For the ninth year, we teamed up with MiLB to raise awareness and inspire fans of all ages. At 63 participating games, families took home Safe At Home Topps® cards, saw mission-driven messages on scoreboards, and connected with local organizations right at the ballpark. At select games, fans even had the chance to win Joe Torre autographed baseballs.

What makes MiLB so special is the connection to local communities. From kids proudly trading Safe At Home cards in the stands, to families stopping by resource tables, to local organizations meeting fans face-to-face, these moments highlight how awareness and education ripple outward, one ballpark at a time.

This year’s participating MiLB teams included:

• Omaha Storm Chasers
• Peoria Chiefs
• Portland Sea Dogs
• Reading Fightin Phils
• Reno Aces
• Rochester Red Wings
• Round Rock Express
• Salem Red Sox
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
• Somerset Patriots
• South Bend Cubs
• St. Lucie Mets
• St. Paul Saints
• Stockton Ports
• Toledo Mud Hens
• Tulsa Drillers
• Vancouver Canadians
• Visalia Rawhide
• Wichita Wind Surg

In addition to our MiLB activations, seven Major League Baseball (MLB) teams partnered with us this summer to bring Safe At Home into their home ballparks. At participating games, fans saw Safe At Home featured on scoreboards, received custom Topps® cards, and connected with local organizations offering resources.

At select games, Joe Torre joined in the experience by stepping onto the field, reuniting with teams from his career, and sharing our mission in broadcast booths and community spaces. Each game carried its own unique story.

Here are some of the highlights:

July 30, 2025

At Busch Stadium, Joe Torre joined the St. Louis Cardinals for a pregame ceremony, along with community partners YWCA Metro St. Louis, who’s hotline information was posted around the ballpark to help connect fans to local resources. YWCA staff also tabled before and during the game, sharing custom Safe At Home Topps® cards along with both Safe At Home and YWCA materials. Joe joined both the TV and radio broadcast booths, sharing stories from his career and reflecting on why prevention and education are so critical.

Joe played for St. Louis from 1969–1974, earning National League MVP in 1971, and later managed the team from 1990–1995. He was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2016.

August 10, 2025

At Target Field, Safe At Home was part of a family-focused game day with the Minnesota Twins, along with Esperanza United, a local organization who Safe At Home was featured alongside during the pregame ceremony. Fans saw PSAs kids ages 12 and under who ran the bases after the game received custom Safe At Home Topps® cards.

August 12, 2025

At Yankee Stadium, fans saw Safe At Home’s PSA on the scoreboard before the New York Yankees‘ first pitch, and Joe joined media throughout the game to share his story and our mission. This participating game brought together longtime supporters and new friends, all in support of a safer, braver future.

Of course, Yankee Stadium will always be home turf for Joe. As manager from 1996–2007, he led the Yankees to four World Series championships and had his number 6 retired in Monument Park in 2014.

August 14, 2025

At Progressive Field, Joe Torre threw out the first pitch, followed by an announcement about Safe At Home. Joe joined the Cleveland Guardians’ TV, radio, and Spanish-language radio broadcasts, helping bring our mission to fans across Cleveland.

September 14, 2025

Safe At Home will join the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park as part of their annual Domestic Violence Awareness game with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). During the pregame ceremony, both Safe At Home’s and PCADV’s PSAs will be shown, while local organizations table outside the stadium gates to connect fans with resources. Fans will also receive custom Safe At Home Topps® cards alongside additional information from PCADV and other partners.

From Major League ballparks to Minor League communities, our baseball partnerships remind us that the game is about so much more than wins and losses. It’s about respect, teamwork, and creating safe spaces for the next generation.

We’re grateful to MiLB, MLB, Topps®, and each team that helped make this season so meaningful. Together, we’re carrying forward our mission to end the cycle of domestic violence and abuse through education, and to create a world where every young person feels safe, supported, and respected.

Catch more highlights on our Instagram, and learn more at joetorre.org/milb.

