The Mariners are again funding the Art Mikelsen league grant for 2026. I have attached a letter for you to pass on to your leagues. 

The Mariners (actually I think I saw that Marc is actually sponsoring this one, but I couldn't find that note - he can correct me if I'm wrong) are also doing a Bob Hellinger Volunteer of the Year award. For those of you who weren't around prior to 2020, Bob was the group ticket person in charge of the :Little League days (among other group sales). Marc holds this position today. 

Like Marc, Bob was also involved as a Little League volunteer. He coached and was a Little League president. Many of us had the opportunity to go to Little League tournaments and other events with Bob and consider him a friend. Bob died unexpectedly Jan. 16, 2023, at the age of 64. 

Marc has left the criteria for the Hellinger Volunteer of the Year award open ended. I think there are a variety of criteria that could be used - longevity as a volunteer in service to league(s) and/or district; amount of volunteering or contributions to league(s) and/or district; and importance of a volunteer to league(s) and/or district come to mind as possibilities. Other criteria are possible and the beauty of the design of this award is that there are no wrong answers. 

Leagues and/or district administrators can nominate someone by emailing Marc Mahoney at mmahoney@nariners.com. If you have questions about either of these awards, feel free to email Marc or me (spoiler alert - Marc has more answers than I probably do).