Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has committed $1 million to assist veterans in Norfolk, Richmond and Detroit.
The former Old Dominion University baseball standout said in a news release that his vision for the initiative, called Wins for Warriors, "is to help erase the stigma around veterans and their families that seek mental health services."
His donation will help fund two organizations that work with current and former military personnel: Give an Hour, which encourages civilian mental health professionals across the nation to provide free services to service members and families, and The Mission Continues, which awards community service fellowships to veterans to help them transition into post-military careers.
The effort will be concentrated
in Richmond, where Verlander grew up; in Norfolk, where he attended college; and in Detroit, where he currently lives.
"Those are my home bases," Verlander said during an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
This isn't his first effort to give back to veterans. For the past few years, he's invited wounded veterans to his luxury suite at the Detroit ballpark to watch games when he's the starting pitcher.
He wants to use Wins for Warriors to help on a larger scale.
"These men and women that serve for us overseas, when they come home, they're taught to be big and strong," Verlander said during the interview. "They need help sometimes."
Alisha Greenberg, director of Wins for Warriors, said the initiative's aim is to build awareness for programs that successfully help veterans and their families.
The donation going to Give an Hour will create two new positions - one in Detroit and the other for Norfolk and Richmond - to further coordinate mental health services. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of the organization, said in an email that Give an Hour has been working in Hampton Roads since 2010.
The Mission Continues will use Verlander's money to add three fellowships, one in each city. Meredith Knopp, vice president of programs, said in an email that the 26-week fellowships, which match veterans with local charities, will begin next year.
Wins for Warriors, which is part of the Detroit Tigers Foundation and affiliated with Ilitch Charities, has also launched an online fundraising campaign. Verlander will match donations during a five-week campaign.
"This is my small way to give back," Verlander told MSNBC. "I'm very fortunate to be here in this situation and playing the game that I love. I strongly believe I wouldn't be here if it weren't for these men and women."
Lauren King, 757-446-2309, lauren.king@pilotonline.com