O’Fallon baseball team raises money for charities

T-Shirts are sold at a concession stand in honor of Armed Forces Day April 20, 2013 in O’Fallon, Ill. Team members of the O’Fallon Township High School varsity baseball team raised money for the Wounded Warriors Project and Hope for Heroes by selling t-shirts and lunch platters. The team also wore desert camouflage jerseys during the baseball game. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kristina Forst)

O’Fallon baseball team raises money for charities

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Course members from the O’Fallon Township High School stand at parade rest before going out onto the field during a baseball game in honor of Armed Forces Day April 20, 2013 in O’Fallon, Ill. The JROTC members had the honor of posting the colors at the start of the game. The varsity baseball team wore desert camouflage jerseys while they played the game and raised money for the Wounded Warriors Project and Hope for Heroes by selling t-shirts and lunch platters at the concession stand. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kristina Forst)

O’Fallon baseball team raises money for charities

The O’Fallon Township High School Panthers play a game in honor of Armed Forces Day April 20, 2013 in O’Fallon, Ill. The team raised money during the game by selling t-shirts and lunch platters at a concession stand. All of the proceeds went towards the Wounded Warriors Project and Hope for Heroes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Kristina Forst)

O’Fallon baseball team raises money for charities

Published April 24, 2013
By Airman Kristina Forst
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The O'Fallon Township High School varsity baseball team and Junior ROTC members hosted an Armed Forces Day themed game Saturday to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project and Hope for Heroes.

"I think we need to acknowledge our military personnel," said Joe Bauer, assistant coach and United States history teacher. "Our veterans and their sacrifices kind of just get forgotten about."

Army Sgt. Charles Shaffer, a wounded warrior, started the game by throwing the first pitch. One of the fathers on the team had purchased desert camouflage jerseys for the team members to wear for the occasion. Parents at concession stands sold lunch platters and Armed Forces Day themed T-shirts as well. The proceeds were donated to the Wounded Warriors Project and Hope for Heroes.

With the team being close to Scott Air Force Base and many of the students having parents who are in the military, they wanted to give back by raising money for a charity that will help out military veterans. Many of the students on the team have aspirations to join the military themselves after graduating high school.

"Hopefully we can raise a lot of money to help these veterans," said Bauer.