Cardboard to Leather collection set for Saturday at Camden Yards

On this Saturday, September 17, the Orioles and Oriole Advocates will hold the annual Cardboard to Leather Collection at Oriole Park before the O's take on the Angels. Volunteers at each gate of the park will accept donations of new and gently used baseball and softball equipment. Monetary donations will also be accepted. Those contributing to the collection will receive an autographed player card while supplies last. A silent auction will also be held inside Gate E on the main concourse to support Cardboard to Leather. The auction will begin when gates open and will conclude at 8:30 p.m. and will feature memorabilia from current Orioles, including NICK MARKAKIS, ADAM JONES, MATT WIETERS and more. In a special ceremony prior to the game, Legg Mason will present the Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation with a $20,000 contribution for the Cardboard to Leather Equipment Collection. In addition, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will award a grant of $5,000 to the Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation for the purchase of new equipment. Michael Walter-Dillon, a 3rd grader at Chadds Ford Elementary School in Chadds Ford, PA, and a baseball player in the Ripken League Unionville Recreation Association, will be recognized for his efforts in collecting used baseball and softball equipment for the Cardboard to Leather program. Michael has received unprecedented cooperation from many people and organizations in the area. Proceeds from the collection, silent auction, and check presentations will benefit the following: LaTrinidad Little League and Sebaco Valley Little Leagues in Nicaragua, Association Capitanan de Arecibo and Association Recreative Arbeja in Puerto Rico and Sapporo Youth Baseball and Softball Program in Japan that were affected by the tsunami.