When Sgt. Johnna Kovach visited Oxford Friday afternoon, she thought she was here to throw out the first pitch at a special high school baseball game paying tribute to America’s military veterans.

The 28-year-old had no idea it was also a fund-raiser for her.

The doubleheader between the varsity baseball teams of Oxford High School and Detroit Country Day raised $1,000 for Kovach, who’s served in the Michigan Army National Guard since 2007 and spent two tours in Afghanistan.

“It’s definitely not something that I would have ever expected,” she said.

Although she’s extremely grateful for the community’s generosity and support, Kovach told this reporter she plans to “pay it forward” by donating the money to Dalis Hitchcock, a fellow resident of St. Louis, Michigan who operates a nonprofit organization named “Dalis to the Rescue.”

Founded in 2016, the rescue takes in and adopts out all sorts of animals, from dogs and cats to birds, lizards and rabbits. “There is no rescue that is too big or too small,” according to the organization’s website www.dalistotherescue.com.

Speaking of Hitchcock, Kovach said, “Her heart is bigger than anybody (else’s) I’ve ever known. Pretty much any animal, she’ll help.”

Because she loves serving her country so much, Kovach is grateful that this money will give her the opportunity “to help somebody (else) keep doing what they love to do.”

Kovach, who serves with the 46th Military Police Company based in Corunna, was very impressed with the special patriotic/military-themed jerseys and hats worn by the Wildcat and Yellowjacket players during the game.

“I love them,” she said. “I’ve never seen a community do anything like that before. It’s pretty sweet. I wish my unit could have come down and seen it. They definitely would have appreciated it, too.”

Kovach said sometimes people are “forgetful” when it comes to remembering and appreciating the sacrifices military personnel have made, and continue to make, to keep the United States free and secure.

That’s why this special baseball game honoring veterans meant so much to her.

“It’s great to see a community be so supportive,” she said. “I wish we could have more of it.”

On the field, it was a mixed day for the Wildcats. Oxford lost the first game 6-0, but then roared back to life and won the second game 17-2.

Donations for Kovach will be collected for two more weeks. Folks can either email OHS Baseball Coach Dave Herrick at dave.herrick@oxfordschools.org or contact the Oxford Athletic Dept. at (248) 969-5110.