When the calendar turns to December, it’s time for Still Got Game Foundation Executive Director, Melissa Persaud, and the foundation’s Board of Directors, including former Major Leaguers LaTroy Hawkins, Torii Hunter, Kenny Lofton, and Drew Stubbs, to gather in Las Vegas for their annual board meeting.

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During the session, Persaud led the former players and other board members – mostly executives from the financial services industry – through a complete review of 2024 events and activities.  For example, over the previous 12 months, the Foundation conducted youth baseball and softball clinics and high school financial literacy events across the country. Following its recap, the board moves on to chart its course for the coming year.

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Once a consensus is reached on the future programming of the Foundation, the board shifts its focus to more than 75 of its most generous and committed supporters and former Major Leaguers attending the Foundation’s annual fund-raising poker and golf tournaments. The poker and golf tournaments were both generously presented by Cliffwater, LLC for the fourth year in a row.  Newcomers attending the events in 2024 included former big league stars Jason Giambi, Greg Vaughn, and Hall of Famer, Paul Molitor.

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New in 2024 was the Foundation’s Mystery Board featuring 100 unique and exclusive prizes.  Supporters received a chance at a prize on the Mystery Board by donating to the Foundation.  All of the prizes had a retail value of more than the required donation, and the grand prize, a trading card signed by Mickey Mantle, was plucked by one incredibly happy guest, Jonathan Drubner.​  A live auction was also held during the event, with Lofton, Hunter, and Hawkins serving as the auctioneers!  One of the highlights of the auction was Giambi outbidding the competition to get his hands on Hall of Famer Eddie Murray’s bat and jersey, which the slugger gladly personalized on the spot.

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The golf tournament ended in a three-way tie.  After a tiebreaker, the fivesome featuring Kenny Lofton (fresh off rotator cuff surgery), David Mendelson, Gary Fenton, Billy Koch, and Michael Chiovare were declared the winners. The closest to the pin winners were Jonathan Drubner and Brad Allen.

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After two-plus days of mixing business with pleasure, the Still Got Game Foundation left Las Vegas a big winner.  Thanks to the generosity of its guests and supporters, the Foundation raised more than $300,000 during its 2024 fundraising events. Before departing for home, the Still Got Game Foundation board of directors bestowed a $12,500 grant to the Las Vegas-based Shane Victorino Foundation, ensuring that some of what was raised in Vegas stays in Vegas!

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The Still Got Game Foundation wishes to thank its participating board members, Ben Posen, Stephen Solaka, Mike Buckius, Brendan Miller, Joseph Rosen as well as the current and former Major League Baseball players who joined the festivities, including Jeff Beliveau, Bobby Bonilla, Royce Clayton, Marty Cordova, Jack Flaherty, Jason Giambi, Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins, Torii Hunter , Jacque Jones , Brandon Kintzler, Mike Lieberthal, Mike Lincoln, Kenny Lofton, James Loney, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Mike Myers , Trevor Plouffe , David Riske, Steve Trachsel, Greg Vaughn, Shane Victorino, Jeff Weaver and Randy Wolf.

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The Foundation also tips its cap to all the event participants and sponsors, and thanks them for their ongoing support and generosity.