Benefit luncheons in Military Appreciation Week to feature MLB pitchers from this area

A pair of major league pitchers who grew up in Tippecanoe County will be featured this week at two separate benefit luncheons in conjunction with Purdue's Military Appreciation Week, leading up to home football game vs. Wisconsin.

Pitchers Josh Lindblom and Clayton Richard, who are both involved with local charities and spend their off-seasons in the Lafayette-West Lafayette area, will headline the programs at the events, which blend local support and appreciation for military personnel.

The week coincides with the annual Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities in the Krannert School of Management. More about the week is under "Events" at www.purdue.edu/boilers4heroes.

Tuesday, Nov. 4: Community Makers: Duty Calls

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Bruno's Pizza & Big O's Sports Room, 212 Brown St. (Levee).
Cost: $25

Benefits are to five local nonprofit entities (can give to all or select any number of them):
* Food Finders of Lafayette through the Josh Lindblom Foundation
* Honor Flight through the Lafayette Gold Star Mothers
* Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) at Krannert
* Military Family Research Institute
* The leadership scholarship program of the National Football Foundation’s Joe Tiller Chapter, which is the official host for these luncheons.

Program:
* Josh Lindblom, speaking on his call to community service and some of his projects
* Karli Edging, local vocalist, providing patriotic music
* Purdue students Ryan Spesard and Avery Walker, both from the NFF chapter area and scholarship recipients from it
* Rob Hughes, WLFI sports, emcee

Tickets and information:
* Online ticket ordering
* Alternative method: Contact Jim Vruggink at jvruggink@purdue.edu

Friday, Nov. 7: "Lunch & Learn: Military Appreciation at Westminster Village"

Noon-1:45 p.m. Westminster Village, 2741 N. Salisbury St.
Cost: $25 (limited ticket supply remains)

Benefits are to four local nonprofit entities (can give to all or select any number of them):
* Honor Flight through the Lafayette Gold Star Mothers
* Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) at Krannert
* Military Family Research Institute
* The leadership scholarship program of the National Football Foundation’s Joe Tiller Chapter, which is the official host for these luncheons.

Program:
* Clayton Richard, speaking on appreciation for the military, answering questions on his baseball career and his community devotion
* Randy Noel, a World War II veteran of age 94, on his war experiences and successful business life
* Emily Mishler, Miss Purdue, providing patriotic piano music
* Rob Hughes, WLFI sports, emcee

Tax-deductible contributions are being accepted in lieu of attendance or in addition to it. For more information about these events, contact the following people in Purdue’s Trademarks Licensing Office: David Wilson (49-41077 or dcwilson@purdue.edu), Jim Vruggink (49-42086 or jvruggink@purdue.edu) or Abby Hawn (49-41733 or abbyhawn@purdue.edu). The student organization Purdue Gold Standard also is assisting.