PawSox a valuable asset to community

The Pawtucket Red Sox are central to the identity of our community. They are a source of great pride and bring 500,000 people to our community every season. As a resident and the former chair of the fireworks committee, I got to see that impact firsthand and the widespread support that our community, neighboring communities and visitors have for their family-friendly, affordable organization. Pawtucket residents and businesses benefit greatly from having the AAA affiliate of the Red Sox right in our backyard. Due to the team’s commitment to our community, they support critical causes like the Soup Kitchen, our schools, and our youth. They work with the Boys & Girls Club, R.I. Mentoring Partnership, YMCA of Pawtucket, Operation Stand Down, Special Olympics, the Tomorrow Fund, Progresso Latino, and many others. With Cox Communications and Citizens Bank, they raised $60,000 for the R.I. Community Food Bank. Last year, their charitable foundation contributed $100,000 to the community. And even more so, they support local families by providing an affordable place to take their kids and create memories. Theme nights, fireworks, free hats and baseballs, and memories that will last a lifetime for under 50 dollars for a family of four. Families from neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts visit our community and spend their dollars. The team even had 11 sold-out games this year; double the number from last year.

The Pawtucket Red Sox want to continue that commitment with a $45 million private investment in our downtown that will help to revitalize our community. Pawtucket is on the move. Now is the time for Rhode Island to step up and support Pawtucket like they have for so many other communities.

Larry Monastesse, retired Pawtucket