HOPE Week

HOPE Week presented by Westchester Medical Center Health Network

The Mission:

Since becoming the proud High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in 2021, the Hudson Valley Renegades have been proud to participate in the Yankees' HOPE Week initiative (Helping Others Persevere & Excel). Introduced by the Yankees in 2009, HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. Renegades HOPE Week 2025 will take place from Tuesday, Aug. 5, through Saturday, Aug. 9.

On each of five consecutive days during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Renegades shine a spotlight on a different individual, family, or organization worthy of the recognition and support. Each day is designed so Renegades players and staff can work to make a positive impact on the honoree's day. The Renegades' participation in HOPE Week is presented by Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth).

At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has — no matter where they come from, what their financial situation is or what kind of skills they possess — is time. By involving every one of their players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, General Manager Brian Cashman, the minor league players, minor league front offices and the entire major league front office staff during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees are sending the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.

Equally significant during HOPE Week is garnering publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many non-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.

2025 Renegades HOPE Week Information

The fourth annual Renegades HOPE Week presented by Westchester Medical Center Health Network will take place from Tuesday, Aug. 5, through Saturday, Aug. 9. The Renegades released their entire 2025 HOPE Week program on Aug. 1, and can be found below.

Day 1: Tuesday, Aug. 5 – American Cancer Society

Event at Heritage Financial Park from 10:30 a.m. – Noon

About the event:

The event will feature a presentation about the American Cancer Society and highlight the Hope Lodge. Participants will pack little bags of love for Hope Lodge patients.

About American Cancer Society:

American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. They are improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. The American Cancer Society is the largest private funder of research and because of this there are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the US today.

More than just research, the American Cancer Society provides cost free services for patients and caregivers. A few of their programs include free lodging through their 31 Hope Lodge communities across the US, free rides to treatment through Road to Recovery, 24/7 cancer support and information through their National Cancer Information center that can be accessed by phone or web chat. Visit cancer.org to explore the many ways your American Cancer Society can help you and your loved one prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.

Day 2: Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Project My Day, Inc.

Event at Project My Day, Inc. from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (674 NY-17K, Montgomery, N.Y. 12549)

About the event:

Participants will create celebration boxes for September birthdays.

About Project My Day, Inc.:

Project My Day, Inc. is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Newburgh, New York. They believe every child should be recognized and deserves to celebrate important events in their life. Their mission is to bring JOY into the lives of children in foster care in Dutchess and Orange County, New York, by giving them gifts on their special day(s) (Birthdays, which include a celebration box, moving-up day, graduation, prom, just because they need something, etc.)

Day 3: Thursday, Aug. 7 – Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary

Event at HV Animal Rescue & Sanctuary from 11 a.m. – Noon (9 Barnes Dr., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12603)

About the event:

Participants will tour the facility and enjoy dog time with the puppies, helping to socialize the animals.

About Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary:

Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary (HVARS) is a 501c3 non-profit animal rescue, wildlife, rehabilitation center & low-cost vet service clinic. Their mission started when we felt there was such a need to be able to bring affordable vet care to their community. In 2011 they opened their first low cost spay/neuter and vaccine clinic as a mobile hospital. Weekly they ran clinics out of their local Petco's parking lot where people were able to come and receive vaccines and affordable spaying and neutering services. From there they saw how much their services impacted the community and how much they were needed.

In 2015 they opened their stationary hospital that they run out of to this day. They renovated an old barn on their founder's property and little by little made it ready to serve the community in so many ways. They are now a multi vet facility that offers everything from wellness clinics to more complex surgeries, dentals, x-rays, bloodwork and more. They are so happy to be able to offer all these services to their community and only wish to continue to grow. All of the money that comes through their clinic services is given right back to their animals that they take in, rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out. It is also used for the hundreds of wildlife they take in orphaned, injured, or misplaced every year.

Day 4: Friday, Aug. 8 – Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley

Event at Heritage Financial Park beginning at 3:30 p.m.

About the event:

The Renegades and Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley have teamed up to present the third annual Little Renegades night, with wish kids signed to one-day contracts to be Renegades for the day.

About Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley:

Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have received a wish are able to build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight critical illnesses. Since its inception in 1986, the Hudson Valley Chapter has granted wishes to over 3,400 children in the community it serves. The Chapter’s territory spans eight counties of the Hudson Valley, including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. The Chapter is a Better Business Bureau Wise Alliance Accredited Charity, meeting the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Additionally, a recent independent audit of the chapter reported that 73% of all funds raised go to program services. To learn more and help the Hudson Valley Chapter grant 50 wishes this summer visit www.hudson.wish.org/summer.

Day 5: Saturday, Aug. 9 – Beacon Elks #1493 Veterans Program

Event at Heritage Financial Park beginning from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

About the event:

Participants will play a whiffle ball game on the field and participate in a Q&A and photo session with veterans.

About Beacon Elks #1493:

The Beacon Elks Lodge has proudly served the community for 101 years, upholding the values of charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity. They are dedicated to supporting veterans, youth, and those in need through local outreach and charitable programs. Their lodge provides scholarships, hosts community events, and offers a welcoming space for fellowship and service. For over a century, they have worked to make a positive impact in Beacon and beyond. As Elks, they believe in giving back and building a stronger, more caring community for all.

