Budweiser Pledges Support for ‘Walk Off a Hero’

There is no more exciting play in baseball than a walk-off, when the home team wins the game in the bottom of the final inning. This season, Budweiser is making the moment even more special by helping to change the lives for families of America’s heroes through the “Walk Off a Hero” program.

Budweiser will donate $5,000 for every walk-off during baseball’s 2012 regular season to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for families of U.S. military personnel killed or disabled while serving their country.

In addition to Walk Off a Hero, Budweiser will contribute a portion of all sales from May 20 to July 7 in an effort to raise as much as $2.5 million for FHF.

“Never before has rooting for the home team meant more than it does this baseball season,” said Rob McCarthy, VP of Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch. “Our partnership with Folds of Honor is helping to make a difference in the lives of families whose love ones have paid so dearly to protect the freedoms we all hold so dear.”

In addition, Budweiser will feature special patriotic packaging for both its cans and bottles that will be available throughout the summer. Consumers also will have the chance to get involved by texting HERO to 80888 to make a $5 donation to the organization.

“Thanks to Budweiser, each walk-off will mean one scholarship for a deserving military family,” said Maj. Dan Rooney, president and founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation. “We can never replace the loss of their loved ones, but with Budweiser’s support we can help make a difference in their lives.”

Throughout the baseball season, Budweiser will allow fans to select their favorite walk-off of the month by voting on MLB.com. At the end of the season, the best walk-off for each team will be recognized by Budweiser with a special thank you from FHF and a scholarship family.

“In baseball history, there have been some memorable walk-offs, including many late-inning heroics in both the 2011 regular and post seasons,” McCarthy said. “As special as these moments are for baseball fans, through the outstanding work of Folds of Honor we’re making them that much more meaningful for the families of our fallen American heroes.”

Since its creation in 2007, FHF has provided more than 2,600 scholarships to recipients across the country. FHF is a charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities. Their unique scholarships can be applied to schooling now or held by FHF on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment.

Last year, Budweiser contributed $2 million to FHF through donating a portion of sales and $100 for every home run hit during baseball’s regular season.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world’s largest-selling beers. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer.