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BLACKSBURG -- For the seventh straight year, the Virginia Tech baseball program will take part in “19 Ways”, a players-led campaign that will challenge the members of the team to find 19 events during the 2016-17 academic year that helps make a difference in the community.

“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 has said of the campaign. “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 third straight summer, the Hokies aren’t wasting any time with kicking off their campaign. The first “19 Ways” for the 2016-17 academic year starts this Sunday with the program supporting “Lemonade for Livy.” During an all-day baseball tournament on August 7 at English Field at Union Park, several players will be on hand to sell lemonade to raise money for Livy.

Livy’s Hope, an organization whose mission is to support children with medical needs and their families, created “Lemonade for Livy.” 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 English Field at Union Park this Sunday, a link has been created to donate online - CLICK HERE.

Eleven-year old Olivia Scheinman, who has had severe epilepsy since birth, inspired “Lemonade for Livy.” 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 seventh 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 Phil Sciretta, Tech’s Director of Baseball Operations, by phone: (540) 231-9976 or email: philrs16@vt.edu.

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