(Above) Todd "Parney" Parnell of the Flying Squirrels brings in a big load of coats, while Gary Glover (Below) accepts several beautiful jackets from a few of our younger givers.

Puritan teamed up with Richmond’s new baseball team, the Flying Squirrels, to have a special Coats For Kids coat drive at the Diamond. This event, called the “Ballpark Warming Party,” was held on Saturday, November 21st, from 10am to 2pm. The Ballpark Warming Party featured a festival-style atmosphere as the Flying Squirrels welcomed fans back to the new and improved Diamond. Fans took guided tours of the stadium to see the new renovations, sampled food items, sang karaoke on The Diamond entryway stage, and participated in carnival games.

The Ballpark Warming Party was free of charge to fans of all ages.

Puritan and the Flying Squirrels asked fans to bring coats for donation to The Diamond that day. For each coat donated to Puritan's Coats for Kids, fans received a raffle ticket and a chance to win baseball memorabilia and other great prize packages. Prizes won included: autographed baseballs from baseball Hall of Famers Paul Molitor and Brooks Robinson, autographed baseballs from Atlanta Braves Brian McCann and Tim Hudson, autographed memorabilia from baseball greats Cal Ripken, Jr. and Jim Palmer, ticket packages to the Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal 400 and Nationwide Series at Richmond International Raceway, prize packages from noted minor league teams, and many more.

"It was a great day to be at the ballpark," said Puritan Cleaners President Gary Glover. "We got to meet a lot of nice people, collect a truckload full of coats, and spend some time with the Flying Squirrels' staff. Their energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and they did a great job of creating a lively and enjoyable event. It looks like The Diamond is going to be a really fun place to be next baseball season. Thanks to all the fans who came out and to the Flying Squirrels for hosting the event. We really appreciate it."

“The Ballpark Warming Party was awesome,” said Flying Squirrels’ Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “There was really great energy and really great results for Puritan Cleaners and Coats for Kids. We can’t thank the community enough for its support of the event.”