Deacon Student-Athletes Preparing to Visit Purple Heart Recipients
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Nov. 15, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Three members of the Wake Forest University baseball team are spearheading an effort to visit with Purple Heart recipients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. on Dec. 3.
Senior Charlie Mellies (Clifton, Va.), junior Brad Kledzik (Fairfax Station, Va.), and junior Weldon Woodall (Highland Park, TX) are putting together care packages for the soldiers. The packages are filled with numerous items donated from various Wake Forest teams and local businesses. Among the items included in the package are video games, magazines, hats, t-shirts, shorts and toiletry items.
Traveling to Washington, D.C. with the three baseball players are women's tennis senior Alexandra Hirsch (Atlanta, Ga.) and junior Nicki Rembielak (Tallmadge, Ohio), a member of the Wake Forest cheerleading squad.
The Wake Forest student-athletes presented the idea in a recent Student Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) meeting to their fellow Demon Deacons. With permission from the athletic department, the student-athletes contacted Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Within a few short days, the student-athletes were granted permission to visit with the servicemen. The effort was assisted by two congressmen, Wake Forest alum, Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). With their help, the student-athletes will be able to present the items on behalf of the Wake Forest Athletic Department, Wake Forest University student body and the Winston-Salem community. Both members of Congress are making special arraignments to meet with the group on Capitol Hill after the delivery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
On Saturday, November 17th, at the Wake Forest-North Carolina State football game, these student-athletes will be trying to raise funds for the recipients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The goal is to present these soldiers with gift cards to restaurants and grocery stores to help defer some costs for not only themselves, but also for their families. Any help from the community is greatly appreciated. Student-athletes will host donation tables located beside the Guest Information Booth at section 5 and section 14.
If there are any questions, or you are looking for a way to help, please contact Fred Worth in the baseball office at 758-7418, or 408-7723.
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