VERO BEACH — The Salvation Army of IRC will hold its annual benefit dinner April 14 from 5-8 p.m. at The Oak Harbor Club House featuring Stuart resident and former Major League Baseball star and Yankees announcer Jim “Kitty” Kaat as its guest speaker.
Jim Kaat was a color commentator for MLB Network’s Thursday Night Baseball series, following a distinguished baseball broadcasting career and 25 years as a Major League pitcher.
Kaat debuted for the MLB Network with Bob Costas in 2009, providing color commentary for the new Yankee Stadium’s opening game. The duo paired up in 2009 for MLB Network’s Thursday Night Baseball.
Mr. Kaat maintains an MLBlog, Kaat’s Korner.
Kaat made his Major League debut in 1959 with the Washington Senators. Over his 25-year playing career, he compiled 283 wins with an ERA of 3.45 with six teams.
Kaat was a three-time All-Star, won a record 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards and won the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982.
Kaat did commentary for MSG and YES from 1995 to 2006, and won a New York Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage Series in 1998.
Kaat has won seven Emmy Awards for sports broadcasting and has been nominated for many more.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from the cash bar. Dinner will be followed by Jim Kaat sharing his inspirational MLB career journey and experiences with The Salvation Army and philanthropy over the years.
Two anonymous donations of $10,000 a piece have been pledged to the dinner for matching up to $20,000 of donations received before the dinner and the night of the dinner.
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army.
Each year the Salvation Army contributes the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children in this community.
About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to carry out those services right here in Indian River county.
For more information about this event or to make a contribution to The Salvation Army of IRC benefit dinner, send an email to John_Corapi@www.USS.SalvationArmy.org, or mail your matching contribution to The Salvation Army of IRC, PO Box 2864, Vero Beach FL 32961.
To RSVP, call (772) 978-0265 x104.