The Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League have embarked on a campaign to raise funds for hurricane and typhoon relief efforts in the New Orleans and Mississippi Gulf Coast areas in the U.S., and Kagoshima here in Japan.
At the suggestion of manager Bobby Valentine, approved by Lotte's director of planning and public relations Shigeo Araki, the team will be donating money from program sales during the final six home games (Sept. 17-22) of the 2005 regular season to aid victims of the disaster-stricken regions.
Valentine will also be signing autographs in exchange for donations from fans prior to the remaining six home games, and collection boxes will be set up inside Chiba Marine Stadium.