The Bridgeport Regional Business Council named the Bridgeport Bluefish as the 2008 BRBC Business of the Year. Through the BRBC’s partnership with Lamar Outdoor Advertising, the Bluefish receive one year of outdoor advertising.

According to a press release, the Bridgeport Bluefish make every effort to hire locally, purchase goods and services in the region and partner with schools and non-profits to help them in their fundraising or program efforts. Managers, coaches and players read at local libraries, visit hospitals, and attend neighborhood events and parades.

In 2007, the Bluefish enrolled over 27,000 children in its reading program. The team’s fundraising program has raised well over $1,000,000 for regional non-profit agencies, school programs, religious institutions and athletic organizations.

“We are very pleased to have won this award because it shows our commitment to ongoing, outstanding effort in the community,” said Bluefish general manager Todd Marlin said in a statement. “Our community involvement is something we take pride in and I know that we will continue to reach out in our Bridgeport community and the greater Bridgeport region.”

In 2008, the Bluefish have already enrolled thousands of children in this year’s reading program. The team’s fundraising program has raised almost $85,000 over the first month of the season and has quadrupled the amount of community appearances as they work to become an even larger part of the community.

“The Bridgeport region has many businesses that contribute endless hours of community service to our region,” Mary-Jane Foster, CEO of the Bluefish said. “We are proud to be one of the many businesses that give back to the community and especially proud to have been chosen as the recipient of this award because it is a reflection of our mission. “