STRIDE's 14th Annual Wounded Warrior Snowfest

Thank our regional wounded military heroes! Show your support by attending the Welcoming Dinner to say 'thank you for your service'

Please join STRIDE Adaptive Sports as we recognize and thank combat-injured veterans from the Capital Region for their service and sacrifice.

STRIDE, local lawmakers, business leaders, and grateful civilians will gather for a Welcome Ceremony / Dinner with veterans and their families on Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, NY.

Local Wounded Warrior Gives Back to Community

(West Sand Lake, NY) – After serving a total of 20 years in military service in both Marine Corps and US Army, local Wounded Warrior, SFC Don Tallman (R), decided that he would like to give back to the community by sharing his experience in service and connecting with other fellow warriors through STRIDE Adaptive Sports.

Tallman, who works at Union College Office of the Registrar, was an alumni ambassador for upstate New York Wounded Warrior Project and first heard about STRIDE when he attended an event in 2013 on Union College campus that was thought to be a part of the Wounded Warrior Project, but later found out that it was a STRIDE Wounded Warrior Program. At the event, Tallman got Mary Ellen Whitney’s, CEO and founder of STRIDE, contact information and reached out to her.

In 2008, while in Afghanistan, Tallman suffered nerve damage on the left side of his body, which made it difficult for him to engage in any physical activity without feeling intense pain. Like most, if not all warriors, Tallman went through a phase of depression and solitude where he would not leave home unless he was forced to. Once he got involved with STRIDE, Tallman was on the path to recovering himself physically, mentally, and emotionally. He tried skiing for the first time and realized that he was able to accomplish two things, 1.) spend time with his kids who both loved to ski and snowboard, and 2.) build his confidence to try to do activities without causing too much pain.

“Peer relationship with other comrades is probably the strongest rehabilitative prompt, I think…” says Don Tallman, “spending time with peers that have been through similar deployment or injury circumstances; those are probably the best. You share what you’ve been through and how you got through those things”.  Tallman has recently been appointed the position as STRIDE’s Wounded Warrior Program Liaison. He has a lot to offer and in store to share and engage with other local heroes and looks forward to continue building STRIDE’s Warrior program, in hopes to help ‘heal’ others through adaptive sport and camaraderie.

To Contact Don Tallman: dtallman@stride.org

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SCORE!

Empire Blue Cross Employees partner with STRIDE Adaptive Sports for “Camp Clean-Up Day” in Chatham

STRIDE Adaptive Sports operates an 85 acre camp called SCORE 
(Rensselaer, NY)

(Stride Center for Outdoor Recreation & Education) formerly Girl Scout Camp Sha-Te-Muc located in Chatham, NY.

The camp, which had been vacant for many years, is host to many outdoor education programs for local Wounded Warriors and special needs children, to fully utilize the camping skills. STRIDE operates dozens of themed outdoor education programs and tent-camping during the summer, and pairs volunteers with STRIDE athletes with disabilities for a mentoring and rehabilitative experiences. The facility is also a retreat site used by Warriors and their families in addition to serving the hundreds of kids who participate in programs STRIDE offers tent-camping, hiking, archery, kayaking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and a lodge which offers a large space for trainings, seminars and retreats.

STRIDE Heads to the Winter State Games

STRIDE ADAPTIVE SPORTS SPECIAL OLYMPICS SKI TEAM HEADS TO WINTER STATE GAMES

Rensselaer, NY – February 17th 2016 – Local youth with disabilities have an exciting new way to pursue their athletic potential through a Special Olympics Ski Team organized and run by STRIDE Adaptive Sports.

One of New York’s leading providers of sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities, STRIDE has been offering adaptive ski lessons since the organization’s inception in 1985. Of STRIDE’s 16+ different sports programs, STRIDE’s ski and snowboard program regularly attracts the most participants each winter, with lessons taught at Jiminy Peak (MA), Catamount (NY/MA), and Ski Sundown (CT).

Rebuilding Warriors Show @ Uncle Marty's

Come drink and dine on the patio at Uncle Marty's, and help support an organization that provides trained service dogs to veterans in need - no cover charge, all contributions to Rebuilding Warriors are voluntary.

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STRIDE Adaptive Sports Featured in TIME

Local Wounded Warrior and his adoptive ‘Momma’ featured in TIME magazine

Rensselaer, NY – TSGT Timothy McDonough was living in Ghent NY when he met the CEO of STRIDE Adaptive Sports for the first time. He wore dark glasses, barely spoke and was attached at the hip to his German Shepherd Service dog, Bailey. Mary Ellen Whitney gently and consistently lured him into getting involved promising results if he would just try to step outside his belief that he was permanently disabled.

McDonough signed up for the STRIDE Warrior Snowfest at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in March of 2012, and learned to snowboard with some adaptive assistance from the STRIDE program operated there. The experience opened the door for him, and he began healing through getting involved in other programs. That summer, McDonough fell in love with STRIDE Center for Outdoor Recreation & Education (SCORE) camp in Chatham, as his solace and safe place for recreation, relaxation and building relationships.

Fast forward to 2015, McDonough now lives in Spokane Washington with his family, where his wife’s family hails. He is connected with numerous Wounded Warrior organization that offer adaptive sports that he loves, such as swimming, archery and shooting. Something clicked for McDonough, and his talents became apparent. A few short months ago, he attended the very first Wounded Warrior Air Force Trials, and took a bronze on freestanding rifle shooting. More recently, he earned the first ever Recurve Archery Gold for the AF trials. He also become a mentor for others and was given the Care Beyond Duty Mentorship Award. Not only has he pushed himself, but has been inspiring and pushing other wounded, ill and injured airmen.

His story was profiled in TIME magazine – just hitting the shelves, www.time.com/wounded-warriors , and he credits STRIDE Adaptive Sports and Mary Ellen Whitney as his adoptive “Momma’ .

Mary Ellen Whitney, CEO of STRIDE, couldn’t be happier “I am enormously proud of Tim and many others who struggle daily with demons of war memories; and yet they dare to step forward to learn a better way, through helping others. Integrating our veterans with youth who have disabilities is a powerful tool for healing, Tim is a fine example of this STRIDE philosophy”.

More info can be found by calling 518-598-1279.
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For Immediate Release

US Congressman Chris Gibson to Address

26 Regional Wounded Warriors

Troy, NY – Twenty-six regional Wounded Warriors and their families begin arriving to the Capital District today for the 10th anniversary STRIDE Wounded Warrior Snowfest, for a weekend of healing through adaptive sports.