CLEVELAND — Nick Swisher called it a no-brainer.
The FBI called it an important step in helping protect children.
Swisher, the Indians first baseman, was honored before Thursday’s game against Cincinnati by The FBI Citizens Academy Foundation for his $25,000 donation to purchase about 15,000 child identification kits.
“When this opportunity came, especially on the heels of what had happened in our own backyard with those three girls, it was pretty much a no-brainer,” Swisher said. “I could not have been more honored and more happy to participate.”
Swisher referred to three girls kidnapped and held in Cleveland for 10 years — Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.
The kits were given out at Thursday’s game. They contain an inkless fingerprinting card, a DNA collection envelope and a cutout wallet card. If a child is missing, the kit can be given to authorities to help locate the child.
The FBI details the purpose of the kits and how they can be used to protect children on its website.
“I said I wasn’t going to just come here and be part of the team, I was going to be part of the community and get involved,” Swisher said.
His wife JoAnna Garcia was a partner in the donation.
“It means a lot to Northeast Ohio,” said Steve Williger, board chairman of the FBICAF.
Williger said 800,000 children are reported missing in the USA annually — more than 2,000 per day.
Kits will be distributed in the area throughout the summer. The FBI’s website provides information on where.
