PHOTOS: YES Safe Choices, Senator Fred Akshar and Lourdes Hospital Welcome Community Families Back to the Ballpark at Mirabito Stadium with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies

(BINGHAMTON, NY) YES Safe Choices, Senator Fred Akshar, Lourdes Hospital and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted a special “Welcome Back to the Ballpark” double-header at Mirabito Stadium.

Welcome Back to the Ballpark is a free event sponsored by YES Safe Choices in conjunction with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, where families and local nonprofit and community organizations can request tickets to enjoy the afternoon and evening Rumble Ponies games.

Nearly 3,000 free tickets were distributed to local families and community organizations, including Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, YMCA, Vestal Campus Preschool, NoMa, PTA Vestal Schools, Liberty Partnership, Family Enrichment Network, Gigi’s Playhouse, River of Life Ministries, PAL Summer Camp and CHIPS Program Binghamton

The event is an opportunity for families to spend time together creating positive memories in a safe, drug-free environment.

“Tonight is all about providing our community’s children and families with the opportunity to spend time together in a fun, safe environment,” said Senator Fred Akshar. “I want to thank our partners YES Safe Choices, Lourdes Hospital and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies for working so hard to help put this night together. The more we can provide safe environments for our families and the more we can talk with our kids about the importance of being drug free, the more likely our kids will be able to make safe choices and be successful going forward.”

"As a sponsor, Lourdes supports the valuable work of YES! Safe Choices," said Kathy Connerton, President & CEO of Lourdes Hospital. "We understand how important substance abuse prevention is and the influence parents and family have on the choices our youth make.  This family-friendly event is a great way to bring families together and encourage our youth to make positive, healthy life choices."

YES Safe Choices is a partnership between Senator Akshar and Lourdes Hospital. For more information on YES Safe Choices, please visit www.YesSafeChoices.org.