—Reliant’s Sixth Annual Charity Competition Drafted Football Stars to Bat for a Good Cause—
Showcasing athleticism for a good cause, members of the Dallas Cowboys
took to the baseball diamond to bat for charity at the sixth annual
Reliant Home Run Derby. For the first time, the annual competition was
open to the public and nearly 3,000 fans filled Dr Pepper Ballpark in
Frisco, Texas, to cheer as their favorite players raised $50,000 for the
Gene and Jerry Jones Family North Texas Youth Education Town of The
Salvation Army Arlington.
“Watching the Dallas Cowboys step up to the plate each year to support
The Salvation Army is one of our favorite ways to give to the
Dallas-Fort Worth community,” said Elizabeth Killinger, president,
Reliant. “Welcoming public spectators this year gave us an even greater
appreciation for our local communities, and we look forward to growing
this annual tradition for everyone to enjoy.”
Cowboys trading their shoulder pads for baseball cleats included Jason
Witten, Sean Lee, Byron Jones, Zack Martin, Jeff Heath, Ezekiel Elliott,
Dak Prescott, Terrance Williams, Dez Bryant, Orlando Scandrick, Tyron
Smith and Travis Frederick. Pitches were thrown by Mike Weatherford and
Chad “Gator” Haag, and baseball players from Frisco’s nine high schools
shagged balls. The National Anthem was performed by Captain Shelley Hood
from The Salvation Army. Joining and participating in the special event
were the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Rowdy the Dallas Cowboys Mascot,
The Salvation Army Mascot Captain Kettle, and the Cowboys’ official
drumline Rhythm and Blue.
Coach Garrett was explosive at the plate and crowned the 2017 Reliant
Home Run Derby champion, hitting a total of seven home runs and raising
$4,900. Coming in a close second at the friendly competition was Jason
Witten, totaling six homers and raising $4,800.
“Our players look forward to the Reliant Home Run Derby every year, it’s
such a fun and meaningful way for partners like Reliant and The
Salvation Army to come together for our community. Having our local fans
join us made the occasion even more special for all involved,” said
Charlotte Jones Anderson, Cowboys executive vice president and chief
brand officer. “Last year, Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliott were rookies
shagging balls, this year it was great to see them taking swings for a
great cause!”
Reliant supports local communities through volunteerism, charitable
giving and partnerships with a variety of organizations, and in 2016
donated more than $650,000 to different causes. Last year’s Reliant Home
Run Derby also raised $50,000 for The Salvation Army, and over the
course of six years the event has raised more than $400,000 for
different charities and nonprofits.
About Reliant, an NRG Company
Reliant brings electricity, smart energy solutions and home services to
business and residential customers across Texas. Reliant is part of NRG
Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), a Fortune 200 company that is at the forefront
of changing how people think about, buy and use energy. Backed by a
diverse portfolio of nearly 140 power generating facilities that can
support millions of homes and businesses nationwide, NRG’s retail
companies, including Reliant, deliver electricity and home security
services and serve almost 3 million customers in 10 states and the
District of Columbia. NRG retail brands collectively are the largest
providers of electricity in Texas. For more information about Reliant
products and services, please visit reliant.com
and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy
and Twitter @ReliantEnergy.
PUCT Certificate #10007.
