By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Mike Myers

Pitchers and Patriots held its first fundraising event on August 21 at Haven in the Pines. Pictured left to right: Mike & Dawn Timlin, Karen Waldrup, Jennifer Collins, Mark McGinnis, Natasha Verma, and Robyn & Mike Myers.

Mike Myers, The Village at Castle Pines resident and former 14-year MLB left-handed pitcher, was golfing with his friend Don Beck on a Thursday morning in August 2019 at The Country Club at Castle Pines. Beck made a comment about how lucky they were to be able to play golf on a beautiful day and at a great course. Without thinking, Myers immediately replied, “There are a lot of people that gave their lives so that we can have the luxury to do this.” Myers stopped in his tracks and thought, “I know what I have to do. I am going to start a foundation to raise dollars for military charities.”

Myers recollected, “I interviewed a few different charities that focus their attention on assisting families of fallen soldiers and that give help to those returning soldiers that deal with PTSD. I landed on two charities that give over 80% of all proceeds to their programs and fit the criteria – the SEAL Legacy Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.”

More than $200,000 was raised for the SEAL Legacy Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project on August 21. A number of former Colorado Rockies players were in attendance. Pictured left (left to right): Former Rockie Garrett Atkins, former Rockie Clint Barmes, former Rockie Jason Hirsh, Mike Myers, Goose Gossage and Mike Timlin.

Myers and his wife, Robyn, went on to found Pitchers and Patriots: Honoring The Brave, a nonprofit organization that benefits the families of fallen soldiers. More than 95% of all proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project and SEAL Legacy Foundation. Friend Mike Timlin, resident of Hidden Pointe and also a former pitcher, jumped in to help. The Myerses, Timlins and Beck along with the MLB Alumni Association hosted their first event at Haven in the Pines on August 21.

The sold-out event featured country singer Karen Waldrup from Nashville, emcee Natasha Verma from Channel 9 and guest speaker Commander Mark McGinnis. Waldrup performed a beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and later held a private concert for VIP sponsors. McGinnis, a former Navy SEAL, started the SEAL Legacy Foundation soon after his military career. The other speaker of the night was Jennifer Collins who shared that she had lost her husband to a battle with PTSD and how the SEAL Legacy Foundation stepped in to help her after her husband took his life.

With more than 150 people in attendance, Pitchers and Patriots raised over $200,000. A number of former Colorado Rockies players were in attendance along with Hall of Fame pitcher and Colorado Springs native, Goose Gossage. The event included a cocktail party with live and silent auction items. Some key items that raised a large dollar amount were a tour of the Navy SEAL training facility in California, a wine experience tour in Napa California and a hunting trip with four-time World Series champion Mike Timlin.

Myers concluded, “Next year’s event will be August 20, 2022. We plan on doing the event annually. Our goal is to improve the event every year and have Pitchers and Patriots: Honoring The Brave become an event that nobody will want to miss.”