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    Obstacle course athletes give back to local military members during “Sweat for the Vets”

    Obstacle course athletes give back to local military community during “Sweat for the Vets”

    Photo By 1st Lt. Amelia Leonard | Obstacle course athletes collect more than 250 lbs. of food during, “Sweat for the...... read more read more

    WILBRAHAM, MA, UNITED STATES

    11.11.2019

    Story by 2nd Lt. Amelia Leonard 

    104th Fighter Wing

    BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. —

    Eleven members of the local community participated in, “Sweat for the Vets,” November 11, 2019 in Wilbraham, Massachusetts.

    The group collected non-perishable and frozen food items, to include frozen turkeys. The goods were then used to fill backpacks, which participants wore during an hour-long grueling obstacle course class.

    They collected more than 250 lbs of food, which was donated to the Pioneer Valley USO. The Mission of the USO is to, “strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to our nation.”

    The Pioneer Valley USO supports military members stationed at Barnes ANG and Westover ARB, Mass. Their office, located in Chicopee, has a food pantry on-site for service members and their families, as well as access to furniture, cooking ware, and other necessities members may need during difficult financial times. They provide Thanksgiving meal care packages to members who request assistance. The donations from, “Sweat for the Vets,” went towards those Thanksgiving meal packages. “We chose a military organization since the workout took place on Veterans Day, and we wanted a way to tie it into helping veterans and the military,” said Heather Richardson, participant.

    Each individual backpack was filled with at least 25 lbs of food and simulated the weight military members carry when deployed to various areas of responsibility. “Burpees with 25 lbs on my back was probably the hardest for me,” said Richardson.

    Military members or their families interested in receiving a Thanksgiving care package or who are in need of immediate assistance can contact the Pioneer Valley USO at 413-557-3290.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.11.2019
    Date Posted: 11.13.2019 20:13
    Story ID: 351628
    Location: WILBRAHAM, MA, US

    Web Views: 135
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN