Donated Handcycles for Warriors
It was a day where the community truly displayed their appreciation, support, and were able to honor our service members and military families.
LINDENHURST, NY (PRWEB) November 16, 2014
Hope For The Warriors® held its 7th Annual Long Island Run For The Warriors® on Sunday, November 9, in Lindenhurst, NY. The event attracted more than 2,700 runners who participated in a 5K, 10K, or 1-Mile run. The race also raised more than $200,000 for Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and military families.
During the opening ceremonies of the race, nine handcycles were donated to wounded service members. Hope For The Warriors® was able to coordinate the handcycle donations through the philanthropic efforts of Island Federal Credit Union (IFCU), one of the event’s presenting sponsors, and Angel Bikes, a Long Island based nonprofit organization founded by the Ventura family, an active military family in the area. Angel Bikes coordinated the donations through support from the FDNY and local American Legion Chapters.
Wounded service members will use these handcycles to race and maintain an active lifestyle, despite their injuries. The cost of a handcycle places a large financial burden on the service member and their family. Each handcycle can cost between $3,000-$5000, based on the type of handcycle and the specific need of the wounded service member. Through handcycle donations and other adaptive equipment, Hope For The Warriors® is able to offer or reintroduce a sport to a wounded service member. Not only are the handcycles important to the physical recovery of a wounded service member but they help to build a community of warrior athletes that once again find joy in an active lifestyle.
“Everybody is so supportive,” said Staff Sgt. Bobby Dove, after receiving his handcycle. “I haven’t stopped smiling all morning and I think that pretty much sums it up.”
“I am so grateful to the Long Island Community for supporting this remarkable run,” Jack Caffey, Long Island Run For The Warriors® Race Director said. “It was a day where the community truly displayed their appreciation, support, and were able to honor our service members and military families.”
In addition to the participants of the run, there were approximately 7,000 members of the community in attendance. There was plenty of other activities, besides running, for the whole community to enjoy: various vendors from different Military branches, multiple sponsor tents, live music by Big Daddy Deluxe Band, a bounce house, a flight simulator, and a food tent.
Hope For The Warriors® would like to thank the entire Long Island community for supporting the race. The run was made possible by presenting sponsors IFCU, Local 338, and the Town of Babylon. All proceeds benefited Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization that assists combat wounded service members, their families, and families of the fallen. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for next year, contact Jack Caffey (JCaffey@hopeforthewarriors.org), Long Island Run For The Warriors® Race Director.
The mission of Hope For The Warriors® (http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org) is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families.
Hope For The Warriors® has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org) for three consecutive years. Charity Navigator is an independent organization that evaluates fiscal responsibility and accountability of nonprofits.
Hope For The Warriors® (Federal Tax ID 20-5182295) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code. Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27800.
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