BEAVER, Pa., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Network of Digital Schools and UMPS CARE Charities have partnered together to give students from NNDS client schools a memorable baseball experience with the BLUE Crew Tickets program.

Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, Major League Baseball umpires provide memorable baseball experiences for children.  Each game experience includes great seats, a goody bag of treats, and the unique opportunity to step onto the field for a souvenir baseball and photo.

Started in 2006, BLUE Crew Tickets is designed to strengthen relationships and inspire children in foster care or youth mentoring programs; UMPS CARE Charities has worked exclusively with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and Most Valuable Kids, Inc.  This is the first time the organization has partnered with an educational entity, said Samuel Dearth, Executive Director of UMPS CARE Charities.

"The BLUE Crew Tickets program was started to give deserving children an unforgettable opportunity that they might not get otherwise.  NNDS, through their online schools and curriculum, provide children throughout the country with a similar opportunity, the opportunity to get the best education regardless of where they live, how they learn or their socioeconomic status.  Given the importance that we both place on enriching the lives of children, it was only natural for our partnership to extend into this program."

The UMPS CARE/NNDS baseball games will be held: in Pittsburgh with students from the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School on July 17 and August 7; in Kansas City with students from Andover eCademy on July 18; in Cleveland with students from QDA on July 24; in Philadelphia with students from PA Cyber on August 6; and in Milwaukee with students from Wisconsin Virtual Learning on August 8.  One event has already been held in Colorado with students from eDCSD: The Colorado Cyber School.  Bryan Bown, Director of Client Services for NNDS said, "UMPS CARE Charities is an outstanding organization with a unique cause and we are proud to work with them to provide our students with a rare and memorable night at the ballpark."

About NNDS

The National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit management foundation, dedicated to providing the highest quality K-12 online curriculum and comprehensive management services to traditional brick and mortar schools, charter schools and cyber schools focused on expanding educational opportunities for students. As a community foundation, NNDS also lends financial support to educational initiatives that expand opportunities for young people. NNDS empowers its partners to expand curriculum options by offering accelerated courses, alternative education and credit recovery courses – as well as developing more effective educational programs for special education students. Lincoln Interactive is also the premier choice for students who learn best from the safety of their own home.

About UMPS CARE Charities

UMPS CARE Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established by Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America's youth and families in need. Through our youth-based programs, professional baseball umpires enrich the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising awareness for foster care children waiting to be adopted. UMPS CARE Charities provides benefactors with 'Major League' support by remaining true to our established creed, "Helping People is an Easy Call".  Follow UMPS CARE Charities online at www.Facebook.com/UmpsCare, www.Twitter.com/UmpsCare, and www.UmpsCare.com.

SOURCE National Network of Digital Schools

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.nndsonline.org
http://www.umpscare.com