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BLACKSBURG -- For the sixth straight academic year, the Virginia Tech baseball team will participate in 19 Ways, a campaign that challenges the baseball players to find 19 events that help make a difference within the community during an academic year.

“Our 19 Ways program provides our student-athletes an unbelievable opportunity to make a difference for those less fortunate,” Tech’s head baseball coach Patrick Mason said. “In the past, it has allowed us to bring awareness to great causes, raise money for those in need and brighten someone’s day.”

And for the second straight year, the Hokies are not wasting anytime with kicking off its 19 Ways campaign. The 2015-16 academic year will start this weekend with the players supporting “Lemonade for Livy.” They will be selling lemonade for three days straight starting on Friday, July 17, from Noon to 4 p.m. and will continue at the same times Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, as well. Players will be on hand selling lemonade at English Field during the weekend’s baseball tournament there.

“Lemonade for Livy” was created by Livy’s Hope, an organization whose mission is to support children with medical needs and their families. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation and its goal to find a cure for epilepsy. The intent of the campaign is to turn the country purple (the color of epilepsy awareness) by holding at least one lemonade event in each state.

For those wishing to help the baseball team’s effort in raising money, but cannot make it to any of the events, a link has been created to donate online - CLICK HERE.

“Lemonade for Livy” was inspired by 9-year old Olivia Scheinman who has had severe epilepsy since birth. Although she cannot walk or talk, she has incited a movement of children and families coming together from around the United States to raise money for epilepsy research. Her twin sister Hailey leads the charge from Clearwater, Florida, and motivates people to get involved through her Facebook videos.

“I will do anything to help Livy and I think everything is possible if you believe in it,” Hailey has said in the past. “We need a cure so my sister and everyone else with epilepsy can live in peace.”

Other events anticipated for the fifth year of 19 Ways include the team’s annual Shave for the Brave and military appreciation breakfast, and assisting in efforts with Micah’s Backpack, Taste of Inspiration (partners with the Special Olympics), No Shave November and Special Olympics bowling nights to name a few.

To see images of past events and to stay current with this year’s 19 Ways events, go to the campaign’s facebook page. To suggest events or to make donations directly to 19 Ways, contact Austin Hartsook, Tech’s Director of Baseball Operations, by phone: (540) 231-9976 or email: hartsook@vt.edu.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Baseball