Giants Community Fund

"Our Willie Mays Clubhouse in Hunters Point stands in recognition of both the man and the player, Willie Mays. This summer kids from around the city are playing in our Junior Giants baseball program at the Willie Mays Clubhouse in Hunters Point. I picture Mr. Mays looking down from heaven watching kids play the game he loved and enjoying every minute of it!" A beautiful reflection from Rob Connolly and our friends at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. 🧡

🚨The Giants Family Auction is now live! From now until Sunday, you have the chance to bid on big-league experiences with San Francisco Giants players - including meet and greets during batting practice, tickets to a game and more! This auction benefits the Giants Community Fund and George Mark Children's House || Center of Excellence in Pediatric Palliative Care. Bid now: sfgiants.com/gcf

Willie Mays Scholars Khalil Cohen & Selam Aklilu, along with Giants Community Fund Co-Chair Lindbergh Porter, had the opportunity to sit down with KTVU 2 Reporter Greg Lee to reflect on the past week in Birmingham.

If I had a piece of paper to write this reflection on, I would have torn it up a few times in order to articulate the way I feel on June 21st 2024, and even as I write this, it’s not enough. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this past week in Birmingham, Alabama, for the Negro League game at Rickwood Field, and to celebrate a personal milestone—today marks my two seasons with the San Francisco Giants. The visit to Rickwood Field was truly inspiring. Experiencing the rich history of the Negro Leagues and witnessing the legacy of the players who paved the way for so many was a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, passion, and dedication. It was a privilege to be part of this event and to honor the heritage that has shaped the sport we love. As I mark my second season with the Giants, I am filled with immense gratitude and motivation. I am thankful for the unwavering support of my People and Culture team, whose dedication and hard work have been instrumental in creating an inclusive and dynamic workplace. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to all my colleagues, especially the ones who were fortunate enough to experience this impactful week, I feel this truly bonded us and will strengthen our culture even more. I was also fortunate enough to take a pilgrimage down to Selma, and Montgomery, Alabama on Juneteenth with our amazing Willie Mays Scholars. This was easily on one of the most rewarding parts of the trip and I was able to provide a Reflection Session after visiting the Civil Rights Museum, the 16th Street Baptist Church, and Bethel Baptist Church. Engaging in a Reflection Session with them allowed us to process our emotions, and share our thoughts. Hearing the scholars’ perspectives and seeing their commitment to making a difference was truly heartening. Thanks to the Giants Community Fund for having me along for their journey. Throughout the last few days, I found myself overcome with emotion many times. The weight of history, combined with the recent passing of the legendary Willie Mays, made this trip an extraordinarily surreal experience. Willie Mays, often regarded as the GOAT, was more than just a baseball icon; he was a symbol of excellence and perseverance. His passing adds a poignant layer to our journey, connecting the past and present in a way that deeply resonates with me. As I try to ground myself after this emotional journey, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude. The experiences we shared and the history we witnessed serve as a reminder of the importance of our work and the impact we can have as an organization and as individuals. “If you don't throw some pebbles into the world, you won't make any ripples. If you don't make any ripples, you cannot make a difference” #sfgiants #NothingLikeItSFG #24 #theGOAT #rickwoodgame #mlb #juneteenth #southercomfort #humbled #longestdayshortestnight

“If the younger people, the current generation, don’t take action, it’s more likely for the next not to, so it’s very important to set an example and try to create change for the people coming after you so they don’t have to go through what you’ve gone through,” Willie Mays Scholar Jazmine Keel said. “The tour was spiritual and emotional, and it’s important for people to be aware of this history so that it doesn’t repeat itself."

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Willie Mays. Willie's contributions both on and off the field set a standard of excellence—his impact immeasurable. Today, we traveled through Birmingham with our Willie Mays Scholars, walking in the footsteps of Willie’s childhood—gathering to celebrate him in this video. His legacy will continue to be celebrated—here at Rickwood Field, through our Willie Mays Scholars program and far beyond. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans during this difficult time. 🧡

Last Friday, BGCSF teamed up with the San Francisco Giants and Giants Community Fund to host a special PLAY BALL event at our Willie Mays Clubhouse at Hunters Point. We were honored to be part of this kick-off event for a national, week-long celebration of the history and impact of the Negro Leagues and its greatest living player, Willie Mays. Youth from across our Clubhouses played baseball with Giants players LaMonte Wade Jr, Heliot Ramos, & Tristan Beck and learned about the history of the Negro Leagues. There was even a special appearance from Lou Seal! ⚾ 💫

New baseball field? Nothing like it. 🧡