Knights Announce Community Initiative in Partnership with Pape Material Handling.

April 29, 2016

Hometown Team Launches Season-Long One Step Closer to Home Program in Support of Community Outreach, Inc.

The Corvallis Knights and Pape Material Handling have teamed up to help Community Outreach, Inc. (COI) bring its clients one step closer to home and health. From the season's first pitch to the final out, the Knights and Pape Material Handling will support COI's efforts to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness in the area and generate support for the vital services the organization delivers to the community's most vulnerable citizens.

During the season, every home game will feature the Pape Material Handling Keeps You Moving One Step Closer to Home initiative. For every base stolen by the Corvallis Knights, the team will donate $10 to COI. In 2015, the team stole 168 bases - tops in the West Coast League - while totaling 38 wins. If the Knights win, they will double that night's contribution.

"We are thrilled to support Community Outreach with our partner Pape Material Handling," Holly Jones, Knights Senior VP of Operations said. "Together we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors who need our help the most."

"By partnering with the Knights we will raise awareness about the good work Community Outreach does in the Corvallis area and inspire others to join the team to support its clients," Chris Wetle, President of Pape Material Handling said (pictured with Pape Material Handling marketing specialist Kaley Corliss).

"We're excited to join the Corvallis Knights to reinforce this unique initiative to help those struggling in the community."

The Knights have also scheduled a Food, Toy and Clothing Drive night on Friday, July 15 as part of its Pape Keeps You Moving One Step Closer to Home program and in support of COI.

"We are hopeful this program will help Community Outreach provide vital services to its clients and be something our fans and partners can get behind," Jones said.

This is the Knights first swing at promoting a community initiative throughout an entire season. The program is geared towards raising awareness for Community Outreach, Inc., generating funds for COI and collecting goods for COI.

"We are extremely excited to be a part of the Pape Material Handling Keeps You Moving One Step Closer to Home program," stated Chris Quaka, Development Director at Community Outreach, Inc. (pictured speaking). "By working with the Corvallis Knights and Pape Material Handing, we can bring awareness to the families and children in our community who need a little help so they can improve their lives."

Community Outreach, Inc. provided food resources to create more than 45,000 meals in its community this past year as well as providing shelter to 344 people, one in four were children. COI also received more than 20,00 visits to its medical clinics, of which 431 were dental visits, and moved 90% of its homeless veterans into housing last year.

Check out today's story in the Gazette-Times written by Nathan Bruttell titled 'One step closer to home': Season-long Knights promotion to benefit COI by clicking here.