Action Team — a Youth Volunteer Initiative:

Volunteers of America and the Major League Baseball Players Trust teamed up in 2002 to encourage high school students to get involved in their communities and help those in need. Action Teams, composed of Major League baseball players and area high school students who are selected to be Team Captains, work together to deliver an important message to students — volunteering is cool, fun and personally rewarding! To date, more than 9,000 high school volunteers have helped over 38,000 people in their communities.

• Sorting and distributing new books to low-income children
• Reading to children and assisting teachers in day care and Head Start programs
• Serving meals at homeless shelters and senior centers
• Working at activities and events in Volunteers of America’s affordable housing facilities
• Collecting food, clothing, gifts and other needed items
• Hosting holiday activities
• Participating in other appropriate projects — either single events or ongoing opportunities.

2008 Action Team Roster

Action Teams are currently at work in 16 locations: Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mobile, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Portland (ME), San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. 

Players from Major League teams are recruited by the Players Trust to work with each Action Team.  Among the players currently taking part as leaders of the Action Teams are:

• Boston Red Sox: Alex Cora, David Ortiz, and Jason Varitek
• Chicago Cubs: Alex Cintron, Ryan Dempster, Derrek Lee and Matt Murton (Effective 2008-09 Action Team)
• Cincinnati Reds: Ken Griffey, Jr., Josh Fogg, David Ross and Javier Valentin
• Cleveland Indians:  Josh Barfield, Ben Francisco and Ryan Garko (effective 2008-09 Action Team)
• Colorado Rockies: Brian Fuentes, Ryan Spilborghs and Cory Sullivan
• Detroit Tigers: Curtis Granderson, Jacque Jones and Nate Robertson
• Houston Astros: Shawn Chacon, Hunter Pence and Chris Sampson
• Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer and Nick Punto
• New York Mets: Carlos Delgado and Brian Schneider 
• Oakland A’s: Eric Chavez and Huston Street
• Philadelphia Phillies: Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and J.C. Romero
• San Diego Padres: Jake Peavy
• San Francisco Giants: Randy Winn
• Seattle Mariners: Raul Ibanez and J.J. Putz
• Tampa Bay Rays: Cliff Floyd and Carlos Pena (Effective 2008-09 Action Team)
• Texas Rangers: Jason Jennings and Michael Young
• Washington Nationals: Chad Cordero and Felipe Lopez