State honors Pittsburgh Pirates, Marauders for investment in education

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart has recognized the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Bradenton Marauders for continued investment in education.

Trevor Gooby, senior director of Florida operations, and Wakeland Elementary School Principal Mario Mendoza attended the Florida Chamber Foundation Education Summit in Orlando. The Manatee County School District nominated the Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders based on a longstanding and beneficial business partnership.

Gooby is chairman of the Manatee Education Foundation, which helps provide funding for programs and educational opportunities for teachers and students beyond allocated state dollars.

The Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders have partnered with Wakeland Elementary on grant opportunities worth more than $15,000 in the past two years; gave hundreds of dollars to classrooms, PTO, and school; provided a venue for field trips and a staff kickball game; mentoring students who struggle academically; and by reading to students in conjunction with “Read Across America Day.”

Partnering with the Manatee Education Foundation, the Pirates/Marauders also sponsor an adopt-a-school program for Tillman, Manatee, Wakeland, Rogers Garden and Sea Breeze elementary schools and King Middle School. They sponsor the School District of Manatee County’s Excellence in Education Awards.

Herald staff report

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 10:48 AM with the headline "State honors Pittsburgh Pirates, Marauders for investment in education."