STRIDE, Inc. 476 N. Greenbush Rd., Suite 9 Rensselaer NY 12144
EMAIL: mwhitney@stride.org WEB: www.stride.org
Contact: Mary Ellen Whitney (518) 598-1279
For Immediate Release Photo and press opportunity
 |
| Warrior Cpl. Roman Goddeau and family |
(Rensselaer, NY) When Cpl. Jeremy Walton signed up for a Wounded Warrior skiing trip provided by a local non-profit STRIDE Adaptive Sports which offers sports programs for individuals with disabilities, he had no idea just how much his life would change. The March ski trip offered him and his family a chance to spend camaraderie with other veterans, and the opportunity to learn how to snowboard after combat injury left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury. But STRIDE ‘s mission promotes that healing comes in giving not receiving, and they plant that seed for Warriors to continue their time volunteering for STRIDE after the sport weekend is over.
Cpl. Walton, not having much otherwise in his life, decided to volunteer his Sunday mornings to help young children with special needs learn to swim. He found the benefits in teaching helped him to curb some of the effects of his serious PTSD issues. Spending time in the water giving joy to kids who need attention and special direction to learn a sport, calmed him and made him feel important again. And when swim season ended, and the organization’s camping program began at the Stride Center for Outdoor Recreation and Education located in Chatham, New York. Weekends of tent camping activities, was right up Cpl. Walton’s alley, teaching archery, fishing, hiking and outdoor education activities. Additionally, Cpl. Walton puts camp maintenance into his weekly routine, volunteering to cut the grass and do maintenance chores at the facility, in addition to attending classes at Hudson Valley Community College. Mary Ellen Whitney, Executive Director said, "We are witnessing the transformation and healing of a young Marine whose PTSD issues were very evident in the beginning. Jeremy is healing inside and out and we see it". Whitney and the organization have forged many community relationships and resources for veterans, since working with Wounded Warriors since 2005. One of those resources is staying connected to Warriors who leave the region. Connecting them back to new Warriors in transition is a big plus! Tsgt. Tim McDonough also attended STRIDE’s Snowfest weekend in 2011 for the first time. He along with his German Shepherd Bailey, have a story of healing similar to CPl. Walton, spending many weekends camping and helping kids before he and his family moved to Spokane, Washington last fall. Tsgt. McDonough healed enough to find purpose in his life to start his own non-profit ‘Shephards for Lost Sheep’ raising and training service dogs for veterans.
Cpl. Walton, now going through a divorce, had applied on his own to numerous organizations for a service dog and put on waiting lists. “It was just natural that Walton and McDonough should be connected’, said Whitney, “and I was certain Tim would do everything possible to help a fellow STRIDE Warrior”. She was right. Alanna, an 8-month old chocolate Labrador Retriever will make the flight with Tsgt. McDonough, his wife Maggie and Bailey in August , when they return to attend STRIDE’s camping retreat ‘Warrior Boot Camp’ at SCORE. Alanna and Jeremy will be united for the first time on that trip, thanks to the efforts of STRIDE. A ‘Doggie Shower’ for Jeremy and Alanna will be held at STRIDE’s office on August 7 to get the pair set up for their union.
Another union is in the works for STRIDE this summer. STRIDE Center for Outdoor Recreation& Education (SCORE) formerly a Girl Scout Camp, was a gift and a blessing to STRIDE through a connections from Warrior and US Congressman Chris Gibson. Now in its second year of operation, STRIDE is making wonderful memories and building programs very quickly such as fishing, archery and themed tent camping weekends. The main lodge is nestled on 85 environmentally-protected acres with much to offer. When Cpl. Roman Goddau and his fiancée Heidi Osgood mentioned to Whitney that they needed to put off their wedding for another year because of finances, Whitney offered the lodge as a potential wedding venue for them. The couple and their two-year-old daughter will be wed September 7 as part of the STRIDE generosity. A country-themed Marine wedding with Albany Marine League sword ceremony will unite the couple, and reception to follow with support from Columbia County Blue Star mothers. Once again pulling in resources, Whitney was able to secure some funding and gifts to give the couple and daughter not only a wedding, but a honeymoon at Disney’s ‘Shades of Green’ program for veterans. "This is an example of the power of karma and giving back. We have been given this magical place to share, and what better way than to have a wedding!” said Whitney, who often refers to Warriors in the program as her ‘sons’.
For more information or to contact STRIDE Adaptive Sports: www.stride.org
Warrior Cpl. Jeremy Walton at STRIDE’s archery range
STRIDE Adaptive Sports
476 North Greenbush Road #9
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(office) 518-598-1279
(mobile) 518-466-4251
No comments:
Post a Comment
Join the conversation.