A run for military families

Non-profit marathon hope to bring community together

The national non-profit Hope for the Warriors is scheduled to host their sixth annual Harmon Meadows Run for the Warriors on Sunday. The organization helps those in the military and their families move forward after they return. It provides programs to help with resumes, meeting others at community events, and physical rehabilitation.
The Run for the Warriors is a fundraiser for these programs. It’s open to civilians and military members and honors the men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The race is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 4 at Harmon Meadows Plaza. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:45 a.m. and all races will follow at 9 a.m. Runners and walkers will have a chance to compete in the 5K or a one-mile walk or run.

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“Secaucus is an awesome community, and those who attend help us bridge the education gap.” — Rebecca Herron
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According to Race Manager Rebecca Herron, the Run For The Warriors race series also provides wounded service members encouragement and the opportunity to pursue the sport of running, walking, or cycling to assist in their physical and emotional rehabilitation.
“The organization helps those wounded obtain equipment, like a hand cycle or bike, if they compete in a run or triathlon, so they can go out and compete in races on a national level,” Herron said.
“Secaucus is an awesome community, and those who attend help us bridge the education gap. They give us the chance to educate about Hope for the Warriors and their needs. They honor fallen soldiers who lost their life while fighting overseas,” Herron added.
This year the organization has connected and helped 5,000 individuals. “We want to keep growing these individuals onto whatever path they’d like to be on,” Herron said.
Harmon Meadows Plaza is at 700 Plaza Drive. Participants can register on-site between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. or at www.hopeforthewarriors.org/harmonmeadow. Donations are also accepted at http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org.

Family help

“Each family is very different, and we usually start helping with immediate financial need. We work with them to create a budget, how to keep track of it, and help continue budget revenue,” Herron said. “Let’s say they couldn’t pay their utilities. We help them understand why they can’t pay them, like maybe they don’t have a job or they can’t work right now.”
Herron said, “We help them get involved in their community, which helps the family transition out of military and helps them live in their community, and we help them transition for years to come.”

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