Area Young Democrats and Republicans Cease Political Fire Sponsors Annual Father’s Day, Take A Chance, Cool Down St. Louis Celebrity Softball Benefit

St. Louis – MO: The Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis and the St. Louis Area Young Republicans are planning a political cease fire to help bi-state area seniors and disabled people stay safe and cool this summer.

Both young-adult organizations are reaching across the aisles in a joint effort to sponsor the first annual “Father’s Day, Take A Chance, Cool Down St. Louis Celebrity Softball Benefit.” The first-time fundraiser is to benefit Cool Down St. Louis, a regional, non-utility, all-volunteer, non-partisan, cooling assistance and education charity. The joint non-partisan effort is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Lyon Park at Broadway and Arsenal, across from the Anheuser-Busch brewery.

“This is one of many opportunities this summer, where elected officials and the public can come together,” said Kevin X. McGowan, board president of Cool Down St. Louis. “We’re non-partisan, and these wonderful people of different persuasions have one thing in common — a charitable spirit, who are remembering seniors and the disabled in need.”

There are various donation sponsorship levels for area political leaders and candidates in the Republican and Democratic parties. The public can obtain a $20 donation ticket prior to the celebrity softball game and ceremonies through either group. Democrats should can 314-809-5083 and Republicans, 314-452-2718 or by logging onto websites at www.cooldownstlouis.org, www.stlyr.com; or www.youngdems.com. Also group tickets can be obtained by sending a check or money order made payable to Cool Down St. Louis, and sent in care of c/o Suite 603, 1221 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, no later than midnight, June 12. 2008.

Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley are serving as the honorary “club owners,” and Richard Mark, senior vice president of Missouri Delivery Service for AmerenUE is the honorary club president. AmerenUE made a special $5,000 donation as a club president sponsor.

Area political leaders are being asked to sponsor various honorary softball positions — managers, pitchers, trainers, coaches, bat boys and girls. Each organization will have a team of 15 individuals actually playing a game of softball. 100% of the proceeds from the ticket donations and sponsorships will all go toward helping some area seniors and the disabled pay their electric bills or purchase new air-conditioners in about 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including the City of St. Louis.

This year’s fundraiser will also include special door prize drawings, courtesy of Emmis Communications and the Pasta House Co. First prize is one HP laptop, second prize – A KSHE Blues Party for Ten; third prize – $250 cash or gift certificate, fourth prize one – 100.00 Pasta House Co. gift certificate, and fifth prize is a $50 Pasta House Co. gift certificate.

Cool Down St. Louis is the regional summer program of Heat-Up St. Louis, a non-profit, energy assistance and education, non-utility charity. Cool Down’s goal is to help qualified, elderly and disabled people, and poor families with small sick infants avoid health-related deaths and illnesses.

The charity provides donated brand-new, and used good air-conditioners – 2 years old, and also helps pay some electric bills. General donations are tax-deductible as all expenses are underwritten by a volunteer board, or corporate sponsor, so that 100% of each public donated dollar helps the needy. The summer effort is often the only regional financial safety net, during the hot and humid days of summer. Volunteers are needed to help with the “Check On Your Neighbors” project and fundraising programs. Donations can be sent to: Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188.
(30)

Editor’s Note: For additional information call Martin Casas, executive director, the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis, at 314-809-5083 and James Knowles, III, president, the St. Louis Area Young Republicans at 314-452-2718, or Cool Down St. Louis press representatives at 314-369-7407.