Community Team Member Highlight: Karla Malone and her Dragon Boat Racing Team

How Did You Find Out About Hope For The Warriors®?  I

“I was wandering through the Marine Corps Marathon Expo in 2010 and saw their booth.  The shirt drew me in first, and then when I talked with the Hope For The Warriors® representative at the booth I knew I wanted to be a part of the Team.”

What Inspired You To Join The Team?

“The first thing was being able to give back to the heroes who sacrifice so much to keep us free.  Both my children have served in the military along with my dad and brother. The next thing that drew me in was the athletic program.  My love is to be able to train wounded soldiers to get back into athletics.”

What Has Been You Favorite Thing About Being On The Team So Far?

“Giving back to the veterans.  I love when someone comes up to me and asks me what Hope For The Warriors® is, what it’s about and how they can get involved.” 

Can You Tell Us A little More About Dragon Boat Racing? 

“Dragon boat competitions have been around for 20 centuries throughout southern China. It became an international sport in 1976. A dragon boat is powered by 20 paddlers, and also has a steers person and drummer. Tampa is becoming the hotbed for dragon boat racing. Several camps are held in the spring before the racing season begins.”

Can You Tell Us A Little More About Your Race On April 27th?  
“On April 27th, the dragon boat races are being held in downtown Tampa in conjunction with the Asian festival. It is an all-day event. The first race is for time to determine which division you are in A, B, C, or D.  Each division will have medals for 1, 2 and 3 places.”

How Long Have You Been A Dragon Boat Racer?

“I have been dragon boating for 3 years.”

What Motivates You During Your Races? 

“I love competing, whether it is dragon boating, triathlons, 5K’s or half marathons. I love the physical endurance and pushing each muscle to go a little faster and farther to reach the finish line first. To walk away with the gold medal knowing we worked hard and earned it.”

How Many Members Are On Your Team?

“I have 20 members on the team.”

Do They Each Have Specific Duties On The Boat?

“The boat has the two people in front who are the strokers who set the pace for the other paddlers; the middle of the boat is the engine. Each person is an intricate part of the team. The boat needs to have equal weight on each side of the boat.”

How Can Other Team Members In Your Area Get Involved In Dragon Boat Racing?

“Other team members in Tampa can contact me at malone.karla@gmail.com if they are interested in getting involved. Annual dues are a nominal fee of 115.00.”

Can Other Team Hope For The Warriors® Member Join Your Team?

“Absolutely! We welcome new members and encourage them to keep going.  Anyone is welcome to join the club. You can go to www.tampabaypaddlingclub.com to see more.  It is important to RSVP for a practice because seats fill fast in race season.”

April Newsletter

Hi Team! We hope that your training is going well and that you are out there enjoying the beautiful weather. Spring is finally here and that means race season has begun! April is a big training month for the Team’s race filled May. Here are some great happenings and exciting events coming up! 

2013 Marine Corps Marathon Registration

The Marine Corps Marathon sold out in record time, but we still have a few bibs left! Don’t miss your opportunity to run with us for the highly anticipated Marine Corps Marathon! This event makes for an exciting and super weekend for the Team! There will be an official Team pre-race dinner, an awesome breakfast with the greatest teammates at the Tent and a celebratory pizza party once you cross the finish line!  Hurry! Bibs are going fast! To register for this incredible race,  click here.

2013 Warrior Games

Some of our incredible Warrior Team members will be competing in the 2013 Warrior Games this May 11-16 in Colorado Springs, CO.

More than 200 wounded service members and veterans are expected to participate next month.  There will be five U.S. teams representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations, as well as one international team from the U.K.  Teams will compete in seven sports including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting-volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball.

Hope For The Warriors® is a proud sponsor of the 2013 Warrior Games Family Program. 

8^th Annual Run For The Warriors®

The 8^th Annual Run For The Warriors® Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1-Mile Walk/Run will take place in Jacksonville, NC on Saturday, May 18, 2013. This event is always very special to the Hope For The Warriors® family but this year, it will hold another very special place in our hearts. This year, the 8^th Annual Run For The Warriors® race will be held in honor of Rick Leipold, our beloved adaptive equipment specialist who we lost last month. We will honor Rick throughout the weekend of events to celebrate and honor his incredible dedication and support of our wounded service members.

To register for this incredible race, please click here.

