Community Programs

The Newark Bears take a very active role in Northern New Jersey, participating in events that better the community throughout the calendar year. Along with taking part in these various events, the Bears have initiated and grown their own community outreach programs to benefit both children and grown-ups alike.

Ruppert’s Reading Rally presented by Rutgers Newark :

This program, which is designed to promote literacy among New Jersey children, is entering its fourth year.  Each child in the program receives a bookmark which, upon reading five books outside the regular core curriculum, can be redeemed for one free ticket to a Newark Bears game. Each school with 75 completed bookmarks receives an assembly with Rip 'N Ruppert!  During the 2008 season, schools and libraries from Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Bergen Counties participated in the Reading Rally.

Newark Bears Swing for the Fences Writing Contest:

This program is designed to allow students to demonstrate their skills in creativity, structure, and organization.  Each student writes an essay about team work, responsibility, or discipline. The author of the top essay (in conjunction with a strong recommendation from a faculty member) is awarded a position as a Newark Bears bat boy or girl. The contest is open to high school sophomores and juniors. 

 
Newark Bears Scholarship Superstars Program:

The Newark Bears Scholarship Superstars program was created to inspire today’s young people to achieve academic excellence. The Bears honor those students in the Newark Public Schools system who achieve the honor roll for the 2008-09 academic year. As a reward for this achievement, the Bears are creating three nights during the season to reward these high-achieving students with pre-game recognition and post-game fireworks. 

Newark Bears Holiday Card Design Contest:

The Newark Bears in collaboration with the Office of Extended School Day Programs in Newark sponsors this contest for students in grades K – 5 to help promote artistic creativity. The winning design is used as the Newark Bears’ official holiday card, which is sent to Bears’ friends, patrons and business affiliates. The winner receives the use of a luxury skybox for a selected game during the season and has the honor of throwing out the first pitch prior to the game of their choice. Pictured below is this year's past winners card, The designer is 5th grader Alicia Francois from Alexander Street School.