Crushers Celebrating Dolly Parton on Sept. 4 with Pregame Book Reading and Fundraiser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Zane Bloom, zbloom@lecrushers.com

910-777-3871

Crushers Celebrating Dolly Parton on September 4 with Pregame Children’s Book Reading and Fundraiser with Lorain County Imagination Library

Avon, OH - Sept. 2, 2026 - On Friday, Sept. 4, the Lake Erie Crushers are partnering with the Community Foundation of Lorain County to honor the life and legacy of Dolly Parton. The partnership includes a pregame story reading session to celebrate Dolly’s commitment to childhood reading through the Lorain County Imagination Library. The team will also hold a fundraiser with the goal to provide a year of books to 100 Lorain County children.

During the game, the Crushers will celebrate the life of Dolly Parton with sing-alongs and trivia, then after the game, the fireworks show presented by OhioGuidestone will feature her greatest hits like “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “Islands In The Stream”.

Additionally, all kids are welcome to join for a reading of “Casey at the Bat” on the field before the game at 6:30pm. Kids will gather and sit around home plate as Executive Director of Crushers Charities Denise Komoroski, Crushers Broadcaster Zane Bloom, a Crushers player, and the Community Foundation’s President and CEO Cynthia Andrews read the historic narrative poem.

Before and during the game, the Crushers will hold a fundraiser with the goal of funding and providing 100 Lorain County children with books for a year in partnership with Lorain County Imagination Library. Since 2015, they have distributed over one million books to local kids in Lorain County, and the Crushers want to be part of starting the trek to two million. Each month, children from birth to age five receive a free, age-appropriate book mailed to their home. Fans, in the stadium and at home, can make a donation and be registered for the chance to win the grand prize to enjoy the use of a 16-person suite for one game during the 2027 Crushers season. 

To join the fundraising raffle, visit www.rafflebox.us/raffle/loraincountyimaginationlibrary

The fundraiser is also the first step in the Community Foundation of Lorain County’s “Connect to a Cause” event in the month of September. Connect to a Cause is an initiative that has raised $2M since 2020 for local non-profit organizations. This year, 112 Lorain County-based non-profit organizations – including Lorain County Imagination Library– are participating . The Crushers have kicked off the fundraiser that will culminate on Sept. 17. The 2026 “Connect to a Cause” goal is to raise $500,000 for local charities, all of which are based in and benefit the people of Lorain County. 

September 4 at ForeFront Field is part of BOGO Fan Finale Weekend to finish off the 2026 Lake Erie Crushers season. Fans can score Buy One, Get One Free tickets when they go to LakeErieCrushers.com/BOGO.

For information on season ticket memberships visit lecrushers.com or call (440) 934-3636, and be sure to follow our socials @LECrushers on Instagram/Facebook/X.

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About the Lake Erie Crushers

The Lake Erie Crushers are a professional baseball team based in Avon, Ohio, just 18 miles west of Cleveland at ForeFront Field. They compete in the Frontier League, a proud MLB Partner League, and have brought a family-friendly, fan-oriented baseball experience to Northeast Ohio since 2009. As Lorain County’s only professional sports franchise, the Lake Erie Crushers are the largest economic driver in Lorain County, hosting more than 200 events per year that include over 50 baseball games, concerts, charity functions, and other events that bring the community of Avon together. Len Komoroski is the Crushers Chairman and Managing Partner, and the team is led by President Vic Gregovits. Jared Lemieux, a Maine Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, is in his fourth season as field manager.

About the Community Foundation of Lorain County

The Community Foundation of Lorain County, established in 1980, has proudly served as a dynamic force for good in Lorain County for more than 45 years. Fueled by the generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and non-profit organizations, we are honored to manage over 700 endowment funds with assets nearing $200M. Our mission remains steadfast: connecting people who care with causes that matter. For more information, visit our website at peoplewhocare.org.