Renegades HOPE Week Honoree Archive

2022 HOPE Week Archive

Day 1: Tuesday, June 7th

Maria Fareri Children’s Health Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital

As part of the Westchester Medical Health Network, the Maria Fareri Children’s Health Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital provides emergency care for children in from serious injuries to burns, scrapes, and bruises. Services include a child-friendly Pediatric Emergency Department, select Pediatric Surgical Services, dedicated Pediatric Inpatient Unit, Child life services to support patients during care, and Caregiver services to support parents, siblings, and other family members during a patient’s care.

For more information, please visit mariafarerichildrens.org

Day 2: Wednesday, June 8th

Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub

Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub is a nonprofit organization that provides a single, local point of access for mental health and addiction programs, services and education for individuals and families. The Hub serves as the center of activities, programs, and resources related to mental health and addiction for Philipstown residents.

For more information, please visit philipstownhub.org

Day 3: Thursday, June 9th

The Community at Brookmeade

Opened in 1977, The Community at Brookmeade offers apartment residences and a combination of lifestyle, services, and amenities designed with the need of active older adults in mind. Located in the village of Rhinebeck, NY, Brookmeade presently serves as a 120-bed facility for seniors aged 62 and above. The Community is committed to providing all residents with a lifestyle focus on quality, centered in wellness, and facilitated by competent and caring staff

For more information, please visit brookmeadecommunity.org

Day 4: Friday, June 10th

Liberty Station

Hudson River Housing believes that those who served our country deserve the highest level of care, including quality, affordable housing. Hudson River Housing aims to meet the needs for the veteran community through specialized housing, transportation, advocacy, and care management.

Operated by Hudson River Housing, Liberty Station was the first of three housing services available for Veterans. Opened in 2014, Liberty Station offers a supportive living environment in the company of other veterans. Units are single room occupancy, with shared kitchen and bath facilities. Garden Street Housing and Poughkeepsie Commons also offer housing for veterans. Garden Street Housing offers low-cost housing with a preference for female veterans, with private baths and shared kitchen and common areas and Poughkeepsie Commons is a 72-unit apartment complex that offers 24 one-bedroom apartments exclusively for veterans.

Veterans from Liberty Station, Garden Street Housing, and Poughkeepsie Commons will gather at Liberty Station to meet and engage with Renegades players and staff.

For more information, please visit hudsonriverhousing.org

Day 5: Saturday, June 11th

Disability, Dream & Do (D3) / ThinkDIFFERENTLY Camp @ Heritage Financial Park

D3 and ThinkDIFFERENTLY collaborate to host camp in partnership with Hudson Valley Renegades. Disability Dream & Do (D3) is a pro style practice with professional players at stadiums across the country. D3 participants have an opportunity to hit, throw, catch and run the bases with instruction from the best regardless of anyone's limitations.

The Disability Dream and Do (D3Day) sports camps were created by Dave Clark, the only pitcher in professional sports history to pitch on crutches, and Doug Cornfield, a former NCAA medal winning runner at Georgia, who himself had a child born with no arms. These camps allow professional players to interact with children with special needs in various drills and compete in sports with no limitations. In 2016, Dave Stevens, who was born without legs but played college football and minor league baseball, came on board as the D3 Day camps expanded to other cities in the US. Dave, Dave and Doug now put on camps all over the country and share their amazing stories as well as inspire others to look past a disability and turn it into an ability.

“There are two types of Dreamers, Dreamers that Dream, and Dreamers that Dream & Do! — Dave Clark, Only professional baseball player to pitch from crutches

“ThinkDIFFERENTLY” is a call to action, a genuine challenge to determine if we have it within ourselves to look past our differences and treat others the way we would hope to be treated. Too often, too many with special needs are overlooked and their unique abilities ignored. Instead, we seek to lift each other up and embrace all residents of all abilities. Launched by Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro in 2015, the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative seeks to change the way individuals, businesses, organizations and communities relate to our neighbors with special needs.

For more information, Please visit www.thinkdifferently.net

Day 6: Sunday, June 12th

Fishkill Food Pantry

The Fishkill Food Pantry was established as a mission program in 1985 to assist individuals and families in the Southern Dutchess area who are coping with financial emergencies and supply basic food needs. The people served are often referred to the Pantry by social service agencies, churches, schools, and family advocates. The Pantry is the largest food pantry in Dutchess County, serving families in Beacon, Beekman, Chelsea, Cold Spring, Fishkill, Glenham, Hopewell Junction, Hughsonville, Stormville, and Wappingers Falls.

Day to day operation of the Pantry is carried out by more than 50 volunteers. There is always a need for more volunteers to assist in ways such as receive phone calls, fulfill client orders, greeting clients and distributing groceries, inventory checks, and accepting donations. Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm, Wednesday from 2:30pm to 7:00pm, Saturday (1st & 3rd of the month) from 9:00am to 12:00pm. For more information or to help, contact (845) 896-4546.

For more information, please visit regionalfoodbank.net

Renegades Community

Community Events
Community Star Award
Curemark Sensory Safe Suite
Donation Requests
Education Program
Fundraising Opportunities
HOPE Week
Mascot Appearances
The Nine
Outstanding Student-Athlete
Veteran of the Game
We Care Wednesday
Youth Field Betterment