Media Release
MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – Berry College’s men’s lacrosse team hosted the inaugural “Faceoff For a Cause” on Saturday, October 24 at Valhalla. The event raised $6,625.04 for the nonprofit organization Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
The amount raised was just shy of the lofty goal of $10,000, but a success nonetheless considering it was the first year. Berry College men’s lacrosse has already announced they will be hosting the event again in the Fall of 2016, and hope to exceed this year’s amount.
“It really was a terrific day of lacrosse and charity,” said Berry College Lacrosse Head Coach Curtis Gilbert. “It is the least we can do to show our gratitude for the men and women of this country that provide us the freedom to live our everyday lives. It’s our responsibility to take care of them when they return, and what a better way to raise funds and awareness than by playing the game we love.”
Joining in the day of Lacrosse and Charity were the men’s lacrosse programs from Emmanuel College, North Greenville University, Reinhardt University, Shorter University, and Young-Harris College. Along with host Berry College, they helped raise money and awareness for our nation’s injured servicemen and women.
The event included scrimmages between the six teams and a mid-day Wounded Warrior address. More than 500 people attended the event with all gate proceeds donated to WWP. These gate proceeds, coupled with the online donations totaled $1,872.86. Additional funds were raised by the respective Lacrosse programs through t-shirt sales and accounted for an additional donation of $2,425. Additionally, Aramark Dining Services graciously fed all Student-Athletes in attendance in the Berry College Dining Hall for free.
Lastly, the officials for the day’s event donated their appearance fees to WWP with a total donation of $2,327.18.
“The amount donated on behalf of our officiating crew was incredible, and accounted for almost a third of the total amount raised,” said Gilbert. “We could not have had the success we did without their support, and I would like to thank them for all their work in making it a wonderful event.”
About Wounded Warrior Project®
Over 50,000 servicemen and women have been injured in the recent military conflicts. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment.
WWP’s 20 programs and services are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement.
Wounded Warrior Project recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary, reflecting on a decade of service and reaffirming its commitment to serve injured veterans for their lifetime. The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP currently serves more than 56,000 warriors and 7,500 family members through its unique 20 programs and services. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
