The Quad-City River Bandits have been recognized this year by Ballpark Digest as having the Best Baseball Charity Event/Campaign for creating the Carousel Charitable Trust and donating to the Genesis Health Services Foundation.
The River Bandits also earned the magazine's Best Ballpark Improvement (under $1 million) award for the addition of several amusement rides this season that also serve to fund the trust and donation to Genesis's foundation. Ballpark Digest publisher Kevin Reichard was on hand to present the awards.
The Carousel Charitable Trust received $53,000 in profits from the double-decker carousel, the Wind Up, Double Play and Kiddie Train to help local underprivileged children in the Quad-Cities.
Also, the River Bandits agreed to donate 50 cents from each ride taken on the other amusements in the ballpark, including the Ferris wheel, Drop-N-Twist, swinging pirate ship and bumper cars to the Genesis Health Services Foundation as well as the profits from Genesis Kidz Koaster. The total donation, with owners Dave Heller and Roby Smith chipping in, totaled $100,000.