We were joined by an all-star roster of celebrity guests, whose presence brought even more energy and enthusiasm to the day. Special thanks to:

Marco Battaglia, Rick Cerone, Ken Dashow, Ken Daneyko, Brian Kelly, Jim Leyritz, Mike Massimino, Paul Mirabella, Colton Orr, Dan Plesac, Aidan Quinn, Mike Richter, John Starks, and Tom Verducci.

As always, the spirit of the day was shaped by camaraderie, generosity, and a shared belief in creating safer, braver futures for young people.

After the games wrapped, guests gathered for a cocktail hour on the lawn before transitioning to our evening reception under the tent. The dinner program opened with remarks from our Golf & Tennis Committee Co-Chair, Matt Roux, who shared his gratitude and helped set the tone for the night.

Ali and Joe Torre took the stage to reflect on the heart of our work: the young people at the center of Margaret’s Place. They were followed by CEO, Maile Zambuto, who spoke about the continued impact of Safe At Home and the students we serve every day.

One of the highlights of the evening was a lively panel moderated by Former ESPN Executive and Safe At Home Board Member Tim O’Neill, featuring:

• Joe Torre, Hall of Fame Manager and Founder of Safe At Home
• Jim Leyritz, Former MLB Catcher and World Series Champion
• Mike Richter, NHL Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup Champion
• Mike Massimino, Former NASA Astronaut and Columbia Professor

The conversation wove together stories of sports, teamwork, resilience, and the moments that define a legacy, both on and off the field.

The program concluded with a special surprise: a celebration of Joe’s 85th birthday complete with cake, sparklers, and a heartfelt standing ovation from our guests. It was a moment that captured the warmth, admiration, and community spirit that define this event year after year.

We are deeply grateful to our 2025 Golf & Tennis Committee:

Bob Murray, Co-Chair; Matt Roux, Co-Chair; Kyle Driscoll; Rob Gaynor; Maury Gostfrand; Frank Longobardi; Tim O’Neill; and Gerry Polizzi.

Special thanks to John Chan and his team for capturing the spirit of the day through their beautiful photography.

And to every staff member, volunteer, sponsor, and guest who made this year’s Classic such a meaningful success—thank you. Your support directly fuels our Margaret’s Place programs and allows us to keep expanding our reach and impact.

Together, we’re shaping a world where every young person feels seen, heard, and safe.

We are safer, and braver, together.

Ali Torre, alongside Joe, expressed their deep appreciation for the guests who made the evening possible and shared their commitment to standing alongside the communities that need it most. Ali introduced a short film featuring current Margaret’s Place students ranging from elementary through high school, giving us a powerful glimpse into how our programs are creating a tangible impact. As the next generation of changemakers, we witnessed their resilience, growth, and efforts to create safer, braver spaces in their communities, offering a moving reminder of the real, lasting change we are making together. 

We had the incredible honor of celebrating Lori Yve Sunkin, LMFT, a dedicated Board Member and psychotherapist, for her extraordinary contributions to the mental health field, and her unwavering commitment to supporting individuals through trauma, transition, and healing for over 30 years. Lori’s profound impact on the Safe At Home mission was acknowledged with heartfelt words from Denise and Bryan Freedman, who introduced her as our 2025 honoree.

Lori was greeted with a standing ovation, and expressed her gratitude.

Maile Zambuto, our CEO, spoke from the heart, sharing her deep belief in the strength, courage and resilience of the youth we serve and the vital role Safe At Home plays in their healing journey. She introduced our Hope & Healing film.

We were inspired by Susan Toler Carr, Co-founder & Executive Director of the Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation, who shared a deeply personal message about grief, healing, and the importance of building community. Susan spoke candidly about the loss of her son, Justin, and the pain of losing cherished memories related to him in the fires. Her words resonated deeply with everyone in the room as she spoke about the strength and resilience we all carry in the face of loss and tragedy.  

