Before the first pitch, a winner had already been determined.
That winner was the Wounded Warrior Project.
When Sunlake and Zephyrhills softball teams met last week, there was more than winning on the line. Proceeds from the game, including food sales benefited Wounded Warrior, a non-profit organization that helps injured service members and their families.
But the game was held to raise more than money. The goal was to raise awareness.
““I don’t want them to forget about the guys and the girls over there fighting for this country, fighting for what they believe in,” Sunlake softball coach Denise Garcia said.
Garcia tears up when she talks about one wounded warrior in particular, her son Sgt. Anthony Michael Garcia. He was injured during his first deployment to Afghanistan and is back over there again for his second tour of duty.
That’s why she and her husband Nelson, who also coaches the Sunlake team, decided to dedicate the game to those that risk their lives to ensure our freedom.
“They have a mission to do. They have their job that they’re doing. They’re focused on what they’re doing,” Nelson Garcia said. “The hard part is actually the families back home. Because you don’t know what’s going on over there. We know the conditions are bad and we know they are in harm’s way.”
Click on the video to see Sunlake and Zephryhills giving back. And to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, log onto www.woundedwarriorproject.org.