Jon Wilhite/Nick Adenhart tribute at OC Flyers game 7/6

[ALIASd]

ORANGE COUNTY FLYERS OPEN THEIR GATES AND HEARTS MONDAY, JULY 6 FOR JON WILHITE

Team to honor the lone survivor of April 9 accident
with free admission, fundraiser

FULLERTON, Calif. (6/29/2009) Orange County Flyer's Manager Phil Nevin and the Orange County Flyers organization are planning a huge fundraiser for former Titan Baseball Player Jon Wilhite on Monday, July 6 at Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.

Wilhite, 24, is the lone survivor of the fatal April 9 car crash that claimed the lives of Angel Pitcher Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.

The Flyers have a big night planned beginning with FREE admission for everyone attending the game against the first place Northern Division Calgary Vipers.
Nevin, a former number one Major League Baseball draft pick after having a standout career at Cal State Fullerton, is a close friend and strong supporter of Wilhite and his foundation.

"It's about the Titan family, plain and simple," Nevin said. "These tragic things happen every day, but when they happen in your family you stop, take a look and do everything you can to help family."

The Special Night will include a silent auction with great sports and Hollywood memorabilia from many of Nevin's Major Legaue friends along with other local professional sports teams and Hollywood stars.

Besides the silent auction, every inning there will be raffle drawings for all fans in attendance for lots of great prizes donated by OC Flyers partners, supporters and friends of the Wilhite Foundation. There will also be special buckets around the park to make additional donations.

"Here is our chance to join together and help a brother in need,"said Flyer Chief Operating Officer Dan MacLeith. "Each of us would want the same if we were in his place. Even in these trying times, there is generosity in the heart of man that surpasses all else. We have a chance to be a blessing to another and should not pass it up."

Before the game, the Flyers will be honoring Jon and his family with the throwing out of the first pitch. There will also be a moment of silence for Jon's three close friends who were tragically taken from us in the crash in Fullerton.

Other invited guests for the night at this time are the Fullerton Fire Department's First Responders who helped get Jon out of the car and to the hospital. More special guests will be announced as they are confirmed.

The entire night is designed to raise funds for Jon's costly rehabilitation. He is currently undergoing a lengthy and extensive program at a local rehabilitation center in Orange. Other donations can be made for Jon Wilhite at any Wells Fargo Bank location to account # 3980643658 or mailed to the "Benefit Fund for Jon Wilhite," 4733 Torrance Blvd. #562, Torrance, CA 90505

http://www.orangecountyflyers.com/

[sir clinksalot]

This is a very cool thing they are doing. Too bad I can't make it.

[ALIASd]

They've got a terrific little organization there, down from the owners to the players. Everytime I've been to a game there is feels like you're in genuine small-town America. Even when James Denton and his various celebrity friends are at the games too, its such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Hope you all can make it over to Fullerton for another game sometime this season.

[pixie chick]

What a cool event. Thanks for the info!

[Radiobarry]

I attended the game, which was also publicized in the Sports Zone forum. "The Station" at Goodwin Field was nearly packed, with about two thousand fans according to one estimate I heard.

Jon and his family got a standing ovation, as you might expect.

I got to meet Fred Willard - I've been a fan of his ever since he did "Fernwood Tonight" along with Martin Mull. He was there announcing raffle winners and the like, between innings, along with Chris Martinez from KIIS-FM.

All in all I had a fun night...stayed til the bitter end of the Flyers 9-8 loss to Calgary.

I was involved as a PA announcer for a Ventura County minor league team about ten years ago...they folded for a host of reasons but the stadium setup wasn't nearly as nice as the one they have at CSU Fullerton.

I plan on posting a trip report hopefully in the next few days.

If there were other MiceChatters there, I didn't see them or at least recognize them.