The Arby’s Foundation has continued its efforts to develop youth leadership in its latest partnership with the United Heroes League, an organization founded to support the development of critical life skills for military children through sports.

The initiative hit home for Mark Kocer, an Army veteran and the Senior Director of Operations for Arby’s. Mark discovered the UHL about three years ago and was able to help facilitate a partnership with the Arby’s Foundation in the form of a $25,000 grant.

That money will help the UHL’s efforts in providing military families financial relief through sports equipment, camps, association dues and other sports-centric opportunities.

“When I heard about the United Heroes League’s cause, I was inspired help,” Mark said.

“Having been deployed before, it’s a financial burden with kids in youth athletics. From sports camps to equipment, this program offers resources for military youth they couldn’t typically afford.” Mark Kocer, Army veteran and Senior Director of Operations, Arby’s

Beyond strictly the financial aspects, UHL’s goal is to ensure children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in group activities and to help them develop critical life skills through sports. For children, this type of engagement with other kids is imperative for future growth.

“Oftentimes, parents are heavily involved with youth athletics. The UHL provides companionship to children, especially those with one or both parents deployed,” Mark said.

“Bringing families together that are in similar situations helps everyone cope.”

According to the UHL, as deployments rise in frequency and length over the past 10 years, more than two million United States children have been directly affected by their parents’ deployment.

Since its inception, the UHL has donated over $3 million worth of free sports equipment, game tickets, cash grants and summer camps to military families across the United States and Canada.