Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Couples that Run Together, Stay Together


There are many reasons to run--physical fitness, weight loss, stress reliever, and more. And for one couple that is close to Hope For The Warriors®, running has introduced them to their future spouse.

Loni and Greg met when they each joined Team Hope For The Warriors® to run the ING New York City Marathon.  Through the Team and their shared dedication to supporting the military, they quickly became friends and started dating.

Beyond the Team, Loni and Greg have supported Hope For The Warriors® through other fundraising avenues and volunteer work.  They have become significant friends to our organization and to our military families.

Last month, they married!  The entire Hope For The Warriors® staff wishes them well!

As in past years, we have race bibs available for the ING New York City Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon and more.  We cannot promise that you will meet your future spouse but we can promise that joining the Team will go far in supporting our military families.

Read more about the Team and register for a race today!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

FDNY Southern Rumble



4 motorcycles, 5,000+ miles, 15 cities, 2 weeks, $20,000.  All for one cause.

On August 9, four members of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) will kick off a 2-week, 15-city, motorcycle ride in their effort to raise funds and awareness for Hope For The Warriors®.  The group has set a goal to raise $20,000 through fundraising events throughout the summer.
The group includes four men who are avid bikers, but more importantly, four men that are determined to serve within their communities and country.  They include:
John Finnerty--Firefighter Ladder 29, Rides a Harley Fat Boy
Kevin McEntyre--Firefighter, Special Operations Command, Retired, 9/11 First Responder, Rides a Harley Road Glide
Jason Puser--Firefighter Ladder 29, Rides a Harley Street Glide
Chris Walsh--Firefighter Ladder 17, 9/11 First Responder, USMC Iraqi War Vet, Rides a Harley Street Glide




First Visit to Medical Center

Chris shares the reason he focuses time and energy on raising funds for the wounded. After he returned from Iraq and was discharged, he and fellow fire fighters traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit wounded service members in the medical centers.  As he spoke with the wounded, he listened to their stories, and learned what had happened to each of them.
He was speaking with a young Marine who had lost one of his legs in Iraq.  As this man shared the story of how he was injured, Chris realized that he knew exactly where this man had been hurt.
“The streets that I had been driving down (while in Iraq) were the same streets these guys were getting getting hit by IEDs.  I was just lucky.”

That discovery gave Chris another reason to focus on helping these wounded service members.  In spite of his busy schedule, he knows that it could have been him wounded and in rehabilitation at the hospital.
Jason, John, Kevin and Chris have all served many years within their local communities.  As firefighters, they understand first hand the importance of service within the community and our country.


 

Travel Support
The group seeks donations and support along the way for the trip.  The more donations they receive in hotel rooms, lodging, meals and gas cards, the more that goes directly to Hope For The Warriors®.  Their goal is for all of the funds to be donated directly to Hope For The Warriors®.  The full route can be seen at www.hopeforthewarriors.org/fdnyrumblers.  Stops include:

Ashville, NC; Nashville, TN; Memphis, TN; Dallas, TX; Austin, TX; (Day trip to San Antonio, TX); New Orleans, LA; Montgomery, AL; Gainesville, FL; Sarasota, FL; Key West, FL; Daytona, FL; Fayetteville, NC; and Bethesda, MD. 


Walter Reed Family BBQ
The last stop before they return to New York City will be in Washington, D.C.  The group is joining Hope For The Warriors® for a BBQ at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.  The BBQ will be open to service members and their families undergoing rehabilitation at the medical facility. 

All of the guys are excited and grateful for the opportunity to visit with these American heroes.  They are also thankful for the opportunity to tour the country, highlighting the important work that has been done by Hope For The Warriors® and the work that still needs to be done to restore self, family and hope for wounded service members and military families.



 

Second Year
This is the second year of the rumble.  Last year’s was called “Rumble to the Rockies” and five men rode west into the Rocky Mountains.  The group raised more than $18,000 and like this year, ended the two week road trip with a BBQ at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.  This year the men are excited to travel a new route with new people to listen to their message.

To learn more or donate, visit www.hopeforthewarriors.org/fdnyrumblers. 

Monday, July 29, 2013

Shawdust: A Wish Granted


In April, we shared with many of our supporters the Wish from David Shaw, a veteran who Wished for tools to support the growth of his woodworking business.  (We also posted the story here in June.)

Woodworking became a way to take his mind off his physical pain and instead focus on the beautiful pieces he could create.  His work also became a way for him to support his young, growing family.

Hope For The Warriors® is excited to share that we have granted this Wish!  Earlier this month, volunteers and staff members joined David and his family as the tools were delivered. 


Thank you to those that donated to make this Wish possible.  By supporting this Wish, you support the future of this veteran and his family.  Thank you for joining in our mission to restore self, family and hope.


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Adaptive Help for Enthusiastic Hunters


Mark Kayser with a military family
Hope For TheWarriors® aims to restore self, family and hope to wounded service members and military families.  For some service members, that means a return to the golf course or a handcycle that allows them to compete in marathons.  For others, it is a return to the outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing. 
Today I share a blog written by Mark Kayser, Hope For The Warriors® national spokesman for the Outdoor Adventures Program.  Returning service members to the outdoors sometimes requires new, adaptive equipment.  Mark’s blog highlights several options for service members, depending on the disability.  Read Mark’s blog here.

Thank you to Mark for highlighting this important information.