything but the Dog Days with the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs

It’s a triple! – DREAM experiences with three of the League’s oldest teams and most classic American stadiums. Enjoy (4) field box tickets and photos on the field at Wrigley; (4) premium tickets (i.e. Diamond Club or equivalent) to a regular season Boston Red Sox game, PLUS a tour of Fenway park and batting practice viewing; and an amazing day with the Yankees at the NEW Yankee Stadium (details to be announced). Hotel accommodations for (4) included for all cities.

That sounds like a lot of fun. Bid early and often!

Celebrities for Charity is offering a raffle for great seats at Yankee Stadium for a Red Sox Yankees game. You have until September 23rd to enter.

Josh Beckett joined the Celebrities for Charity Foundation to raise money for the Josh Beckett Foundation:

The winner of the raffle will receive one bowling lane with the winner’s family/company name overhead at the Beckett Bowl 2009, which will be held on Thursday September 10, 2009 at Lucky Strike in Boston, MA. The winner and three guests will receive bowler passes and be personally coached by Josh for a frame. The team will than have their picture taken with Beckett and signed. The winner will also receive an additional 4 guest passes to bring more friends to the event.

The raffle prize additionally includes two tickets to a Sox game as Josh Beckett’s special guests, special access to team batting practice and two autographed Josh Beckett Jerseys.

Tickets are just two dollars and go to a great cause!

You can buy raffle tickets here.

Here’s your chance to help a good cause and win Fenway Monster Seats to a Yankees/Red Sox game.

The Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts hosts Extreme Home Makeover over the next two weeks, and Bay Path College acts as host. I program there part time and am off to volunteer at the kick-off pep rally this morning, so blogging will be light.

A representative of Teleflora writes:

For Father’s Day, Teleflora is teaming up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org to help raise awareness for prostate cancer and raise funds for research. Prostate cancer strikes one out of six American men.

As part of the partnership, in conjunction with the launch of Teleflora’s new baseball-themed bouquets, Big Hit and Play Ball, Teleflora will be making a donation to the Foundation. Additionally, Teleflora is running a sweepstakes in which the grand-prize winner will take a three-day baseball journey for two, with tickets to two major league games.

You can read the complete press release here, and see pictures of the bouquets here.

I received this via email today:

Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was the catcher for David Cone’s perfect game for the Bronx Bombers in 1999, will present his battery mate with the Jerry Girardi Award on June 15 at Girardi’s “Catch 25” benefit to assist Alzheimer’s research. The gala will be held at New York City’s Grand Central Oyster Bar. Girardi’s father is afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Cone will receive the second annual award. Girardi was last year’s inaugural recipient. Food Network host Sara Moulton and ESPNews anchor Mike Yam will also be among the honorees. For information and to purchase tickets contact 212.972.5337 or email johnnycigarpr@aol.com.

It would be worth attending just to see Sara Moulton!

Out of a tragedy comes a good reason to bid on Yankees tickets.

David Ortiz will give away tickets to Red Sox games this season:

The Red Sox slugger announced on Sunday the creation of his Papi Cares 2009 initiative. It will be a season-long ticket program that will provide families facing difficult financial problems, due to the weak economy, the opportunity to attend games. A different family will be selected for each home game for the entire season.

There’s a reason the fans love Ortiz so much (this and the walk-off home runs)!