ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville is home to a large community of veterans, but many are in need of support. Yesterday, Asheville Tourists fans enacted “Operation Packs for Patriots,” a volunteer event where participants assembled care packages on behalf of local veteran nonprofits.

“Packs for Patriots” was held on Wednesday, June 3 at the Best Buy Metals Pavilion inside of HomeTrust Park, the Tourists baseball stadium. The event was co-sponsored by Southeastern Tile Connection and Best Buy Metals in support of the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry and Veterans Services of the Carolinas.

As the Tourists battled the Greensboro Grasshoppers to a 16-15 win, volunteers gathered for a meal, networking and backpack building.

To participate, volunteers carried new, empty backpacks into the game. On the BBM Pavilion, guests could enjoy a complimentary dinner while loading the backpacks up with supplies and essential items. The care packages will be issued directly to veterans by the nonprofits.

The hope for the event is that veterans entering support programs with limited resources and few possessions will be given a launchpad through the care packages.

“The true measure of a community isn’t what it builds for itself. It’s what it builds for those who once stood in service of others,” said event organizer Tammy Potter. “Metal may be what we manufacture, but community is what we build. That’s why Best Buy Metals proudly joined forces with Southeastern Tile Connection for Operation Packs for Patriots. Because serving those who served us will always be a project worth leaning into.”

What brought Asheville Tourists fans to the veteran event?

Before the game began at 6:35 p.m., fans were already walking up to the stadium, backpacks in hand.

“We heard about the Packs for Patriots from our friends at Southeastern Tile Connection and Best Buy Metals, and wanted to take part in an awesome way to serve the community and see some baseball,” said Lacy Hornbeck, community engagement coordinator with Food Connection, a local food access nonprofit.

Jason Chambers, another backpack-toting Tourists fan, explained that he had personal connections to many veterans, and saw Packs for Patriots as another way to show his appreciation to them.

“I serve a couple of times at the Veterans Restoration Quarters, and her brother is a veteran,” Chambers said, gesturing to his companion. “
I’ve got tons of friends and family who are veteran, so, yeah, just really trying to support them.”

The Veterans Restoration Quarters are a branch of the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, one of the nonprofit beneficiaries of the event.

For more information about supporting local veterans, visit www.abccm-vsc.org.