You’re invited to the Red Shield Event!

On Tuesday, May 14 the West Michigan Whitecaps will head to Lansing to take on the Lansing Lugnuts and The Salvation Army will take over Fifth Third Ballpark for a “Ballpark Bash”.  

Join us for this fun and casual evening at the ballpark!

That’s right, you read that correctly FUN and CASUAL!  We’re convinced no one wants another rubber chicken event to endure so we’ve planned outdoor games, mascots, stadium food and so much more.  

The entire family is invited to join us and for the first time ever, we’re offering a Family Pack of tickets!  When you bring the family, you’ll receive a significant discount. 

Reservations: $75 for an individual or $175 for a family. 

Please RSVP by May 1, 2019.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS

DENNIS BAXTER
Chairman & Founder,
West Michigan Whitecaps

Dennis Baxter’s lifetime love of baseball and the desire for a place to take his children to see a professional baseball game inspired him to consider bringing a team to West Michigan. Without realizing it, Lew Chamberlin and Denny were attempting to do the same thing independently. They joined forces in 1986 and successfully brought the Whitecaps to West Michigan in time for the 1994 baseball season. Prior to becoming a Whitecaps Chairman & Founder, Denny held the position of President of West Michigan Baseball Development. As managing partner, Denny is a part of the strategic planning committee which oversees the day to day operation of the Whitecaps.

Denny graduated with high honors from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and began his career as a practicing CPA. Prior to working full-time with the Whitecaps, Denny held numerous financial and managerial positions in West Michigan.

A native of Muskegon, Michigan, Denny continues to live there with his wife Rhonda. His children Tara, Eric & Rachel all live and work in West Michigan.

Denny is also the founder and president of Blue Cap Entertainment, which promotes sports and entertainment activities throughout the country. Denny was presented the Warren Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

LEW CHAMBERLIN
Chairman & Founder,
West Michigan Whitecaps

Lew Chamberlin holds the positions of Chairman and Founder for Whitecaps Baseball. Lew, along with his partner Denny Baxter, was instrumental in bringing the Whitecaps to West Michigan: he began the process of bringing a minor-league franchise to the area in 1986 and didn’t rest until the team’s inception in 1994. The Whitecaps have set the all-time Class A attendance record three times and have drawn over 10 million fans to Fifth Third Ballpark over the last 25 years. The Whitecaps also received the Bob Freitas Award for Class A Minor League Franchise of the Decade from Baseball America in 1999.

A native of Grand Rapids, Lew remains an active participant in the West Michigan community and has served on the boards of numerous community organizations. He currently serves on the board of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and also serves as one of the seven members of the Kent County Convention/Arena Authority, the quasi-public board that owns and operates the VanAndel Arena and DeVos Place. For the past twelve years, Lew has been serving as a member of the First Steps Commission whose goal is to help build a comprehensive system of support for Kent County’s youngest children ages zero to five and currently serves as First Steps Co-Chair.

In support of his early childhood work Lew also sits on the Children’s Leadership Council of Michigan, a statewide group of business leaders advocating for early childhood investment. His past board service includes the Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Market and President of the Grand Rapids Art Museum board.

Lew was presented the Warren Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Red Shield Event is the single most important annual fundraising event for The Salvation Army in Kent County. In addition to all the fun, we plan to share inspiring stories of how The Salvation Army is changing lives in our community. You’ll also be given an important opportunity to support the work of The Salvation Army. 

Thank you to our 2019 Sponsors!

Sally & Larry Robson, Ellen & Dale DeHaan, Dr. Ray & Phyllis Palazzolo VanderWeele. Robert R. Israels, A.S.I.D.-F.A.I.A., Barbara Hohman, Jess & Deb Larson, Jim & Betty Buick, The Currie Foundation, Rob & Diane Hyland, Anonymous, Gregory & Amy Conway, Lewis Van Kuiken, Norma Van Kuiken, Mark & Kris Huizenga, Bill & Ginger Young, and Dan & Guylaine Donavan