Team Events Coming Up

Pittsburgh Half and Full Marathon, May 4-5 (Sold Out)

 TD 5 Boro Bike Tour, May 5 (Sold Out)

 Carl Hart Mother’s Day Duathlon, May 12

To register, please click here.

 Salute To The Military Sprint Triathlon, May 26

All Hope For The Warriors® family and supporters get 30% off their registration with code: hfw30! To register for this exciting event, please click here.

 GORUCK Presents: War Stories and Free Beer

Are you in the Washington D.C. area? Check out this incredible event, GORUCK Presents: War Stories and Free Beer on April 25th at 7p.m.

Over a decade since 9/11, still too little is known about what it means to serve in a time of war.  War Stories and Free Beer encourages veterans to share their stories with those interested in learning more. Tickets are only $10. All proceeds from War Stories and Free Beer ticket sales go to non-profits and charities chosen by the speakers.

To purchase your ticket, please click here.

Volunteer and Community Team member Highlight: Julie and Massie Fox

To  see what motivates and inspires two of the Team’s most incredible volunteers, please click here.

Quick Friendly Reminder About Sponsor Donations

We can’t thank you enough for all of your hard work and dedication to fundraising for our American heroes! We want to make sure that every dollar of your efforts reflects directly on your personal fundraising page. Make sure to encourage donors to go directly to your fundraising page by either following the link you provide to them or by having them look you up under the “Sponsor A Participant” tab for the event you are participating in with us.  By doing this, it will ensure that their generous donation is instantly reflected in your fundraising goal and counts toward your fundraising minimum.  If your donors choose to donate to the general organization but want the donation to be credited to you, please let them know they will need to write your name and the event you are participating in the memo of the check they send in or in the notes section of the general donation area on our website so that you get credit for the donation.

For more information, including where to send check donations, please visit our FAQ page.

 Memorial 100 Benefit

Volunteer and Community Team Member Highlight: Julie and Massie Fox

Julie and Massie dazzle while volunteering for the 2013 Got Heart Give Hope Gala

What Inspired You To Volunteer With The Team?

Massie:  “The fact that it helped veterans and their families.  It was a great way to support them as I participated in something I loved, running.”

Julie:  “I liked their mission, and I wanted to join so that I could help in whatever way I could.”

Which Race Has been Your Favorite To Date?  Why?

Massie: “The Marine Corps Historic Half because it was my first with the Team.”

Julie:  “Run for the Dream 8K in Williamsburg, VA, because of the nostalgia from running through colonial Williamsburg; also, because my husband did it with me.”

What Would You Say To Someone Who Is Interested In Volunteering With The Team?

Massie:  “It is a great experience and it makes you feel great!”

Julie: “It’s very rewarding when you go to the races and you see the people that Hope For The Warriors® has helped."

What Is Your Favorite Thing About Volunteering With The Team? 

Massie & Julie:  “The comradery and the positive outlook of the Team members." 

Massie and Julie celebrate at the Team tent after the Virginia Beach Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

How Did You Hear About Hope for the Warriors®?

Massie & Julie:  “The Hope For The Warriors® booth at the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon."

What Made You Want To Join The Team?

Massie: “The opportunity to help other veterans.”

Julie:  “I liked their cause and I could join a team where I didn’t feel the obligation to fundraise all the time.  It was great to know that I could wear the jersey and still bring awareness to their cause.”

What Races Did You Run Last Year?

Massie:  “The DC Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, The Flying Pirate 5K and Half Marathon, Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon, Run for the Dream 8K and Half Marathon, Charlottesville 10 Miler, Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon, Army 10 Miler and the Looking for Trouble 5K.”

Julie:  “The Cherry Blossom 5K, The Flying Pirate 5K, Nashville Rock N Roll 5K, Run for the Dream 8K, Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon, Army 10 Miler, Freedom 5K in Norfolk, VA, Looking for Trouble 5K and the Christmas Town Dash 8K.” 

Julie and Massie pose for a quick picture in their Team gear. 

What Is On Your Schedule This Year?

Massie & Julie: “Looking for Trouble 5K, Saint Charles Festival 5K, Parkway Classic 10 Miler, Run for the Dream 8K and Half Marathon, Run for the Dream 8K and Half Marathon, Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg, VA, Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon, Freedom Half Marathon and 5K, Christmas Town Dash 8K,  Philadelphia Rock N Roll Half Marathon.”

What Keeps You Motivated During Your Long Runs?

Massie:  “All the different people I get to meet and see; enjoying the beautiful landscape.”

