IFL West Michigan Thunderhawks Donate footballs 

Press Release: OGA10-PR-6

Posted: Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The West Michigan ThunderHawks of the Indoor Football League have donated a dozen footballs to Operation Gridiron Airlift. The team works with several local veteran's organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project thanks to team general manager Rob Preston, who is an Army veteran. The ThunderHawks, who were originally known as the Muskegon Thunder, hosted the very first IFL game in 2009 after the newly formed league was created as a result of a merger between two other leagues, United Indoor Football and the Intense Football League. The ThunderHawks are now located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

About Operation Gridiron Airlift

For our troops serving overseas, the simplest gifts from home are always a welcome sight and very much appreciated. And what is more American than a football? Sometimes, just tossing a football around or organizing a friendly game while deployed overseas can be a welcome diversion, bringing a bit of home to a foreign location. That's why Operation Gridiron Airlift has been collecting new and used footballs, that are in good condition, and sending them to our troops serving overseas. 

Founded in 2008, the organizer of Operation Gridiron Airlift is retired Master Sergeant Randy Snow of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He spent 21 years serving in the Michigan Air National Guard and retired as a member of the Battle Creek ANG Base in 2002. Since 2003, he has covered the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, the Continental Indoor Football League, United Indoor Football and the Indoor Football League. He has also covered the All American Football League and the Canadian Football League. His work can be found on ArenaFan.com, OurSportsCentral.com and AmericanChronicle.com.

The list of contributors to Operation Gridiron Airlift continues to grow and includes the following;

Pro Football Leagues

• National Football League / Detroit Lions (2008)

• Arena Football League / Grand Rapids Rampage (2008)

• Arena Football League / Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2009)

• Continental Indoor Football League / Kalamazoo Xplosion (2008)

• Intense Football League / San Angelo Stampede Express (2008)

• Indoor Football League / West Michigan ThunderHawks (2010)

Colleges

• United States Air Force Academy (Mountain West Conference) (2008)

• Western Michigan University (Mid-American Conference) (2008)

• Central Michigan University (Mid-American Conference) (2008)

• Michigan State University (Big Ten Conference) (2009)

• Purdue University (Big Ten Conference) (2008)

• Arizona State University (Pac-10 Conference) (2009)

High Schools

• Hackett Catholic Central High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan (2009)

• Kalamazoo Christian High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan (2009)

• Orrville High School, Orrville, Ohio (2009)

• Wooster High School, Wooster, Ohio (2009)

Other

• FlexFab LLC of Hastings, Michigan (2008/2010)

• Private donations

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Randy at RandySnow22@yahoo.com. You will also find Operation Gridiron Airlift on Facebook and YouTube, or visit www.OperationGridironAirlift.com.