Mixed Roots Foundation & NY Yankees Team Up to Kick Off National Foster Care Month by Hosting 1,500 Kids & Families at Inaugural Adoptee Night @Yankee Stadium -Fri, May 3
'Adoptee Night' is a Special Night for All Who are Touched by Adoption and Foster Care and will feature 12 Year Old former Foster Youth, Singer, Author and Musician, Kaleya Ervin on the Field
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In celebration of its 8-Year Anniversary, Mixed Roots Foundation will host its 8th season of signature MLB 'Adoptee Night' sporting events, including a special event on Friday, May 3 at Yankee Stadium to kick off National Foster Care Month. On that night as the Yankees host the Twins for a 7:05 p.m. game, the Yankees will fully sponsor a visit for 1,500 individuals, including adopted, foster youth and their families, many of whom will be attending their very first baseball game.
'Adoptee Night' will also feature Mixed Roots Foundation's newest Jr. Ambassador, Kaleya Ervin who will represent the foundation on the field. Kaleya is 12 years old, was born blind and adopted out of foster care at the age of 3-1/2 years old by her aunt and uncle and exemplifies the true meaning of mixed roots as she has mixed roots herself – she is part African American and part Hawaiian who also sings, plays the piano and is now author of her first book, "Now I See" published by Noah's Ark Publishing Service. Kaleya will also be featured at the remaining five MLB signature Adoptee Night events that will take place at the end of May through July in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants in June, Cincinnati Reds, and will close out with the New York Yankees against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN in July.
"I am so excited and honored to be a voice for others like me and represent Mixed Roots Foundation and participate in their 'Adoptee Night' events this year," said Kaleya Ervin, Singer, Author, Musician and Jr. Ambassador, Mixed Roots Foundation. "I look forward to inspiring everyone I meet one baseball game at a time."
"I have been part of the organization since the beginning and it's inspiring to see Mixed Roots Foundation grow into where it is today," said Michael Reagan, President, Reagan Legacy Foundation. "As an adoptee and proud Honorary Board member of Mixed Roots Foundation who loves sports – this is a perfect platform to raise awareness and funds for a cause that touches so many lives and truly is making a difference."
"When Michael Reagan reached out to me this past season about sponsoring a visit for adopted and foster kids to a Yankees game, I thought it was a great idea, and it's finally coming to fruition," said Randy Levine, President of the New York Yankees. "I can't wait to see all the kids and families at Yankee Stadium for this very special event. Happy Anniversary to the Mixed Roots Foundation!"
In addition to featuring the Kaleya, Mixed Roots Foundation will also partner with several individuals, local businesses and organizations including Council on Adoptable Children – New York (COAC), AdoptMent and Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children in the greater New York area who are assisting with the recruitment of the mixed, adopted, foster youth and their families to attend this special event.
Mixed Roots Foundation will also host a pregame VIP Meet & Greet that will include a Book Signing with Kaleya from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Reception from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Billy's Sports Bar & Lounge just steps away from Yankee Stadium. The VIP Pregame reception will provide an opportunity for kids and families to meet one another as well as learn about important post adoption resources in the greater New York community.
To purchase tickets, become a community partner or sponsor additional kids, please contact 213.725.8054, email sponsor(at)mixedrootsfoundation(dot)org or visit crowdrise.com/mixedroots. To volunteer or learn more about the event, please email events(at)mixedrootsfoundation(dot)org or visit http://www.mixedrootsfoundation.org for more information.
About Kaleya Ervin
12 Year Old former Foster Youth, singer, songwriter and musician Kaleya Ervin has written her first book, "Now I See, Wonder Child's Gift of Vision and Music". She beat strenuous and almost impossible odds by rising to prove all things are possible if one can believe! At the tender age of three, Kaleya was diagnosed as almost completely blind because of the eye disease, Salzmann's Nodular Degeneration (SND). She thanks God for genius medical technology that created implants along with surgery that renewed her sight. "Now I see!" is her heartfelt cry! Kaleya was rescued from dark circumstances surrounding foster care by her Auntie Nikki and Uncle Tony. Through adoption they provided her a safe haven and nurturing environment. At age six, this young prodigy began playing the piano immediately after hearing her Uncle Tony play. After showing Kaleya certain chords, she played them back for him perfectly, hence, the beginning of her music career journey. Kaleya began playing gospel and classical music as well as singing and composing her own songs. She's traveled across the United States performing with many well-known artists like Richard Smallwood, Dr. Margaret Douroux, J.J. Hairston, Hezekiah Walker, BSlade and Pastor John P. Kee. Kaleya is well loved on social media by millions who enjoy her music and are blessed by her overcoming story of hope. Her love and passion for music coupled with her soulful, uplifting message is sure to one day change the world! She is forever thankful to God for what He has accomplished through her thus far and is excited for a brilliant future. For more info, visit http://www.therealkaleya.com/, Find and Follow Kaleya on social media @therealkaleya.
About Mixed Roots Foundation
Mixed Roots Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization celebrating its 8 Year Anniversary based in Los Angeles, CA with regional offices in San Francisco, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Boston, MA; New York, NY and serves as the first and only national / global multicultural foundation for adoptees and their families representative of the international, domestic, and foster care adoption experience and improves the lives of those touched by adoption and foster care by leveraging philanthropy and grassroots fundraising to support important post-adoption resources including mentoring, DNA testing and unique scholarships/grants for adoptees, foster youth and their families. For more info, visit http://www.mixedrootsfoundation.org, LIKE Mixed Roots Foundation on Facebook or Follow on Twitter and Instagram @mixedroots.
SOURCE Mixed Roots Foundation
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