Yakima Sports Programs - Parker Youth & Sports Foundation

Welcome!

The 13th annual fundraiser, Sports Legends Reunion and High Hopes Tournament, will be held June 8th and 9th, 2018.

The Foundation is excited about hosting its 13^th Annual Sports Legends Reunion will be held at the Howard Johnson Plaza of Yakima Friday June 8^th. Mel Moore, one of the most knowledgeable of who’s who in Washington State’s sports world, is serving as the Honored Guest. Mel is a retired insurance salesman and currently sells real estate. He has served the American Legion baseball program and organized the Downtown Hotshot 3-on-3 Tournament and the Volleyball Festival as well as helped bring WIAA State baseball, volleyball and basketball tournaments to Yakima. The evening features silent and live auctions.

Stanley (Stan) Renecker will serve as the High Hopes Tournament Honorary Chair. Stan graduated from Eisenhower High School before going on to Yakima Valley Community College where he played on the 1974 State Community College Championship team coached by Bill Faller. Stan created the Faller Brayton Endowment to honor Bill and Bobo. Stan earned a B.A. in Political Science from Central Washington University and a degree from Willamette University College of Law. He is the Managing Director of Acquisitions for Campbell Global, home company in Portland. He is responsible for Campbell Global's outreach and acquisition activities, including gathering market intelligence, negotiating with sellers and buyers in the forest market.

Proceeds generated by the event provide the funding source for our grant program. We support three forms of grant requests: matching funds up to $1,000.00; pro-active gifting requests for a maximum of $300.00; and grant requests for youth athletic programs and facilities in the greater Yakima Valley. The foundation focuses on low economic areas: Salvation Army afterschool programs; Southeast Community Center girls’ soccer/softball; YMCA youth programs and memberships; East Valley Youth Baseball; Roller Derby program and dance programs etc. Since 2004 we have awarded grants of over $400,000.00.

Goals

Provide, preserve and support parks, public sports and recreation facilities and youth sports programs.
Preserve the legacies of Shirley D. Parker and Rose B. Larson in safeguarding Parker Field and Larson Park for the parks and recreation purposes intended by those donors
Award scholarships to Yakima Valley Community College student-athletes and grants to individuals and organizations contributing to the best interests of YVCC athletic facilities and programs.
Promote the history and heritage of sports in the greater Yakima area.
Provide education on the lifelong value of sports and physical activity and the need for parks and recreation facilities to encourage and enhance these activities

"High Hopes" is an original creation by award-winning Yakima artist Don Crook. Commissioned by the Foundation to create a scene representing our mission, Don used old photographs of the original Parker Field and his own memories in his depiction of the grandstands, press box and lights while incorporating youth and their dreams to further convey the purpose of the Foundation. An alumnus of Yakima High School and Yakima Junior College, he played football and baseball in the original Parker Field.