The evening concluded with a beautiful performance by MILCK, a recording artist, writer, producer, and social change artist known for her anthemic songs that give voice to the emotions behind global and grassroots movements. MILCK performed “Power of the Heart” from her new album, as her music brought us all closer together with a message of healing and empowerment.

Following MILCK, Matt Scannell, lead singer and guitarist of Vertical Horizon, shared a selection of songs with the crowd. Matt, the songwriter behind the #1 Billboard hit “Everything You Want,” reminded us of the power of connection through art and song. “Music is where we find healing,” Matt said. “It’s where we all come together, no matter our differences, to find common ground.”

As the night came to a close, we were reminded of the collective strength of our community. Thanks to your incredible support, we continue to expand our reach and impact, helping young people and families across Los Angeles and beyond.

Charmaine Bailey • Joseph & Rita Cohen • Lindsay Crystal Miller • Gia Levin

Edward Mady • Mareva Marciano • Neda Marroso • Alison Petrocelli • Jeff Proctor

Michelle Richman • Tawny Sanders • Ken Scherer • Vaun Wilmott • Richard Weitz

Bob Costas, a cornerstone of Safe At Home’s journey, has been with us since the beginning, hosting the New York Gala year after year. As a legendary broadcaster with a career spanning more than four decades, Bob has not only left an indelible mark on sports journalism but has also played a pivotal role in elevating Safe At Home’s mission since its inception. This year, as he prepares for his retirement from broadcasting, we honored his unwavering support and reflected on the profound impact he has made in inspiring others to join our cause.

Joe and Ali Torre took the stage to share updates on Safe At Home’s journey and its growing reach. They spoke about how the organization has expanded beyond classrooms through innovative partnerships, including a collaboration with Minor League Baseball (MiLB). This partnership has introduced Margaret’s Place tools and resources to 45 teams, reaching over 150,000 individuals across the country. Inspired by this success, Safe At Home is now working to bring these resources to Major League Baseball and Little League, with the latter reaching over 1 million coaches and volunteers nationwide to educate them on keeping kids safe.

Maile Zambuto, Safe At Home’s Chief Executive Officer, provided an inspiring update on the organization’s growth and achievements over the past year. By the end of 2024, Safe At Home will have 29 Margaret’s Place programs across three states and three international locations. This includes the addition of nine new programs this year alone, thanks to a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education and Department of Mental Health. Maile also highlighted the success of Safe At Home’s pilot initiative to adapt the Margaret’s Place model for children as young as five years old, demonstrating the ability to address trauma at earlier stages of development.

A video showcasing the “Next Generation of Changemakers” featured Peace Warriors from PS 117, Peer Leaders from MS 217 in Queens, and students from White Plains High School. Their honest reflections on what it means to be a kid today captured the resilience, hope, and determination of the young people Safe At Home serves, underscoring the importance of creating spaces where they can thrive.

One of the evening’s most poignant moments came when professional baseball pitcher Zac Kristofak shared his deeply personal story. Zac and his brother experienced the tragic loss of their mother to domestic violence. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, Zac has channeled his resilience and determination into rising through the ranks of professional baseball, making his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this year. His connection to Safe At Home’s mission and his courage in sharing his story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of creating spaces for healing, hope, and resilience.

The generosity of attendees shone brightly during the live and program auctions, led by Jamie McDonald, as the audience came together to support Safe At Home’s vital work. Their enthusiasm and commitment underscored the collective dedication to empowering youth and building stronger communities.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this night possible: our Event Committee, Board of Directors, staff, Margaret’s Place counselors, and school principals. Thank you to our sponsors and donors, including our Official Airline Sponsor Delta Air Lines, our media partners at Goodman Media, our photographer John Chan, our production team, our volunteers and security team, and the team at Gotham Hall for their hospitality.

The 2024 New York Gala celebrated not just the progress we’ve made but also the collective commitment to creating a safer, braver future for the next generation. With your continued support, we will ensure every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.

Michael Ball • Kyle Driscoll • Frank Longobardi

Howard I. Smith • Gerry Polizzi • Matthew Roux