Operation Hawkeye: Strike Force Starts 2017 Campaign
February 21, 2017
By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor
Operation Hawkeye: Strike Force is underway with its 2017 campaign and challenging teams across the country to help the children and families of fallen special operations soldiers. The charitable organization was founded by Will Thomas, who is now a senior right-hander at Gonzaga College Prep, DC. He was inspired to help after the tragic loss of Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter on a mission in Afghanistan in August 2011.
The Strike Force Program has three elements, according to a release. First, there will be a nationwide high school competition called Runs For Warriors. It will take place in April 2017 and varsity baseball teams can leverage runs scored during the month to raise funds for Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The participating teams will earn a chance to win one of three prized packages valued at more than $15,000 each, including pitching machines, radar guns, apparel and other equipment donated by prominent baseball companies.
Secondly, there will be a college program through which varsity and club teams can leverage runs, hits, strikeouts or home runs during a designated game, games or other events to raise funds through Veterans Day. Lastly, travel organizations will be able to participate in the same program as the colleges.
“Our program is designed to accomplish two main goals,” Thomas said. “First, we hope it helps raise awareness of the sacrifices being made by our special operations warriors and their loved ones. Second, the program provides interested high school, college and travel teams, including coaches, players, families and fans, with an impactful way to honor that sacrifice and support the children and families of the fallen through the sport of baseball.”
In addition to baseball teams, the campaign has support from leading enterprises committed to the cause, referred to as “Multipliers.” Outreach is still underway, but several companies have already joined the movement including Ball Fabrics, Baseball America, CamelBak, Collins Company, Combat Flip Flops, Diamond Kinetics, Easton, Jaeger Sports, JUGS Sports, Marucci Sports, OT Sports, Pelican Bat Wax, Prep Baseball Report, Sports Attack, SWING IQ (Majestic Athletics), Tanner Tees and Tucci Lumber.
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Will Thomas can be reached at [email protected].