Becker’s ninth consecutive half-marathon continues to raise awareness and funds for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI
Raising awareness, raising funds ... Denise Becker of Lansing ran in her ninth consecutive Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon July 21 in Chicago, IL in an effort to raise awareness and funds for military veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Pictured above, left to right, are friend Josie Bloom, Denise Becker and her daughter, Jessica Verdon, the efforts of whom helped raise $1,925 matched by Becker Electric, with all funds being donated to causes assisting veterans. Submitted photo.
For the ninth year, Denise Becker of Lansing traveled to Chicago, IL to run the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon July 21 to raise awareness and money to help out military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Accompanied once again by her daughter, Jessica Verdon, and this year a good friend, Josie Bloom from Raleigh, NC, Becker continued to carry on with the motto of “If we send them, we must mend them,” taken from the book “Tears of a Warrior” written by Tony and Janet Seahorn.
This year, the efforts of the running trio raised $1,925, and with the match from Becker Electric, the grand total raised was $3,850, bringing the nine-year fundraising total to just around $38,000. All the money raised by Becker and her running mates has gone to help veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI, with much deserved appreciation for the support of the businesses, families and friends who provide the constant support for this awareness and fundraising effort.
This year, Becker says some of that funding will be donated to the Warrior Expeditions. This is an organization that takes the veterans who are suffering from PTSD and TBI and helps them to “walk off the war.” They do many long distance hikes and canoe trips to help veterans work through their issues, partnering with other veterans who have experienced the same kind of traumatic events to help make them feel comfortable and more willing to open up to each other. For more information on the organization, visit https://warriorexpeditions.org.
Some of the funding raised was also donated to the Puppy Jake Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans with disabilities by training service dogs. Puppy Jake is located in Des Moines but serves veterans throughout the nation. For more information, visit PuppyJakeFoundation.com.
Gas gift cards were also provided to the Allamakee County Veterans Affairs office in Waukon to help with expenses when traveling to appointments. Local veterans in need are urged to contact Heather Homewood at the Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Office in Waukon at 563-568-6135.
