It was the inaugural season at SunTrust Park but it was the seventh year of Gas South's Bring the Heat campaign. Braves pitchers threw their way to raise $30,000 for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta and Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta.

Again this year, Gas South donated $25 each time a Braves pitcher struck out an opponent and this season, Braves pitchers threw more than 1,000 strikeouts – resulting in $30,000 raised for the three nonprofits.

"The YMCA, United Way and Salvation Army are making huge strides to make a difference in children's lives," said Kevin Greiner, Gas South president and CEO. "We're proud to team up with the Atlanta Braves to support the organizations who are being a fuel for good in our communities.

The donation to the Salvation Army will be distributed across many services and programs including the Financial Emergency Service Centers which help people who are facing personal and financial crises; the emergency housing/shelter programs which provide emergency and transitional housing to homeless men, women, and families; and food pantries.

"The Salvation Army is dedicated to doing the most good for those in need in our communities," said Major Bob Parker, Commander of the Metro Atlanta Area Salvation Army. "Last year, The Salvation Army provided nearly 160,000 meals, more than 145,000 nights of shelter for individuals and families, and helped more than 3,500 families with their utilities. Through this generous donation, Gas South will help us to continue this work – we are truly grateful for their support."

The donation will also allow the YMCA to expand youth sports scholarships at YMCAs throughout metro Atlanta.

"Through Y youth sports, kids stay healthy and active while learning valuable life lessons that shape their future," said Lauren Koontz, YMCA of Metro Atlanta EVP & chief philanthropy officer. "Each year, the Y serves more than 30,000 children in our community through youth sports, and support from partners like Gas South ensure more kids have access to these life-changing experiences regardless of financial ability. Gas South's support is giving more kids the opportunity to have fun, learn sportsmanship and team work, and make lifelong friends at the Y."

United Way of Greater Atlanta is the third nonprofit to receive a Bring the Heat donation. The organization will be allocating the funds to their Child Well-Being Impact Fund.

"Nearly 500,000 youth across the Greater Atlanta region live in low well-being neighborhoods – with some of the highest rates of poverty and lowest rates of economic mobility of any region in the country," said Milton J. Little, Jr., United Way of Greater Atlanta CEO. "Gas South's investment in our Child Well-Being Impact Fund will help us reach our substantial ten-year goal of improving the overall well-being of 250,000 children across the Greater Atlanta region by supporting strategies focused on prevention, healing and rebuilding and strengthening communities."

Greiner and Carley Stephens, Gas South senior community affairs coordinator, presented the donation checks to Keith Barsuhn of United Way, Russ Davis of YMCA and Lieutenant Jose Valentin of The Salvation Army at the Atlanta Braves game on September 22.

Gas South, the official natural gas provider of SunTrust Park and sponsor of the Atlanta Braves, has contributed more than $380,000 to local nonprofit organizations since the Bring the Heat campaign's inception in 2010.