Contact:             Jim Gemmell
                         Director of Communications, Youth Alternatives/Ingraham
                         207.523-5014; jgemmell@youthalternatives.org

What:                Portland Sea Dogs Welcome Back Dinner
Where:              Portland Expo
When:               April 2, 2008, 5:30 p.m.

Sea Dogs Welcome Back to Benefit Youth Alternatives/Ingraham

PORTLAND (March 8, 2008) —Youth Alternatives/Ingraham will celebrate the Portland Sea Dogs’ return from spring training with the perennial community favorite Sea Dogs Welcome Back to Benefit Youth Alternatives/Ingraham dinner on April 2, 2008. This fun-filled family event is presented by TD Banknorth with sponsorship from ABC 8 WMTW. All proceeds from the evening benefit Youth Alternatives/Ingraham’s work for Maine’s children, adults, and families.

The Sea Dogs arrive from Florida excited about a new season, thrilled to meet their fans and ready to pitch in for the Youth Alternatives/Ingraham cause! The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. when the 2008 team arrives to mingle with fans and give autographs, while Sea Dogs mascot Slugger mugs for pictures with children and families. After a fun ballpark-style dinner, live entertainment and exciting raffle prize drawings, Portland’s home team is introduced in a rally to a full-house of nearly 400 people!

According to Youth Alternatives/Ingraham President Michael J. Tarpinian, “The Welcome Back is always a thrill. Since 1993, the Portland Sea Dogs have worked with Youth Alternatives/Ingraham to throw a party that brings the community together for fun and the excitement of baseball, while benefiting the important work YA/Ingraham does for children, families and adults in Maine. It’s a wonderful tradition that introduces the team to a caring community, and lets players and fans make a difference.”

This popular event sells out quickly. Anyone who gets one of the first two hundred tickets purchased will dine with a member of the Sea Dogs! Tickets, priced at $18 for adults and $8 for children under 12, may be purchased by calling 874-1175 x 1111 or online at http://www.youthalternatives.org/seadogs.

Youth Alternatives and Ingraham joined forces in September of 2007 and together provide a broad array of vital, therapeutic social services to children, families, and adults throughout Maine. Youth Alternatives/Ingraham relies on the support of our community, individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.