Julie: “To achieve my goal, that’s it; fellow Team members too, they help you get through the tough moments.”

Do You Have Any Pre-race Superstitions?

Massie:  “I don’t have any superstitions, or traditions, but I do tend to lie out all of my gear the night before the race.  I like to put my bib on my shorts the night prior.”

Julie:  “I have none. I get up and go.”

What Do You Treat Yourself To After a Race?

Massie:  “A free beer and a big juicy burger.”

Julie:  “Same thing and chocolate milk if available.”

If You Could Run With Any Celebrity, Who Would It Be?

Massie:  “I’ve already ran twice with Drew Carey.”

Julie: “Princess Diana if she was still alive and (pauses) Jon Bon Jovi.”

Massie: “Oh since we are going there. (laughs)”

Julie:  “Kelly Ripa, Cher, Bette Midler, and Gary Sinese.”

Massie:  “Micah True”

Massie and Julie celebrate at the Team tent after the 2012 Army Ten-Miler 

What Is On Your Running Playlist Right Now?

Massie:  “I don’t run with music, I enjoy talking with other runners.”

Julie:  “Adam Lambert, Jon Bon Jovi, Cher and Bette Midler.”

Have You Always Been A Runner? 

Massie:  “I was a runner in high school but once I joined the military, I stopped.  I started training again about three years ago.”

Julie:  “I didn’t run, until I joined the military.  Then I stopped running after my second child, and then started again when my children were both in college, about twenty years later.”

What Race Is On Your Bucket List? Why?

Massie:  “The New York City Half Marathon, since I was young, I have always wanted to run around Central Park.  Also, the diverse group of runners and fans is intriguing.”

Julie:  “I would love to race in New York City. I don’t, per say, have a bucket list.  I plan to do races with Massie, but I don’t, necessarily, have any races I must participate.”

Community Team Member Highlight: Bob Garbett

Hometown: Richlands, NC

Occupation: Pastor and Criminal Justice Training Manager

Team Hope For The Warriors® Member Since: 2012

How Did You Hear About Hope For The Warriors®?

“The Run held at Camp Lejeune, NC in 2009”

What Made You Want To Join The Team?

“It was a way to honor the sacrifice our service members who have given so much.” 

What Races Did You Run Last Year?

“The Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, The Cherry Point Half, The Oak Island Lighthouse Half, the Run For the Warriors® Half, the Palmetto and Colonial 70 mile relays, the Neuse River Bridge Half and a few 5 K’s. One of those was the North Carolina Justice Academy Run Like You’re Guilty 5K, which was done to raise money for the Hope For the Warriors®.”

What Races Are On Your Calendar This Year?

“So far I’ve done the Myrtle Beach Marathon and the Gator Trail 50K. I’ve got a couple local 5K fundraisers, and the Oak Island Lighthouse Half Marathon, Run For the Warriors® Half, the Colonial 70 Relay and at least one more half and maybe a full in the fall.”

What Motivates You During Long Runs?

“I have some great friends who run with me and when I run alone, I just enjoy the gift of being out there – wherever that happens to be.”

Have You Always Been A Runner?

“I first started running while in the Marine Corps, then got slack. I had a heart attack in 2009 and thank God, there was no damage to my heart; however, it woke me up to get active again. I had signed up for the Hope For the Warriors® 5K that year. That was about 6 weeks after my heart attack and I had to walk it, but I did it.”

Do You Have Any Pre-Race Superstitions Or Rituals?

“Nah. I pray, before, during and after (especially the long runs).”

What Has Been Your Favorite Race You Have Ran? Why?

“I think my favorite would have to be the Colonial 70 mile relay. The camaraderie and the challenge of running as a apart of a team.”

What Is On Your Running Playlist Right Now?

“I’ve got everything from TobyMac and Mandissa to Boston and The Who, along with Nuttin’ But Stringz and some bagpipe music. It’s pretty diverse.”

Is There A Race That You Have On Your Dream Bucket List?

“I think the Marine Corps Marathon would have to be there.  Maybe one day.” 

What Has Been Your Favorite Thing About Being Part Of The Team?

“The support of the staff and others at the races.” 

What Would You Say To Encourage Your Teammates?

“I would just like to encourage everyone to keep setting goals and keep pushing for that next mile. Whether you run 1 mile fun runs, 5k’s or marathons, you’re still a runner – enjoy it.”