VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - On Veterans Day weekend, a local baseball academy opened its doors to help local veterans receive the best care possible for their mental health.
Saturday, D-BAT Virginia Beach hosted a Hit-A-Thon where volunteer teams could come and hit some baseballs to raise money for Jones and Cabacoy Veterans Care Center on Nimmo Parkway.
The veteran-only nursing facility provides short and long-term care to more than 120 veterans.
D-BAT owner Craig Colucci set a $45,000 fundraising goal, collecting 6,400 hits throughout the day — the estimated number of veteran suicides each year.
Despite the seriousness of the cause, it was all smiles inside D-BAT.
News 3 fielded a team of volunteers that included anchors Kurt Williams, Anthony Sabella and Conor Hollingsworth, along with meteorologist April Loveland, reporter Colter Anstaett and photojournalist Ian Teasley with Operations Manager Kevin Rafferty pitching.
The WTKR team — with help from young Kempsville-area baseball players — managed to hit more than 2,100 balls in an hour, raising more than $500.
“It’s almost so many people that want to help that we can’t even keep up," said Patrick Shuler, Adminstrator for Jones and Cabacoy. "Coming in here and seeing all these people that are excited to support us and help fund what residents are needing is pretty special.”
During the Hit-A-Thon, Colucci — who already donated $10,000 to the center — had another surprise.
“I’m giving another [$10,000] now," he told Shuler.
As News 3 previously reported, Ross Windfield of Frieden Agency and Frieden Wealth Management also donated $10,000 towards the effort.
Colucci tells News 3 he's already planning another fundraiser next year — with a $100,000 goal.
Shuler says the money raised Saturday will go to numerous programs at Jones and Cabacoy, including the creation of a sensory room.
