Southington Youth Baseball League Is $10,000 Richer

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A local youth baseball organization is $10,000 richer after it was a winner in a national sandwich chain's community giveaway contest.

D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches announced Thursday the Southington Western Baseball League is the third of five winners in the D’Angelo $55,000 Neighborhood Giveaway, a celebration of the sandwich shop chain’s 55th year in business.

Throughout the summer, D’Angelo is awarding $10,000 to five community partner organizations that receive the most votes, alongside $1,000 to five lucky voters across New England, totaling $55,000 in donations.

Team members at each participating restaurant were asked to identify an organization in their community to partner with for the program.

The organizations chosen support a variety of community-based services and needs, such as youth and family services, recreation, healthcare, housing services, community centers, and many more.

With 8,373 votes, the third partner organization to be awarded $10,000 is the Southington Western Baseball League.

"We are so excited to see these funds benefit the young athletes in Southington," said Deena McKinley, chief experience officer at D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches. “Team sports are so important for kids to develop a sense of community, responsibility, and leadership skills, and the Southington Western Baseball League is an organization that gives kids a place to learn good sportsmanship in a supportive environment while coaches, parents and volunteers alike can cheer them on."

On Thursday, July 14, the D’Angelo team at 641 Queen St. in Southington presented Brian Perrella, Matthew Preson, Garret Ludden and Shelby Ludden of the Southington Western Baseball League with a check in the amount of $10,000, joined by players from the little league.

The donation will help fund a number of renovations and improvements, including:

• Equipment for players, including baseballs, helmets, catchers’ gear.

• Equipment for coaches to maintain fields and facility, including rakes, marking lime, speedy dry.

• Improvements and supplies for the parent-run concession stand, including a freezer for ice cream and cooler for sodas and energy drinks

• Potential larger investments such as a new scoreboard or large-scale facility renovations

“Teamwork is the foundation of baseball and was the driving force behind our partnership with D’Angelo,” said Garrett Ludden, president of the Southington Western Baseball League.
“Players work together on the field and put forth the effort and sportsmanship taught to them by our volunteer coaches. Parents and Board members work behind the scenes to make baseball at West a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved.

"This $10,000 will go a long way in allowing our league a chance to provide the best possible baseball and team experience to those who we’re all there for – the kids.”

The next and final voting period will end on July 24.

Participants can vote for their local D’Angelo restaurant and its partnered organization on the voting page or by scanning the QR codes at each participating restaurant.

A full list of participating restaurants and organizations can be found on the voting page at www.55kgiveaway.com.