MIAMI -- Before Paul Skenes was the pitching phenom of his generation, he was a cadet at the Air Force Academy. The plan was to serve his country, but once it became clear that he had a chance to do something incredible on the baseball diamond, Skenes knew he had to seize the opportunity -- with some convincing from his family and coaches.

“I didn’t want to leave. I really didn’t,” Skenes said. “It was something that I had to do because of what’s happening right now. I had to take the chance. The people who were there -- I’m never going to be around that caliber of person ever again. I knew that when I left, and it’s a tough pill to swallow.”

There are other ways to serve than just being in uniform, though. Skenes is doing that now, spearheading a charity drive with a goal to raise $100,000 for the Gary Sinise Foundation.

“I’m basically trying to give back to that community as much as possible,” Skenes said. “That’s something I told myself when I left, and now we’re taking some actions to do that.”

The foundation aims to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities for veterans, first responders and their families, and has raised over $400 million for those it serves since it was founded in 2011.

Skenes has pledged to donate $100 per strikeout this season -- just as he did last year -- and is offering a meet and greet during batting practice and tickets to a game to whoever makes the largest donation to the campaign before the Pirates’ home opener on April 4 (or the top two, if it’s a tie).

This will mark the second year Skenes has been involved with the Gary Sinise Foundation. Last year, Skenes’ work with the foundation was part of the Pirates’ day of service in honor of Roberto Clemente, where volunteers wrote notes and letters to World War II veterans. Through the foundation’s Soaring Valor Mail Call program, those letters were delivered to veterans visiting the National WWII Museum.

Skenes plans doing more events with the charity this year. Last season had some challenges because he didn’t know when he was going to be called up to the Majors, making scheduling difficult. That’s not an obstacle this year, and he’s planning on doing more meet and greets and batting practice invitations for veterans to give back.

“[We] want to help as many military and first responders, and their families, as possible, and it’s a good foundation to do it,” Skenes said. “The money is going towards a good cause. It’s helping as many people out. And Gary’s my type of person, from what I’ve gathered. I like to think we’re similar in ways. I think it’s a good partnership.”

Skenes and Sinise have only met through Zoom, but it’s a natural pairing of two people who want to give back to those who have served. And it’s a relationship that’s likely going to extend beyond 2025.

“We’re hoping for a long-term relationship there,” Skenes said. “Glad to keep it going.”

Those who would like to donate can do so here.