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CINCINNATI BENGALS KICKER SHAYNE GRAHAM JOINS WITH STRIKEOUTS FOR TROOPS TO HELP AMERICA ’S WOUNDED SOLDIERS BECOMES FIRST NFL PLAYER TO TEAM UP
San Francisco, CA (August 29, 2008) – Strikeouts for Troops, a three-year old national non profit founded by San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito to assist America’s war-wounded with ‘comforts of home’, has now extended into football with addition of its first NFL player, Shayne Graham, placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 30 year old Graham read about Strikeouts for Troops and reached out to Zito to participate in the program to help our injured soldiers and their families in need. Graham has pledged to donate $300 per field goal made during the 2008 season.
“I have the utmost respect for what our American men and women do to protect our freedom and feel it is a great way to honor their efforts by supporting those who need help when they come home with injuries,” explained Graham. “As the proud son of a Vietnam veteran, I have tremendous appreciation for what military families go through.”
Since the program’s inception, Strikeouts For Troops has raised over $1 million dollars from contributions by over 60 MLB players, as well as fundraising events, and fan donations. One-hundred percent of the money raised is distributed to wounded soldiers and their families while they endure their long and often painful rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington , D.C; Bethesda Naval Hospital in Baltimore , Maryland ; Brooke Army in Sam Houston, Texas; Navy Medical in San Diego , California ; and other military hospitals.
“What an honor it is to have a man like Shayne Graham team with us in our effort to help our wounded soldiers and their families. He comes from a military family and has a personal understanding of what our brave men and women deal with. Not only is he the most accurate place kicker in the NFL but he has a heart for others,” said Barry Zito.
In addition to the assistance provided in the form of daily necessities, travel and lodging to keep loved one close, and special needs adaptive equipment, contributions also have funded holiday dinners at military hospitals, bought Christmas gifts for military children, and have helped support a family center where kids can stay while their parents tend to their medical needs.
“Strikeouts For Troops is simply about Americans helping our fellow Americans in need,” Zito said. “I never want an American soldier to think that his or her sacrifice goes unnoticed or unappreciated. The real heroes in our country are the women and men in uniform who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis to keep us safe and free.”