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Published On: January 27th, 2014

Talons Out

The Kalamazoo Growlers are excited to announce a new fundraising collaboration with local non-profit organization Talons Out Honor Flight.

Talons Out will be selling 200+ tickets for the Growlers’ July 17 Military Appreciation Night.$5 from every ticket sold by the organization will go toward providing honoring American War Veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to see their Memorial in Washington D.C.

“It’s so exciting to have baseball back in Kalamazoo! We’re happy to partner with the Kalamazoo Growlers this year. Not only do we get to honor all of our Veterans on July 17, but we’re so thrilled to feature our area’s World War II Vets and our mission to honor them,” said Talons Out Honor Flight President Bobbie Bradley.

Donations and fundraising dollars are distributed the following ways:

  • $25 provides lunch and dinner
  • $50 provides lunch, dinner, honor flight polo
  • $100 provides lunch, dinner, polo, and keep sake photo book of Veterans trip
  • $500 sponsors entire trip (you receive 8×10 photo and bio of Veteran you have sponsored)

The organization is focusing on veterans of World War II and terminally ill veterans that served a tour of duty in any war. Veterans interested in taking an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with Talons Out need to fill out the application here. Talons Out and the Kalamazoo Growlers want to do their part to assure that every Veteran that applies for the trip is able to go.

Assistant General Manager Shane Stout said, “Military Veterans hold a very special place in the Growlers Family. We are privileged to work with such a unique and amazing cause in Talons Out Honor Flight. Without the sacrifice of our military men and women we would not be able to have the freedom to play the sport of baseball, America’s pastime. To this we are dedicated to helping our Veterans and current serving military personnel.”

People are also encouraged donate directly to the Talons Out Honor Flight organization. Those interested in donating extra funds can do so by calling the organization directly at 269.719.6931.

About Talons Out Honor Flight: Talons Out is a volunteer non-profit organization with the goal to fly World War II Veterans to Washington, D.C. at no cost to the Veterans. Talons Out is the Southwest Michigan hub of the national Honor Flight Veterans. Learn more at http://talonsouthonorflight.org.

The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.growlersbaseball.com.