Though  Winnipegs baseball team Goldeyes have not been having the greatest season this year, spirits were up on August 24th when hundreds of families gathered at CanWest Global Park to celebrate the second annual B’nai Brith Nite with the Goldeyes.

B’nai Brith’s Midwest Region distributed over seven hundred tickets to 24 different organizations including Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Jewish Child & Family, Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics (See full list at the end of the article). Another one hundred tickets were sold to those in the general community. Included with each ticket was a Goldeyes souvenir and a voucher for a Nip,  chips, donut and drink, provided by Salisbury House.

Earl J. Barish, Chair of the Executive Board of B’nai Brith, was very happy and excited by the kind acts of B’nai Brith. “You have to be here and experience the feeling of gratitude that goes both ways. You can see how appreciative the recipients of the food are. There is also a true feeling of fulfillment when you are on the giving end.” Barish spent the evening with his family greeting those who received donated tickets, helping to give out food from Salisbury House, and enjoying the game.

The overall air at the event was one of gratitude, awe and excitement. Those who participated thought it was incredible to see the food, tickets and souvenirs all donated from a Jewish organization. One participant was grateful that B’nai Brith was “giving back to the community, whether they are black or white, rich or poor.” Another felt the evening was a “great, great community event” and a “fun family night”. Garth Caddoo, a representative from DASCH Inc (Direct Action in Support of Community Homes) attended the event with participants of Special Olympics. Although he did not know much about B’nai Brith before, the Nite with the Goldeyes gave him a very good impression of the organization. “I think this is a great idea, and these guys [Special Olympics athletes] appreciate it a lot.”

Those who received tickets were treated to a spectacular, albeit chilly, evening. Fans were entertained by dance breaks, giveaways, the seventh inning stretch and cheering on the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Many were even treated to a hug, high five or picture with Goldie, the Goldeyes mascot. For the entire evening, smiles, laughter and full bellies could be seen in the three very full sections filled by those attending the event.

Many from the community were proud to support B’nai Brith, including Andrew Swan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, and John Orlikow, city councillor for River Heights – Fort Gary Ward, who both attended the event. Swan was astounded by the positive impact B’nai Brith has to bring people who otherwise couldn’t come [to a baseball game] to a fun Winnipeg summer event. He was very interested in seeing what B’nai Brith does in the community and wants to keep his eye on the good things they are doing in Winnipeg and more broadly in the country. Orlikow thought it was “good to see happy, smiling, excited kids who have probably never been to a game before.” The councillor feels it is expected of B’nai Brith to give back to the community, however at every event they “always surpass [his] expectations.” Other community supporters who were unable to attend were Marty Morantz and Michael Kowalson.

Paul Meyerson and Spencer Fernando, students active within B’nai Brith, attended the event in high spirits and with high praise. Meyerson felt B’nai Brith was providing a good service while building bridges and creating new friendships between organizations in the city. Fernando simply stated, “This is another example of B’nai Brith’s exemplary record of service to the people of Winnipeg and Manitoba.”

The evening ended late with extra innings but the Goldeyes came out ahead winning 2-1 over the Rockford RiverHawks and the event was celebrated with an excellent fireworks show. All of the participants cannot wait until next year when B’nai Brith’s commitment to serving the community will continue with another spectacular night of fun, food and baseball.

B’nai Brith Sponsored 24 organizations donating over 700 tickets and food vouchers to families from: Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, CancerCare, Children’s Rehab Foundation, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre, Inner City Football League, Jewish Child & Family Service, MacDonald Youth Services, Main Street Project, Marymound, Meals on Wheels, NEEDS (Newcomers Employ and Ed Development), Oak Table, Opportunities for Independence, R.B. Russell Y-Not Downtown Y Program, Ronald McDonald Room, Rossbrook House, Siloam Mission,  Society of Manitobans with Disabilities, Special Olympics, Variety, the Childrens Charity, Villa Rosa, Winnipeg Child and Family Services, and Winnipeg Harvest.

The event was sponsored by Calgary’s Winnipeg Club, Mirage Consulting Ltd – Max Feierstein, Salisbury House of Canada Ltd, Paul Knight – Midwest Quilting, Jack Lazareck, Wayne & Lisa Nemy, Stephen Rosenfield, Tallman Foundation, Diamonds Baseball Team, Fetching Style Dog Grooming, Football Manitoba, Sam & Joanne Katz, Manitoba Lodge 1616, Marty & Lisa Morantz, Aubrey Margolis, West Kildonan Lodge 2240, Winnipeg Sports Lodge 3313, Chochy’s New & Used, Sid Dashefsky, Eden Memorials, Howie Gilmore, Shael Glesby, Ken Kronson, Brian MacKinnon’s Anti-Poverty Program Inc, Garth Nemy, Raber Glove, Western Scrap Metal and W.K. Chan.

About B’nai Brith: B’nai Brith has been active in Manitoba since 1909. Well known as a training ground for community leaders, B’nai Brith Canada plays a primary role in local, national and international human rights advocacy and education, in confronting racism and discrimination, in cultural enrichment and community action.