thedrifter
08-29-09, 08:11 AM
STRIDE Adaptive Sports needs Wounded Warriors to help youths
By TERRY BROWN, Special to the Times Union
First published in print: Saturday, August 29, 2009
STRIDE Adaptive Sports needs help from a special group of people to mentor 15 youths with special needs during the second annual Wounded Warriors Fall Family Camping Retreat Sept. 18-20 at Moreau Lake State Park.
STRIDE needs Wounded Warriors, soldiers and Marines, including state Army National Guard or Army Reserve soldiers and Marine reservists, from Capital Region communities who were injured or wounded in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, to mentor the youths.
"This unique experience will not only be an enjoyable camping retreat, but serves a dual purpose for therapeutic collaboration between service members who have sustained injuries and or disabilities to mentor a youth athlete who also has special needs," says Katie Moshier, program development director of STRIDE Adaptive Sports.
Each Wounded Warrior will be assigned to mentor a STRIDE youth athlete with a similar disability for camp activities in a weekend of learning together. The pairs will be e-mail pen-pals before the retreat.
The weekend will include kayaking, swimming, canoeing, archery and whitewater rafting.
Meals, camping gear, gifts and assistance in transportation costs will be provided.
"We have a few Wounded Warriors already paired up," Moshier says. "We have more slots available for Wounded Warriors from operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)."
For more information, visit http://www.stride.org/events/woundedwarriors/fall_retreat.htm or contact Moshier at 598-1279 or at kmoshier@stride.org.
Donations to assist with the expenses for this event are being accepted. Send donations to STRIDE Adaptive Sports, P.O. Box 778, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Prep for academy
Tyler Baron of Albany, Andrew Bettinger of Delmar, Ian Butler of Ballston Lake and Zachary Hoeffner of East Greenbush are undergoing basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
The cadets must complete the six-week training before the start of the fall semester.
Baron, son of Matthew and Deborah Baron of Albany, is a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Albany.
Bettinger, son of Eric and Joyce Bettinger of Delmar, is a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School, Delmar.
Butler, son of Anthony and Amelia Butler of Ballston Lake, is a graduate of Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park.
Hoeffner, son of Craig and Jennifer Hoeffner of East Greenbush, is a graduate of Columbia High School, East Greenbush.
Armed forces tribute
Saratoga Race Course and the New York Racing Association will pay tribute to military personnel and veterans Wednesday on Proud to be an American Day.
Active military and veterans with a military ID will receive free grandstand admission courtesy of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Patrons are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.
Musical tributes to the military, displays of military equipment, interactive displays, named races and a visit from the reigning Miss New York are planned.
Patrons will be able to make a video greeting card with a personalized message for troops overseas. From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. fans can record the electronic message on DVD near the Big Red Spring. Miss New York 2009, Alyse Zwick, will be at the booth to greet patrons.
Fans also can record a greeting on DVD that will be mailed to troops by Operation Adopt a Soldier, a Wilton-based organization that provides support to active military, veterans and their families. Patrons can donate care package items at its booth.
Saratoga Race Course also will salute 70 NYRA employees who have served in the U.S. military with a special ceremony following the national anthem to be sung by Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998.
News of your soldiers and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or by e-mail at brownt@timesunion.com.
Ellie
By TERRY BROWN, Special to the Times Union
First published in print: Saturday, August 29, 2009
STRIDE Adaptive Sports needs help from a special group of people to mentor 15 youths with special needs during the second annual Wounded Warriors Fall Family Camping Retreat Sept. 18-20 at Moreau Lake State Park.
STRIDE needs Wounded Warriors, soldiers and Marines, including state Army National Guard or Army Reserve soldiers and Marine reservists, from Capital Region communities who were injured or wounded in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, to mentor the youths.
"This unique experience will not only be an enjoyable camping retreat, but serves a dual purpose for therapeutic collaboration between service members who have sustained injuries and or disabilities to mentor a youth athlete who also has special needs," says Katie Moshier, program development director of STRIDE Adaptive Sports.
Each Wounded Warrior will be assigned to mentor a STRIDE youth athlete with a similar disability for camp activities in a weekend of learning together. The pairs will be e-mail pen-pals before the retreat.
The weekend will include kayaking, swimming, canoeing, archery and whitewater rafting.
Meals, camping gear, gifts and assistance in transportation costs will be provided.
"We have a few Wounded Warriors already paired up," Moshier says. "We have more slots available for Wounded Warriors from operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)."
For more information, visit http://www.stride.org/events/woundedwarriors/fall_retreat.htm or contact Moshier at 598-1279 or at kmoshier@stride.org.
Donations to assist with the expenses for this event are being accepted. Send donations to STRIDE Adaptive Sports, P.O. Box 778, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Prep for academy
Tyler Baron of Albany, Andrew Bettinger of Delmar, Ian Butler of Ballston Lake and Zachary Hoeffner of East Greenbush are undergoing basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
The cadets must complete the six-week training before the start of the fall semester.
Baron, son of Matthew and Deborah Baron of Albany, is a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Albany.
Bettinger, son of Eric and Joyce Bettinger of Delmar, is a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School, Delmar.
Butler, son of Anthony and Amelia Butler of Ballston Lake, is a graduate of Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park.
Hoeffner, son of Craig and Jennifer Hoeffner of East Greenbush, is a graduate of Columbia High School, East Greenbush.
Armed forces tribute
Saratoga Race Course and the New York Racing Association will pay tribute to military personnel and veterans Wednesday on Proud to be an American Day.
Active military and veterans with a military ID will receive free grandstand admission courtesy of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Patrons are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.
Musical tributes to the military, displays of military equipment, interactive displays, named races and a visit from the reigning Miss New York are planned.
Patrons will be able to make a video greeting card with a personalized message for troops overseas. From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. fans can record the electronic message on DVD near the Big Red Spring. Miss New York 2009, Alyse Zwick, will be at the booth to greet patrons.
Fans also can record a greeting on DVD that will be mailed to troops by Operation Adopt a Soldier, a Wilton-based organization that provides support to active military, veterans and their families. Patrons can donate care package items at its booth.
Saratoga Race Course also will salute 70 NYRA employees who have served in the U.S. military with a special ceremony following the national anthem to be sung by Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998.
News of your soldiers and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or by e-mail at brownt@timesunion.com.
Ellie