University of Phoenix supports Arizona Diamondbacks Winter Classic celebration
By Sharla Hooper
More than 100 Phoenix-based employees volunteered at the event benefitting community children
University of Phoenix is proud to support the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Winter Classic event each year with employee volunteers and as the presenting partner. The 24th annual D-backs Winter Classic, presented by University of Phoenix, took place over three days, December 6 – 8, with 364 children in the Valley of the Sun community attending, and 468 total participating.
The annual event provides Valley schoolchildren from low-income, at-risk schools with a day of celebration, fun, and giving, with gifts provided by the University and Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. The baseball field is transformed into a Winter Wonderland featuring visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as music, crafts, and a friendly game of baseball. This year’s activities included a Reading Corner & Santa Station, a shoe station, a Lego station, DJ & games, and a baseball station.
“This is such a great celebration,” shared John Woods, Ph.D., chief academic officer and provost of University of Phoenix. “There’s a kind of magic that comes from being on the baseball field together. We’re honored to work with the D-backs and help the kids create happy holiday memories.”
More than 100 University of Phoenix, Phoenix-based employee volunteers joined D-backs players, coaches and staff, participating as volunteers handing out backpacks filled with new shoes, cap, sweatshirt, and books to children.
“We are grateful to our friends at University of Phoenix for 10 years of support of the Winter Classic,” stated Derrick Hall, Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO. “This annual event gives the children the joy of being in the holiday spirit for a couple of hours as well as much-needed shoes, sweatshirts and more. The University’s staff helps make this event so impactful, and it has become an important and desired volunteer opportunity for them.”
The University of Phoenix has been a proud supporter of the Winter Classic since 2012.
View a video recap of the event here.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
About the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks provide industry-leading entertainment in a clean, safe and family-friendly environment and make a positive impact on its fans and civic partners. Their mission is guided by the Circle of Success: team performance, fan experience, financial efficiency, workplace culture, and community contribution. The D-backs’ pinnacle on-field moments include their 2001 World Series title and 5 National League West division titles. Since being established in 1997, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has donated nearly $75 million in charitable contributions to the Arizona community. The team established D-backs for Change to level the playing field with an unequivocal commitment to improving organizational diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeking to improve the lives of those who have been and continue to be disadvantaged as a result of systemic social injustice. The club, established in 1995 and whose inaugural season was in 1998, plays their home games in downtown Phoenix at Chase Field, the first Major League Baseball stadium to feature a pool as well as a retractable roof over a natural-grass playing surface (now synthetic grass). For more information, please visit dbacks.com and losdbacks.com and connect on social media via @Dbacks and @LosDbacks.
