Coach Baeckmann: The German Handball Legend (and Texas Baker) leading Team USA …….
Today I’m writing to ask for your support of the USA Junior Women’s National Handball Team.
You might be wondering, “Tony? Handball?” Well, the story goes like this: Thomas Baeckmann and his wife Jennie – originally from Germany – relocated to my hometown of Brownsville a few years ago and are now the owners of the amazing Pan de Cada Dia bakery.
In addition to having a successful bakery, Tom was a highly regarded handball coach in Germany. So, when the USA JWHT found themselves without a coach, Tom was asked to step away from the oven and into the box. And the rest, as they say, is history.
At Tom’s direction, Team USA’s Junior Women’s National Handball Team recently competed in Mexico City, where they achieved something pretty remarkable: qualifying for the Pan American Games (and going undefeated)! This is a huge milestone for the sport in our country as the young women prepare to travel to Paraguay to compete in the games in August.
Of course, after the celebrations from their success in Mexico City subsided, the realities of what JWHT’s next challenge means began to set in. To get to Paraguay, the team needs to pay for equipment, training, and travel (flights, food, and accommodation). This led Tom to reach out to me for help because – full transparency – we are related, at least in a South Texas sort of way.
Each player is committed to representing the United States with pride, but unfortunately, many of the athletes are unable to cover these expenses on their own. As such, they’ve set up a Go Fund Me campaign with a goal of raising 50,000 dollars.
Please take a moment now to consider making a donation. Whether it be $100, $250 or even $500, it will make all the difference — and it’s tax deductible!
Join me in helping give these young athletes the shot they deserve!
All the best,