USAA Takes Mound for Strikeouts For Troops

USAA to contribute $500 for every MLB strikeout on 9/11 to Barry Zito’s
Strikeouts For TroopsTM

USAA, a Fortune 200 company providing financial services to the military and their families, is joining major league pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants on September 11 to raise funds to support war-wounded veterans through Zito’s Strikeouts For TroopsTM, a national nonprofit organization. It is the second year USAA and Strikeouts For Troops have joined together on Patriot Day. Zito’s personal pledge of $500 per strikeout will be matched by USAA for all strikeouts thrown across all of Major League Baseball on September 11.

“My family and I started Strikeouts For Troops to help our wounded service members with some comforts of home while they recover in military hospitals often far away from their loved ones," Zito said. “I am honored that the support from USAA on September 11, Patriot Day, will make such a significant difference in the lives of so many families in need. I am equally grateful to my fellow professional baseball players who have joined in this effort all season long to recognize and help our brave troops who represent our country with honor while fighting for our freedom."

Zito sees the impact of Strikeouts For Troops firsthand when he receives letters from service members like Staff Sgt Christopher Hill who wrote:

“When you meet people such as Barry who genuinely care for those who stand a post every day in defense of this nation, it’s like watching a single rose growing in the middle of a battlefield,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Hill, a veteran of five combat tours and more than 20 years in the Marine Corps. “Thank you for being there for me. Because of you, I have reignited my passion for baseball and the will to go forward and know that the United States Marines has your back.”

USAA has continually served the military and their families for more than 85 years.
"Assisting programs like Strikeouts for Troops is one way USAA can show its appreciation and respect for the sacrifices our nations’ military and their families have made on behalf of all Americans,” explained retired Rear Admiral John Townes, senior vice president for USAA military Affairs.

A growing number of all-stars throughout professional baseball are joining Strikeouts For Troops, and are making donations that make a difference in the lives of war-wounded veterans.

“Strikeouts For Troops is simply about Americans helping our fellow Americans in need,” Zito said. “I never want an American service member to think that his or her sacrifice goes unnoticed or unappreciated. The real heroes in our country are the women and men in uniform who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and free."

About USAA
USAA, a diversified financial services company, is the leading provider of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. Named by BusinessWeek as No. 1 Customer Service Champ in 2007 and 2008, USAA provides highly competitive financial products to its 6.4 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit usaa.com.

About Strikeouts For Troops™
Strikeouts For Troops is a national nonprofit dedicated to help our U.S. war wounded service members and their families with "comforts of home" during periods of treatment at military hospitals nationwide. Strikeouts For Troops was introduced on April 5, 2005 by current San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito following a visit with soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

With the support of over 50 professional baseball players including CC Sabathia (Milwaukee Brewers), Jake Peavy (San Diego Padres), Nick Swisher (Chicago White Sox), Alex Rodriguez ( New York Yankees), Curt Schilling ( Boston Red Sox), Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals) and Manny Ramirez (Los Angeles Dodgers), special events, fan support and corporate partnerships, Strikeouts For Troops has raised over $1 million with 100% of the funds raised being distributed to those in need. Strikeouts For Troops is a 501( c )(3) donor advised fund based at the Community Foundation For The National Capital Region.