DENVER (AP) — New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey is the winner of the 2012 Branch Rickey Award in recognition of his work distributing baseball equipment and medical supplies in Central and South America.

Created by the Rotary Club of Denver, the Branch Rickey Award honors individuals in baseball who contribute to their communities and are strong role models for young people.

Each year, major league teams nominate a player, coach or executive, either active or retired, for the award, which is named in honor of the late baseball executive known for breaking baseball's color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson.

Dickey co-founded a charity that distributes baseball equipment and medical supplies around the world. In January, he helped raise money for an organization that rescues young women from forced prostitution in India.