On Monday, April 21, 2014, the Morrison Mustangs and Fulton Steamers will be be competing in a double-header baseball competition, but more importantly, they will make the night a tribute to wounded soldiers. Varsity games will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Drives Complex, Fulton, IL.
Through cooperation with Country Companies Insurance, all players will be wearing camouflaged baseball jerseys, with Morrison uniforms carrying USA above the back number and the Fulton uniform reading FREEDOM.
Prior to the Three Rivers Conference games, they will be organizing raffles and fund-raising activities to raise money to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP.)
The evening will be kicked off with the presenting of the Colors by the American Legion. Fundraising activities (a 50/50, raffles, bake sale, etc.) will be on-going through the first game. Winners will be presented between the games, at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Morrison Baseball Coach Ben Sondgeroth has a cousin who returned injured from Afghanistan and has benefitted greatly by the efforts of the WWP. Sondgeroth has the total commitment from Fulton Coach Kyle Miller, in this first-time fundraiser.
Coach Sondgeroth remarked that the players were excited “to make this night more than just a baseball game.”
Both coaches have every intention to make this an annul affair and use the opportunity to show the youth the importance of “giving back” to those who sacrificed to protect their freedoms.
- The public is offered a chance to sponsor a jersey for $30. Donors will be recognized in a game program listing their sponsorship next to the name of the player wearing that jersey.
- Individual donations are welcome and can be made by contacting any of the coaches or players of either team.
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) began when several veterans and friends–moved by stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq–took action to help others in need. It started as a desire to provide comfort items to wounded service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. WWP has grown into a holistic rehabilitative effort, to assist warriors with visible and invisible wounds as they recover and transition back to civilian life. Tens of thousands of wounded service members, family members, and caregivers receive support each year through WWP programs.
The players and coaches of Morrison and Fulton ask the communities to join them in recognizing the young men and women serving our Country, by donating to this special night of baseball on Monday, April 21. All proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Programs.
If questions, contact Ben Sondgeroth at 815-772-2064 or Kyle Miller at 815-589-3511.