May 21, 2009

Texas A&M International University's Spring Sports donation drive for Operation Homefront of Texas has come to a successful conclusion. Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting enlisted military families in times of dire financial crisis.

A total of 67 $10 Wal Mart gift cards and more than 70 DVDs will be turned over to the charity on Friday. The donation drive received strong support from the campus community and from Dustdevil baseball and softball fans and families as well.

The Wal Mart Super Center on Bob Bullock Loop provided two raffle prizes for the donation drive. Both prizes were won by campus supporters of the drive, Teresa Chapa-Cantu and Dr. William Riggs.

Sports Information Director Dan Lathey says TAMIU Athletics has made a strong statement with its support of military-related causes for the 2008-09 academic year.

"We did well with a Wounded Warrior Project raffle in the fall and continued that momentum with strong support for the Operation Homefront benefit this spring," Lathey said.

"We are setting an example that other Heartland Conference institutions and NCAA Division II schools will want to follow. That example is that it is important to keep our soldiers and their families in our hearts and minds during this time of war."