Barry Bonds and Giants Help Famed World Series Eagle

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Barry Bonds and Giants Help Famed World Series Eagle

TENNESSEE, PIGEON FORGE, Oct. 21 -/E-Wire/-- Mayor Rudy Guiliani, Michael Eisener, Roy Disney, Dolly Parton, George Steinbrenner, Billy Crystal, Bud Selig, Paul McCartney, Bill Clinton, Charlie Gibson, Ted Turner, Larry King, Norman Swartzkopf and David Letterman are just few admirers that have rubbed shoulders with him.

Named in honor of the space shuttle crew, Challenger is the first Bald Eagle in U.S. history trained to free-fly into major league sports stadiums during the singing of the National Anthem, and gained much of his international celebrity status at the 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001 World Series.

His spectacular free-flight appearances have inspired and thrilled millions of sports fans throughout the U.S.A. Over the years, his majestic presence has graced baseball games for the Giants, Angels, Yankees, Rangers, Royals, Brewers and Braves.

After September 11, 2001, his memorable nationally televised performances at Yankee Stadium touched the very heart and soul of America. It's no wonder that his life story will soon become the subject of a children's book, and possibly an animated movie and a baseball trading card too.

Challenger is definitely "hot", and has added a few more notable humans to his prestigious fan club...super slugger Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.

During a visit by the famous eagle to their Pac Bell Park locker room, Bonds and Giants team members were more than happy to pass around and sign a baseball for the non-profit American Eagle Foundation (http://www.eagles.org), headquartered at Dolly Parton's Dollywood entertainment park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

"Dusty Baker and the players were awestruck. He's an impressive bird to meet up close. Barry showed him a lot of respect and even asked to touch his wings", said Al Louis Cecere, President of the eagle preservation group. "The team gave us the signed baseball to help raise money for the on-going care of Challenger. They donated $10,000 too".

That special ball is now being offered for public sale by the charitable organization. But, before taking ownership, the right memorabilia collector or philanthropist will need to donate $250,000 to help establish a trust fund for Challenger and his feathered friends back home.

"We feed and manage about 70 birds of prey daily, including Challenger and 35 other eagles, and there's a real need to establish a $5,000,000 endowment for their future care", said Cecere. "Our non-profit relies totally on support from corporations and individuals to pay our bills, and receives no governmental monies. The resources at hand are always limited and lean".

Still sound a bit pricey for a single baseball? Maybe so, but that's not all the would-be owner will receive. As an added bonus, the special Giants ball will be personally delivered to a generous donor by Challenger himself. That visit will also include a private photo session with and educational free-flight demonstration by the regal bird. In addition, the aviary where Challenger resides in Tennessee (when he's not on the road) will be named in honor of the donor for a five-year period. That could be a real bargain for a person or company genuinely interested in helping a very special American eagle. To make the ball yours, simply call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE].

"We're grateful to the Giants for helping give wings to the preservation of our national bird. Other teams have donated to the cause too", said Cecere, "God has really used the sport of baseball to bless us. Now, we're praying that this ball will help hit a homerun for Challenger...hopefully Barry Bonds style".

The non-profit American Eagle Foundation was established in 1985 and is federally licensed to provide care to about 70 birds of prey daily, including 36 eagles. These birds are non-releasable due to permanent physical disabilities or accidental imprinting on humans. The organization operates the largest Bald Eagle breeding facility in the world. Many of the eagles residing there have successfully reproduced, and dozens of captive-hatched eaglets have been released into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains area. The Foundation has also been a party to releasing hundreds of other eaglets into the wilds of Tennessee in cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Over the years, it has supported numerous public education and eagle recovery/protection projects in various states.

Challenger is a 14 year old non-releasable Bald Eagle that can no longer survive in the wild. He was blown from a nest in a storm as a baby and was rescued by humans. After being released into the wild twice, he always landed near people to beg for food. The noble bird was removed from nature, after he was almost beaten up by a man with a stick that he landed next to in search of a meal. He has been cared for by the American Eagle Foundation for the past 13 years.

Singing cowboy and baseball team owner Gene Autry served as an Honorary Co-Chairman of the Foundation for a number of years, and once named a Bald Eaglet "Peace On Earth" that the group released into the wild.

American Eagle Foundation

Al Louis Cecere, President of American Eagle Foundation, 1-[REDACTED-PHONE](office),

1-[REDACTED-PHONE] (cellular),

or [REDACTED-EMAIL]/

http://www.eagles.org

http://metatronics.com/eagle

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