JUNE '06
IMPACT A HERO - JUNE 3
The Astros hosted 50 disabled veterans from all over the United States at the game with the Cincinnati Reds on Impact a Hero Day. The group had the opportunity to meet some of the Astros players and coaches during batting practice and watched the game from a suite in Minute Maid Park. The veterans were also recognized in a special pregame ceremony. The Impact a Hero Day visit was organized by Impact Player Partners, a nonprofit organization consisting of business leaders, athletes, entertainers and sports franchises dedicated to providing continuous emotional, career and financial support to American military personnel who are severely injured or disabled due to serving all Americans in the War on Terror.

COCA-COLA KIDS OPENING DAY - JUNE 3
Coca-Cola Kids Opening Day has become an annual event at Houston Astros games, helping Houston-area youth celebrate the start of the summer. Several Junior Astros, selected from the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies Club, took an active part in various ballpark duties. The game-day functions they performed included announcing the game on radio, assisting the grounds crew, joining the Coca-Cola Park Patrol, selling peanuts, and assisting the public address announcer.

MAY '06
ASTROS RACE FOR THE PENNANT - MAY 31
The 4th Annual Astros Race for the Pennant 5k/Walk and Junction Jack's Kids Fun Run was held on Saturday, May 27 in downtown Houston. Approximately 2,300 people participated in the Astros Race for the Pennant, presented by The Methodist Hospital in partnership with the JLH Foundation. All proceeds from the race benefited the Astros in Action Foundation.

ASTROS ALUMNI GOLF CLASSIC - MAY 18
The Houston Astros held the 2nd Annual Astros Alumni Golf Classic presented by Hewlett-Packard at the Wildcat Golf Club, the preferred course of the Houston Astros. All proceeds from this event benefited the Astros in Action Foundation. Many former and current Astros were in attendance, including several members from the 1986 NLCS team.

APRIL '06
BIGGIO RECEIVES HUTCH AWARD - APRIL 22
Astros player Craig Biggio was re-presented with the prestigious Hutch Award in a special pregame ceremony. Established in 1964 to honor baseball great Fred Hutchinson, the Hutch Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies his fighting spirit and competitive desire.

JACKIE ROBINSON DAY - APRIL 17
The Astros held Jackie Robinson Day at Minute Maid Park at the game against the Brewers. The Astros made it possible for hundreds of Houston-area children to attend the game. The evening was highlighted by a ceremonial first pitch from J.C. Hartman, the National Anthem sung by Mary Griffin, and an Astros/Majic 102/ Cal Citrus Lucky Fan Giveaway.

HOMETOWN HERO - APRIL 8
Conroe-area resident Jim Sherman, 54, was chosen for the Astros in Action Foundation Hometown Heroes award and was recognized in a special ceremony prior to the start of the game with the Washington Nationals. On March 27, 2006, Sherman entered the burning home of neighbor Annie Smith, 84, and led her to safety. Sherman, who is blind, heard pleas from Smith, who is also blind, and used his walking stick to navigate the house and pull her to safety. The Astros Hometown Heroes Program recognizes everyday people from our community that have helped their neighborhoods in extraordinary ways.

ASTROS IN ACTION FOUNDATION OPENING DAY BLOOD DRIVE - APRIL 7
The Astros in Action Foundation, in conjunction with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and ARAMARK, hosted their annual Opening Day Blood Drive at Minute Maid Park. The drive was the first of four held at the ballpark in 2006.

ASTROS IN ACTION FOUNDATION LEADOFF LUNCHEON - APRIL 7
The Houston Astros held the 2nd Annual Astros in Action Foundation Leadoff Luncheon benefiting the Astros in Action Foundation with special guest James Denton from ABC's hit television show Desperate Housewives. With the help of generous sponsors such as Diamond Level title sponsor Minute Maid, the Leadoff Luncheon raised nearly $175,000 to benefit the Astros in Action Foundation with a portion of the proceeds going to support autism charities.

All of the players on the Astros Opneing Day roster were in attendance. Astros owner Drayton McLane, General Manager Tim Purpura, Manager Phil Garner, actor James Denton and Minute Maid's Mike Saint John were also in attendance. Hall of Fame Broadcaster Milo Hamilton emceed the event with the assistance from Astros broadcasters Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond.

GSFYB FIELD REFURBISHMENT - APRIL 5
St. Monica Catholic Church was selected as the fourth youth ball field to be refurbished through Grand Slam for Youth Baseball. Officials from the Astros, Minute Maid, St. Monica Catholic Church, outfielder Chris Burke, and Astros Hall of Fame Broadcaster Milo Hamilton were among those taking part in the ribbon cutting.

MARCH '06
ASTROS SPRING TRAINING WEEK OF CARING - MARCH 4-8
The Astros extended their community efforts to their Spring Training home in Kissimmee, Florida with the Spring Training Week of Caring. Events included the ballpark visits by children from Give Kids the World and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida; The annual "Make Reading Come Alive" with 400 elementary school students from Kissimmee's Heritage Christian School; and the National Education Association's "Read Across America" event with 125 students from Kissimmee's Thacker Elementary School.

FEBRUARY '06
ASTROS FANFEST AND MINUTE MAID COLLEGE CLASSIC - FEBRUARY 11-12
The annual Astros FanFest and Minute Maid College Classic, benefiting the Astros in Action Foundation, gave fans the opportunity to obtain autographs, take pictures with their favorite Astros players, and participate in a variety of other activities.

ASTROS WINTER CARAVAN - January/February
The Astros Winter Caravan featured visits to schools, community centers, luncheons, hospitals and free autograph sessions for fans at Academy Sports & Outdoors locations around Houston, Central Texas and other Texas cities during January and February. All totaled, 25 Astros players, coaches, and front office personnel made 32 stops in 21 cities over 11 days.

2005 Community Projects »