FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) pledges $10,000 in Challenge Dollars for the Taylor Hooton Foundation Scholarship Fund (THFSF)   McKinney, Texas (Thursday, April 18, 2024) – At the Ninth Annual All-Star Gala held on Saturday, April 13, at Forty|50 in Addison, Texas, the Taylor Hooton Foundation (THF) held a paddle raise in support of the Taylor Hooton Foundation Scholarship Fund. The THFSF was established at the inaugural All-Star Gala in 2015, to assist Educational Institutions, Associations, and Community Groups who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance to bring in one of the foundation’s ALL ME® Assembly Education Programs.  ALL ME Assembly programs were developed alongside the medical community, athletic trainers, and university experts to deliver a strong and entertaining message that is easy to understand and filled with integrity. These programs are delivered across North America to Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges & Universities, Associations, and Community groups. As long time supporters of reaching youth with the potentially life-saving message of the truths about Appearance and Performance Enhancing Substances, The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society pledged to match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 raised at the 9^th Annual All-Star Gala.  PBATS was joined by three other Challenge Donors-Brennan Wealth Advisors, Fox Family Foundation, and the NFL Foundation. “The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) has been a key partner to the Taylor Hooton Foundation since the organization was formed in 2005.  Because of PBATS countless lives across the U.S. have been impacted” THF President Donald Hooton said.  “Their commitment to the THF Scholarship Fund is only going to help our important message and education programs reach communities nationwide and we’re so thankful for their continued support.” Because of supporters like PBATS, almost $70,000 has been raised this year for the Scholarship Fund. Nick Kenney said “As President of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), it gives me immense joy to announce our support for the Taylor Hooton Foundation’s Scholarship Fund. We believe wholeheartedly in the mission of the Taylor Hooton Foundation to educate young athletes about the dangers of performance-enhancing substances. By contributing to their scholarship fund, PBATS is not only investing in the future of our sport but also in the well-being and development of our youth.” “Our donation is more than just a financial contribution; it’s a testament to our belief in the power of education to drive positive change. We are proud to stand alongside the Taylor Hooton Foundation in their efforts to equip young athletes with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.” To date 100,000 people have been directly educated because of the Scholarship Fund.  The foundation has been able to fulfill every scholarship fund request.     CONTACT:   Rick Cerrone / Rick Cerrone Communications (914) 715-5491 / rick@rickcerrone.com   About The Taylor Hooton Foundation: The Taylor Hooton Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating North America’s young people about the dangers of anabolic steroids and other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Substances. The friends and family of Taylor Hooton formed the Foundation in 2004 after his untimely death at 17 years old following his use of anabolic steroids.   For more information about the Taylor Hooton Foundation and its efforts, please visit www.taylorhooton.org.     About the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society:  The mission of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) is to serve as an educational resource for the Major League and Minor League Baseball athletic trainers. PBATS serves its members by providing for the continued education of the athletic trainer as it relates to the profession, helping to improve their understanding of sports medicine so as to better promote the health of the constituency— professional baseball players. PBATS also serves as a resource to educate those outside the professional baseball athletic trainer community about the profession and about the athletic trainer’s integral position within the sports medicine team.   For more information about PBATS, please visit https://pbats.com/