Heroes Helping Heroes

Courtesy Photo | Service members from all branches pose for a photograph after the “Heroes Helping Heroes” fundraiser.” (Photo by Spc. Michael Martinez)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

10.18.2013

Courtesy Story

11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Last October service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines came together for a 5K run to help raise funds and awareness for Heart Heroes Inc.

The event sponsored by “Team Hyperion” of the 1-43rd Air Defense Artillery Battalion raised over $2,700 for the Heart Heroes organization which provides “superhero” capes for children being treated for congenital heart defects.

The inspiration for the fundraiser came from a news report that had aired on “NBC Nightly News” the segment was about Heart Heroes.

It featured Tandi Rasmussen of New York state, the mother of a 6-year-old boy named Dylan, who had received one of the capes as he faces his own medical challenges and ongoing heart surgeries.

After viewing the news report, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Shackelford and 2nd Lt. Rebecca Van Beurden contacted Heart Heroes and began planning the “Heroes Helping Heroes” event. With the support of local Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, and Army Commands, the event quickly took shape.

After receiving command approval to host the event, Shackelford and Van Beurden recruited the creative talents of Staff Sgt. Ryan Courts. His contributions to the events Facebook page design and local advertising resulted in the participation of almost 300 service members.

The air base commander along with “Team Hyperion” commander Capt. Khristina Allen opened the event with a few words about the Heart Heroes organization. On the command “Go!" the race participants started running, all of them wearing the name of a young heart hero living with a congenital heart defect.

“Heroes Helping Heroes” banner will be mailed back to Heart Heroes to be shared with their team of little heroes.

“This event was a great success and a great capstone project for Team Hyperion to wrap up their deployment on a positive note,” said Shakelford.

• Date Taken: 10.18.2013
• Date Posted: 11.18.2013 04:07
• Story ID: 116906
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)