A new initiative launched by Indians DH Travis Hafner and wife Amy, Pronk's Peeps, is a program that is administered by Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland and is designed to address life and self-esteem skills for Cleveland Metropolitan School District 7th graders enrolled in the program. A total of 14 area schools will offer the Passport to Manhood and SMART Girls programs during the current school year. Thanks to Travis and Amy Hafner, the Pronk's Peeps program will benefit nearly 450 students within the participating schools. This is just one of the programs the Indians and Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland have installed for the betterment of Northeast Ohio youth.

Courtesy of corporate partner Key Bank, 18,600 students throughout Cuyahoga County have the opportunity to attend an Indians game each season. Recognized as 'HIGH ACHIEVERS' by their school principal, students in grades 4 through 10 are selected on the basis of good grades, high attendance, community involvement or other notable efforts deemed appropriate by the principal and/or teacher. These students receive complimentary Indians tickets to a select Tribe game.

The Cleveland Indians and The Plain Dealer teamed up once again to present the Tribe's annual "Tribe Reporter for a Day" program on Thursday, May 1 at Progressive Field. The "Tribe Reporter for a Day" program is designed to provide area students aspiring to become sports journalists with an inside look.

Students (Grades 9-12) competed in an essay contest on "Why you would like to be selected as a winner of the Tribe Reporter for a Day contest", with a panel of judges selecting 25 potential sports writers to participate in the 2008 program. Prior to the game beginning at 4 p.m., the 25 students discussed the journalism industry with Indians Beat Writer from The Plain Dealer Paul Hoynes, observe a press conference in the Progressive Field Press Interview Room with Eric Wedge, interview three Indians players and prepare a story of their experience. The winning story among the 25 students will be published in The Plain Dealer Education Corner on May 28.

The Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Clinic presented the second annual Major League Lunch Program. The Major League Lunch Program is designed to teach elementary students the importance of adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and regular exercise. Students from various schools participated in an essay contest about the importance of healthy eating habits, with the schools of the two winning essays receiving a visit from Tribe players. Students decorated their cafeterias in Cleveland Indians colors and named their lunch menu's after various Tribe players in anticipation of their arrival. Four Indians players (Tom Mastny, Mike Rouse, Ryan Garko and Josh Barfield) visited two local elementary schools to meet the author of the winning essays, served lunch to the students and promoted the importance of eating well-balanced meals. An entertaining Q&A session hosted by SportsTime Ohio broadcaster Matt Underwood a humorous Slider visit was also on hand to treat the children. The winners also received an on-filed presentation and threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch. This season, nearly 1,500 students were touched with this program with the number steadily increasing. Read the winning essays »

The Cleveland Indians and the Cuyahoga County Public Library proudly presented its annual Grand Slam Summer Literacy Program this past summer. Hundreds of youth and families enjoy special visits at their local Cuyahoga County Public Library branch from Indians players Ryan Garko and Jason Michaels, and Indians front office staff. Special books are picked by the players and read at each library visit. The program concluded with a special read atop the Indians dugout before an afternoon game by the players and their families.

Cleveland Indians Charities, in partnership with Cleveland State University, provide an annual scholarship to a CSU student athlete based on athletic ability and financial need. The scholarship is named after baseball legend and Hall of Fame outfielder, Larry Doby, the first African-American baseball player to integrate the American League. He was a power-hitting center fielder and a key member of Cleveland's pennant winners in 1948 and 1954. Information about how to apply to this scholarship is coming soon.

On Sunday, April 15, 2007 the Cleveland Indians joined Major League Baseball by celebrating the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier throughout baseball. On this date back in 1947, Robinson became the first African-American to play for a Major League Baseball team. In honor of Robinson, the official retirement of the uniform #42 was temporarily suspended. Josh Barfield, C.C Sabathia and Grady Sizemore each paid a special tribute to Robinson by wearing an Indians #42 jersey. A special on-field presentation, intro video and in-game scripts also took place honoring diversity suppliers, the legacy of Jackie Robison and the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation was established to help young people overcome obstacles, as it awards scholarships annually to full-time college students. This year's winner, Ohio Wesleyan University Junior Alexander Aguilar, participated in the special pre-game ceremony throwing out the first pitch. For more information on the Jackie Robinson Foundation, log on to www.jackierobinson.org.