A very special friend of the Jackie
Robinson Family YMCA, Jerry Coleman, the legendary broadcaster for the
San Diego Padres often called himself "the other number 42" for the New
York Yankees when Jackie Robinson wore number 42 for the Brooklyn
Dodgers.

It was in January of 1997 when the San Diego Padres
built the first Little Padres Park at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in
honor of Major League Baseball's 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson
breaking it’s color barrier. Three $1,000 scholarships were awarded
that year, then I was hired in October of 1997 and asked “what about the
tribute & scholarship gala?”

Jerry Coleman guaranteed that
this event will continue every year. And thanks to Jerry, over the
eighteen year history, we have now awarded over 160 scholarships to
college bound high school seniors that either live in or go to school in
our Southeastern San Diego service area. In addition, close to
$3,000,000 has been contributed to support families in need of financial
assistance for Y camp, sports, and swim programs.

Jerry has
served as the Honorary Chairman of the Annual Jackie Robinson Tribute
& Scholarship Dinner for each of its 17 years. This year’s event is
April 26, 2014 at the Sheraton Harbor Island.

Jerry also chaired our Safe At Home Hall of Fame Capital Campaign Cabinet with Dave Winfield, Kellen Winslow, Tony Gwynn, Marshall Faulk, Dick Vitale,
and Bill Walton. This HOF line-up has helped raise over $10.5 million
towards our $16 million goal to build a new YMCA in our current
location. Here's what Jerry had to say about this very special
opportunity:

 Sixty one years I’ve been in baseball. I’ve played
and worked with some of the all-time legends, like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey
Mantle, Ted Williams and Dave Winfield. Right near the top of that
list was Jackie Robinson, who not only broke records, he shattered the
barriers. He not only made a big difference in the game, he forever
changed baseball. Jackie led, so that players like Satchel Paige,
Willie Mays and Hank Aaron could follow. But Jackie’s contribution
shouldn’t be measured on his batting average. It’s much bigger than
that. Jackie wanted to make a difference in the lives of at-risk
kids—with mentoring programs and scholarships for deserving youth.


Join me as we fight that good fight - to give a better future to our
kids. When it comes to our kids, we all have to pitch in.

Jerry Coleman
2005 National Baseball Hall of Fame
San Diego Padres Hall of Fame




You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you
give of yourself that you truly give. Jerry Coleman gave all he had to
give because he believed in life and the bounty of life. Through his
hands God has spoken, and from behind his eyes He has smiled upon the
earth. We can all "hang a star on that baby!"

May God give his
family and all of us that loved "The Colonel" the strength to continue
living our lives in that same blessed spirit.

Jerry thanks for spending your heaven doing good on earth for kids and families served by the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA. Oh, Doctor, God has your star waiting for you. "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

☆Padres legend Jerry Coleman has died
☆San Diego mourns death of Padres announcer Jerry Coleman
☆Former Yankee, Marine Pilot Coleman Dies at 89
☆War hero won four titles with Yankees, called games in NY, San Diego
☆Brock on Jerry Coleman's legacy

Tribute. In memory of Jerry Coleman, the star
atop the Christmas tree of lights at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA
will remain lit for 42 nights. "The Colonel" never missed an opportunity to serve others before self.