Cape May Brewing Company is teaming with Cape May native and San Diego Padres outfielder Matt Szczur on January 12th for a fundraiser to benefit the brand new Matthew Szczur Foundation.
From The Press Release
Cape May, NJ — Cape May Brewing Company is once again teaming with Padres outfielder and Cape May native Matt Szczur to raise much-needed funds and awareness for his newly-created Matthew Szczur Foundation. For their first Pint Night of the year, on January 12th, Cape May Brewing Company will be donating $1 from each pint and flight sold to the Matthew Szczur Foundation.
“Cape May Brewing Company is incredibly fortunate to have the ability to continue our relationship with Matt Szczur,” says CEO and co-founder Ryan Krill. “Not only is he a stellar athlete — and who doesn’t love to see a local success story? — but he embodies our Core Value of Be a Good Neighbor on a regular basis.”
As a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional, Szczur was raised not far from the brewery in Erma. A star athlete in high school, he was varsity in football, baseball, and track and field. He was drafted by the LA Dodgers out of high school, but decided instead to attend Villanova University, playing center field for the baseball team and leading the football team to their first-ever NCAA Football Championship.
While at Villanova, Szczur was tested by the Be the Match organization which matches willing donors with recipients of bone marrow. He was identified as a match to save the life of Anastasia, a young girl in Ukraine, and he didn’t think twice about stepping up.
Since then, Szczur and wife Natalie have dedicated their time in the off-season to raising awareness and funds for bone marrow research. Originally working with the Andy Talley Foundation, Szczur has since branched off, founding the Matthew Szczur Foundation.
“I started my own foundation because I saw the effect my experience had on those around me and on myself as well,” Szczur said. “It was a great, rewarding feeling. I wanted to save more lives and to give back to the community any way I could.”
Representatives from Be the Match will be on hand next Friday with information and signing up potential donors. Attendees will also have a chance to win tickets to Szczur’s 3rd Annual “Szcz The Day” Dinner Event on Saturday, January 27.
“The foundation is dedicated towards bone marrow research,” he explains, “but it also has a broader view as well. We want to be able to help people battling cancer, but not limited to people in the community or community groups needing help for certain things. We want to help the community any way we can.”
In addition, Szczur collaborated with Head Brewer Brian Hink a special one-off for the occasion: R.A.D. #001 infused with pineapple, mango, apricot, papaya, orange, and passionfruit.
“I love working with CMBC,” Szczur says. “It is humbling to know they want to be a part of such a special cause to me. Their support for the second year in a row is greatly appreciated, and I am grateful for them helping me spread the word and awareness for my cause.”
For more information on the Matthew Szczur Foundation, see www.szcztheday.com. For more information on Cape May Brewing Company — including for tours and tastings — see www.capemaybrewery.com or call (609) 884-9933.
No Comments