Chicago Cubs Charities today announced a $20,000 contribution to community projects in the Dominican Republic through the Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance (MLB-DDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The contribution will be matched by USAID and the $40,000 total will support the expansion of a surgical recovery room in Santiago, Dominican Republic and additional educational initiatives with details to be announced at a later date.

Representatives from Chicago Cubs Charities and MLB-DDA along with Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Juan Marichal, Sean Marshall, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Marmol participated in a ceremony today at the Cubs Dominican Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic to announce the contribution.

“Chicago Cubs Charities is proud to support the Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance to help in its work to improve the lives of children and families in the Dominican Republic,” said Mike Lufrano, senior vice president of community affairs.

The donation was made in connection with funds raised at the Second Annual Rooters Ball which took place at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse on September 2.

Geovany Soto hosted the ball and was joined by West Side Rooters’ Chairman Ernie Banks and several players, including Derrek Lee, Carlos Marmol, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Randy Wells.

The original West Side Rooters Social Club, with Cubs shortshop Joe Tinker as Chairman, was the first official fan club of the Chicago Cubs.

The MLB-DDA was founded in November of 2008 to tap the potential combined resources of baseball (teams, players, fans, corporate sponsors) in community outreach programs in the Dominican Republic, a country which currently produces more than 20 percent of all signed MLB players.

USAID provides financial support through a matching grant incentive fund. MLB provides office and staff support and six community development organizations (Esperanza, Plan, World Vision, Save the Children, IDDI, and Batey Relief Alliance) provide technical assistance and project management.