The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – June 16, 2014 – There is one special day each year where a patriotic display of America’s pastime takes place inside Oil City Stadium. The Northwest Indiana Oilmen have announced that the Veterans Benefit Game on July 1 will raise funds for Northwest Indiana Habitat for Humanity’s “Veterans Build Project.”

The Veterans Benefit Game is presented by Hoosier Daddy Barbecue Sauce and will allow the Oilmen to show their support for all veterans of the United States armed forces. Sixty percent of all ticket sales from the game will benefit the “Veterans Build Project,” which is a joint effort between Habitat for Humanity and the Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council to build homes for veterans in need.

The Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council is a committee that seeks to coordinate services provided to active service members and veterans and to promote awareness of new initiative on their behalf. The organization is committed to helping veterans find educational opportunities, job opportunities and recognition of employers.

“This is a wonderful event and we’re happy that we came into communication with Oilmen President Don Popravak,” NWI Veterans Action Council Chairman Michael Sparber said. “This is a tremendous outreach to the veterans’ community to show that the Oilmen have their hearts in the right place by helping veterans.”   

 The Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana seeks to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. The organization has been helping build homes since July 1986.  This is the first time ever that Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana has partnered with the NWI Veterans Action Council for what both organizations hope will become an annual veterans’ build.

“It’s exciting for us because we have the chance to help someone who served our country,” Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Executive Director Dan Klein said. “It’s a great event at a great stadium. Everybody loves the baseball, mom and apple pie kind of thing. It’s a great time to take your family to an event where you not only get to support veterans, but you’re helping give back to those who have served.”

The July 1 game is sure to be a special one as the Oilmen take the field in support of this great cause. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

“I think it takes a community to remember the veterans,” Sparber said. “There are approximately 37,000 veterans here in Lake County alone from World War II through our veterans coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq. What we can do is bring awareness of what people in the community are doing.” 

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s “Veterans Build Project,” visit www.nwihabitat.org. For more information on the NWI Veterans Action Council, log-on to www.nwiveterans.com. To purchase tickets and help show your support for the “Veterans Build Project,” visit www.nwioilmen.com.