In 2011, there was not a dry eye among Spokane Indians baseball fans when Sergeant Chris Welchman stepped out of the dugout on game night to surprise his wife and three children by returning from Afghanistan after a five-month tour of duty.
That night, the seed was planted for a fund that could support local nonprofits and community organizations serving the needs of veterans and active military families in the region. With support from STCU, KHQ Television and The Spokesman-Review, the Spokane Indians baseball team partnered with us earlier this year to launch the Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund as an extension of the team’s Operation Fly Together campaign to improve the lives of local veterans and active military families.
The local baseball team has been elevating veterans’ needs for years through a historic agreement between the Spokane Indians team and Team Fairchild. The Operation Fly Together campaign raises funds and awareness for veteran needs through donations of merchandise sales, educational campaigns, and year-round celebrations and ceremonies to honor veterans.
An essential component of this campaign, the Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund will bring greater awareness and critical support to our servicemen and women, active or retired. With Veterans Day approaching, we invite you to join us in honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and active military families who call the Inland Northwest home.
Checks can be mailed to: Innovia Foundation 421 W. Riverside Ave, Suite 606 Spokane, WA 99201. Please indicate Operation Fly Together Veterans Fund in the memo line.
