SALISBURY, Md. (Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019) — Perdue Farms is giving a $150,000 grant from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to help pay for a baseball field for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities on the Lower Shore.

Known as Project 7½, the field will be built at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex in Wicomico County, Md. The field, featuring bleachers, sidewalks, parking, a nearby inclusive playground and other amenities, will give people with physical or intellectual disabilities an opportunity to play baseball. Field construction is expected to be completed in spring 2020.

“This generous grant from Perdue will allow us to start construction of the field,” said Steve Miller, director of Wicomico County’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism. “We’re thrilled to include Perdue as partners and welcome them to the complex.”

The synthetic turf field will be dedicated to the late Frank Perdue, who was an avid baseball fan. 

“We’re honored to be part of this important project and to share Frank Perdue’s legendary love for baseball,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation.

Project 7½ — thought to be the only dedicated baseball field for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities on the Lower Shore — will host a regional Little League Challenger Division^®and other inclusive programs. The Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex, located on Naylor Mill Road in Salisbury, is the area’s premier outdoor sports facility.

The Little League Challenger Division^®is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. The program accommodates players from 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school.

About Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism
Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism represents county government’s commitment to enhance the quality of life for Wicomico County residents through public recreation, safe and attractive parks, tourism-driven initiatives that increase economic activity in the County and a multi-purpose Civic Center. Learn more at www.wicomicorecandparks.org.

About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture®.

About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.

The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and the company is the leader in organic chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.