Home Health Mallards, Urban League host vaccine clinic before Negro League tribute game

Mallards, Urban League host vaccine clinic before Negro League tribute game

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The Milwaukee Bears

In a continued effort to increase the vaccination rate, The Urban League of Greater Madison is teaming up with The Mallards and UnityPoint Health – Meriter to host a free vaccine clinic tonight at the Duck Pond on Madison’s north side on Thursday, July 22.

The Negro League Tribute Night and Vaccine Clinic was originally scheduled for July 7 but was postponed for two weeks because of inclement weather.

From 5:30-7 p.m., anyone 12 years old and above is welcome outside the Mallards stadium to get the shot before the game and as a bonus will receive a free Great Dane Duck Blind GA Soda Ticket, or upgrade the ticket to include beer for $9.  

All other tickers are $10.

The Thursday evening game, which starts at 6:35 p.m. will be a tribute to the Milwaukee Bears, which played for just one season in 1923. The Mallards players will wear the specialty Milwaukee Bears uniforms to pay homage to the team that was Milwaukee’s franchise in the Negro National League, which is considered the first of the “major” Negro leagues. The first 1,000 fans will receive custom licensed Negro League baseball cards featuring five legends of the game.

“I’m bringing my grandson, and my son and my daughter because I want them to understand the importance of getting the vaccine and understand the history of the Negro League,” Urban League President and CEO Dr. Ruben Anthony told Madison365. 

Anthony said that the Urban League has been helping people get the vaccine since it became available. They have hosted six clinics at their office on South Park Street and have partnerships with area hospitals that have resulted in hundreds of people getting vaccinated. 

He said at the last clinic held at the Urban League 97 people got vaccinated, and the one before that 75 people, even in a time when vaccination rates are decreasing. 

“We need to convince people from the BIPOC community to come out and get the vaccine,” he said. “There probably has been more hesitancy in the Black and Latino communities than others. We need to add an incentive and having the Mallards focus on the Negro League Tribute and having it be a special night is important. It is a great opportunity for the community to have some fun and to have your life and protect the community.”

A portion of the proceeds from the night’s game will be donated to the Urban League. Both the Pfizer and the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be available.