Joe Torre Night: A Home Run for Safe At Home and the Somerset Patriots

On July 23, 2024, the Somerset Patriots hosted a memorable “Joe Torre Night.” This event, part of Safe At Home’s ongoing partnership with Minor League Baseball (MiLB), underscored our vital work in educating and empowering children, families, and communities to be changemakers who build a safer, braver world.

The evening kicked off with our co-founder, Joe Torre, sharing his deeply personal journey during an on-field Q&A session. Speaking openly about his experiences growing up in a home affected by domestic violence, Joe explained how these experiences inspired him and his wife, Ali, to establish the Safe At Home Foundation over two decades ago. Through our Margaret’s Place programs, we create safe spaces inside schools for empowerment, education, and understanding.

Fans were greeted with a special edition Joe Torre x Safe At Home Topps baseball card, a unique keepsake that also serves as a tool for spreading awareness about domestic violence and abuse. Adding to the evening’s excitement, many fans participated in a raffle to win a baseball signed by Joe himself, and Joe set the tone for the game with a ceremonial first pitch.

This event is part of a larger initiative where over 45 MiLB teams are participating from June 9 until September 2, 2024. Each participating team will raffle or auction off a Joe Torre autographed baseball, with proceeds benefiting either Safe At Home, or a local domestic violence organization. Teams will also distribute educational materials, share Safe At Home’s 30 second PSA, and engage with local domestic violence organizations to further extend our reach and impact.

Our partnership with MiLB allows us take the healing powers of Margaret’s place beyond the classroom and into the ballpark, empowering fans across the country to join us in our mission. As Joe himself said, “Millions are exposed to violence, trauma, and abuse every year. It is vital that we raise awareness and that they have access to support. We are proud to partner with Minor League Baseball and Topps to educate and inspire MiLB fans to make a difference and join us in cultivating a new generation of healthy, respectful relationships, where everybody feels safe at home.”

The success of “Joe Torre Night” with the Somerset Patriots is a testament to the power of community and sports in driving positive change. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Somerset Patriots community, and especially to the Kalafer family, for their unwavering support of our mission. It was a night filled with baseball, hope, and a shared commitment to making the world a safer place for children and families.

For more opportunities to support Safe At Home through our partnership with MiLB, including finding upcoming games in your area, visit joetorre.org/milb.

Par for the Cause: Highlights from Our 2024 Annual Golf & Tennis Classic

On July 25, 2024, Safe At Home hosted its highly anticipated Annual Golf & Tennis Classic at the prestigious Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, New York. This 20th-year event, which sold out well in advance, was a testament to the dedication and support of our community, sponsors, and guests.

The day began with a delightful breakfast, where participants eagerly connected and set the stage for a memorable day. The excitement was palpable as a star-studded lineup of celebrity guests, including Rick Cerone, Willie Colon, Ken Dashow, Ken Daneyko, Donny Marshall, Jim Leyritz, Jeff Nelson, Lee Mazzilli, Tino Martinez, Dan Plesac, John Starks, Mike Richter, and Tom Verducci, graced us with their presence. Their engagement added an extraordinary touch, making the day truly special.

Participants in the tennis clinic and round-robin tournament put in their best efforts, working up a sweat and enjoying the beautiful weather. Meanwhile, golfers competed in a “Best Ball” format, aiming for the lowest net and gross scores. The camaraderie and friendly competition were highlights of the day.

Congratulations to all of our award winners:

Low Gross: Bob Devlin, Michael Devlin, Michael Gilmore, John Hoffman, Elliot Levine, John Starks

Low Net: Andrew Clarke, Mike Shea, Sean Byrne, Brian Shapiro, Matt Boland

Closest to the Pin: Scott Burrell, Marie Jensen

Longest Drive: Whit Mayberry, Johanna Redpath

Tennis Round Robin: Maury Gostfrand, Steve Pastor, Lori Sunkin, Andrea Torre

As the sun set, guests gathered for a picturesque cocktail hour on the lawn, followed by a dinner reception under the tent. The evening was highlighted by heartfelt speeches and special recognitions.

The evening opened with a welcome and gratitude from Bob Murray, our Golf Committee Chair, whose leadership and commitment have been instrumental in the success of the Golf & Tennis Classic. He expressed his thanks to everyone for their support and dedication to Safe At Home.

Ali and Joe Torre then took the stage to reflect on Safe At Home’s journey and how far we have come in our mission to end the cycle of domestic violence.

Maile Zambuto, our CEO, spoke about the transformative power of the Margaret’s Place programs, sharing inspiring stories of students who have found hope and healing through Safe At Home. She also took a moment to recognize and introduce our honoree, Frank Longobardi, a dedicated board member whose passion, leadership, and support have been instrumental in Safe At Home’s growth and success. Frank’s heartfelt remarks highlighted the importance of our mission and the impact we continue to make. His energy and motivation were also key in driving the success of our evening pledge donations.

“Being a part of Safe at Home, I am reminded every single day how different my childhood could have been if I had the gift of Margaret’s Place at my school. How much safer I could have been. And how much braver the community around me would have been in responding to the abuse if they were empowered with knowledge, education and understanding. I am also reminded every day that the children who come to Margaret’s Place, they are our guides to Safe at Home’s greatest ambition–a safer and braver world.” - Maile Zambuto, Chief Executive Office

We were also honored to be joined by Fritz Simeon, a recent graduate of White Plains HS where we have had a Margaret’s Place program for over 15 years. Fritz moved many in the audience as he spoke about the support and guidance he received through Margaret’s Place, specifically through Ms. S, who accompanied Fritz on stage. Ms. S started her journey as a Margaret’s Place student and is now guiding students to heal and grow through the same supportive environment—a true testament to the transformative power of our programs.

"I was always a kid who was dealing with stress, depression and anxiety. And school was very stressful for me. I came to a point I just wanted to give up. But when I started talking to Ms. S she started helping me out with my feelings and problems and I felt supported.” - Fritz Simeon, Margaret's Place alumn

One of the highlights of the evening was the panel featuring Joe Torre, Ken Daneyko, John Starks, Jim Leyritz, and Tim O’Neill. The panelists reminisced about their days in sports, sharing laughs, insights, and previously unheard stories. The conversation provided a unique perspective on their illustrious careers and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Golf & Tennis Committee: Bob Murray, Chair; Kyle Driscoll; Rob Gaynor; Maury Gostfrand; Tim O’Neill; Gerry Polizzi; Matt Roux. Special thanks to the Kalafer family, Clinton Honda, and Land Rover Princeton for sponsoring our Hole-in-One cars on holes 7 & 10, to Major League Baseball and Pedigree Ski Shop for their generous gift bag donations, to Capital One for their raffle donation, to WFAN radio for broadcasting live throughout the day, Goodman Media International, Inc. for their media support, our event photographer John Chan, our staff and volunteers, our sponsors, and to all our celebrity guests who made the event even more memorable. Your unwavering support is the backbone of our efforts to create safer, braver spaces for children and families.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made the 2024 Annual Golf & Tennis Classic a truly unforgettable event. As we reflect on this incredible day, we are filled with gratitude and inspiration. The funds raised will directly benefit Safe At Home’s groundbreaking Margaret’s Place initiative, allowing us to continue providing safe spaces for empowerment, education, and understanding.

Join us in shaping a world free from harm. We are safer, and braver, together.

Couldn’t join us this year? Make a contribution below.

We look forward to seeing you next year!