#GoingToBat Community Spotlight: Jake Peavy

Mar 18, 2016 5:15 PM ET

Jake Peavy goes from pitching baseball to playing guitar for his foundation’s annual benefit concert.

Peavy’s Hero Jam was held on March 13 at LiveWire in the heart of the city’s Entertainment District with proceeds benefiting the United Service Organization’s Transition 360 Alliance. The national initiative helps U.S. military personnel and their families successfully transition back into civilian life after their active military service ends.

“As we kick off the baseball season here in Arizona, it’s the perfect time to bring people together to celebrate and support one of the most important missions of our foundation—showing our gratitude to our nation’s military and the work they do to serve and protect,” Peavy said. “I know the music at Hero Jam will inspire our military and those who come support the incredible work of the USO.” 

The lineup included an opening act by Kelley James. The main act featured Peavy and his band, Jake Peavy and Friends, comprised of Coy Bowles, Tim Flannery, Peter Gammons, Jimmy Hall, Jennifer Hartswick, Ben Jernigan, Doug Pettibone, Kevin Scott and Chris Spies.

While some of the musicians have toured with the Rolling Stones and Zac Brown Band, the real stars were the military service men and women in attendance.

The Jake Peavy Foundation also held a special service project the day before Hero Jam in partnership with USO Arizona, assembling “welcome home” bags for service members returning from deployment as a part of the USO’s Rack Sacks program.

The Jake Peavy Foundation strives to create signature outreach programs and opportunities that benefit the health and wellbeing of those in our local communities with emphasis on at-risk children and families, U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans.

Watch a recap of Hero Jam here.

Major Leaguers are #GoingToBat for causes near and dear to them, as they personify the Players Trust’s motto to ‘care, act and inspire.’ To learn more about the charitable interests and activities of Major Leaguers, please click here.