Dear Family and Friends,
Welcome to my fundraising page!
Within the past 6 months I lost 2 of my friends to suicide, with the most recent being last week. My heart is physically aching. I have decided to use this weekend to raise awareness for veteran suicide and raise money to partner service dogs with local veterans suffering from combat-related disabilities.
I was supposed to be participating in this Team Foster Ruff Ride: 24-Hour Spin Relay, but due to Covid-19 the event has been pushed to October. Instead, this Saturday, I plan on completing a 22 mile (~22 suicides a day) road march with 30lbs in my rucksack. My goal is to complete 3 laps around the Art Museum Loop, ~8.79miles. I realize the route will be 26.37miles total, but I can't just cut across the river at the perfect 22 mile marker ??
I’d like to raise $100 per mile. It takes a community to heal a warrior so I plead that you consider making a donation, no matter how large or small. AND, maybe consider doing a drive by on the loop if you are local!
??Please consider donating to my personal fundraising page here:
https://www.pledgereg.com/249291
????I will begin at 0700 and you will be able to track me here https://www.strava.com/athletes/38778858
Ruff Ride: 24-Hour Spin Relay
Welcome to Ruff Ride: 24-Hour Spin Relay!
Ruff Ride challenges teams to tackle a 24-hour spin event. On October 16-17, 2020 we will take over beautiful Commerce Square with the country’s only outdoor 24-hour spin relay. All proceeds go to fund service dogs for injured veterans.
Why We Ride: Team Foster raises money to provide trained service dogs at no cost to local veterans, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Service dogs change the lives of veterans by providing the physical support and performing complex tasks enabling the veteran to heal.
Inspiration: Team Foster honors the spirit and sacrifice of Captain Erick Foster who was killed while engaging enemy; forces in 2007 in Iraq. Erick was a warrior, a leader and an inspiration. He pushed himself and those around him to be better – to go a little farther, to give a little more. And that’s what Team Foster does. We go a little farther, we give a little more to support the service men and women who kept us safe.
We want YOU to go a little farther and give a little more.
Visit our Facebook Page for more information: Ruff Ride: 24-Hour Spin Relay
Welcome to the Team...
Team Foster is a 501(c)(3) charity organization founded to honor Captain Erick Foster though its mission: No Hero Left Behind. Team Foster fights for the unmet needs of injured and disabled Veterans by bringing together civilians, Veterans and highly trained service dogs.
We do this by:
- Helping Veterans obtain highly-trained service dogs they need at no cost,
- Providing grants for the unmet needs of Veterans and their service dog,
- Ensuring Veteran service dogs receive the highest quality training,
- Promote Awareness of Service-Related PTSD and TBI, and advocate for the long-term needs of our Veterans.
If your company or organization is interested in sponsoring Team Foster, please email us at [email protected] for opportunities.
Team Foster was founded in honor of Captain Erick Foster. A natural leader and a warrior, Erick pushed those around them to do more and to take care of their teammates.
Team Foster seeks to honor Erick's legacy by pushing ourselves and taking care of our teammates - the Veterans who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are the signature wounds of post-9/11 warfare. Hundreds of thousand of Veterans have returned home afflicted with these invisible wounds. As a result, 20+ Veterans and military members lose their lives to suicide every day.
But there's hope: Service Dogs Save Lives.
Service dogs are an elegant solution to the complex symptoms of PTSD and TBI. An alternative to medications, these dogs have been proven over and over again to save the lives of our heroes. However, a properly trained and accredited service dog takes 2 years and costs over $25,000 to train. Team Foster fills this need and ensures that our Veterans receive the service dogs they need at no cost. We then partner with the Veteran to "watch their six" going forward by providing grants and additional support as needed.
Learn more about Team Foster at www.TeamFoster.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the handle: @weareteamfoster.
Checks or matching donations may be sent to:
Team Foster, PO Box 2145, Philadelphia, PA, 19103