Operation Minnesota Heroes Month Tips Off
Military Night and 'Give Thanks' Dinner Highlight Events
Minneapolis/St. Paul The Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation's Operation Minnesota Heroes Month, presented by the Roger and Nancy McCabe Foundation and POPP Communications, tipped off last Friday during the Wolves/Oklahoma City game and began a month-long focus on honoring, serving and recognizing Minnesota's troops and military veterans through in-game elements, special events and grants.
At each home game in November, the FastBreak Foundation will honor soldiers for their service as Heroes in the Making. Each Hero in the Making will receive a Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund Grant. Throughout the month, the Foundation will also honor Gold Star Families a family that has lost a loved one while in active duty in the Armed Forces.
Foundation will present two $5,000 grants to organizations that support Minnesota military troops and their families. Rebuilding Together Twin Cities and BFW Charities are the November grant recipients. Rebuilding Together brings volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners, particularly older adults, individuals living with disabilities, families with children and active and retired members of the armed services. BFW Charities provides medical grants to veterans through its Veteran Pain Management Program. Its 2013 Helping 100 Vets in 100 Days hopes to change the lives of 100 military veterans in Minnesota by providing free treatment of service-connected disabilities.
Military Night takes place on Wed., Nov. 13, when the Wolves host Cleveland (7 p.m. tip). The night is highlighted by a military color guard and the recognition of all current and previous members of every branch of the military. The Foundation is donating 4,000 tickets to the game to military troops and their families.
On Sun., Nov. 17, several Timberwolves players will host 150 local Purple Heart recipients, returning troops and veterans and their family members for the Foundation's annual "Give Thanks" event at SEVEN Steakhouse restaurant in Minneapolis. The Wolves players will serve a Thanksgiving-style meal to their special guests.
About the FastBreak Foundation
The Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation provides and supports hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Through giving, education and basketball opportunities, the Foundation enables young people to make responsible decisions, contribute to their futures, and experience lifelong memories. In the past year, the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and the Minnesota Lynx Foundation have combined to impact 2,146 organizations with $842,790 in in-kind donations, 20,000 Tickets for Kids donations, 3,107 volunteer hours, 53 community members honored on-court, and 15 grants distributed.
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