Operation Enduring Warrior Named Official Charity Partner for Warrior Challenge at Lake Barkley

Kuttawa KY Tourism, producers of the newly created Warrior Challenge, announced today a partnership with Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW), naming OEW as the Official Charity Partner of their 2018 obstacle race challenge to be held on Saturday, October 6 in Kuttawa, KY. In addition, they have partnered with Mark Ballas of Green Beret Challenge to produce this inaugural event. Proceeds from the Warrior Challenge will be donated to Operation Enduring Warrior in support of their mission to honor, empower and motivate America’s wounded military and law enforcement veterans.

"Operation Enduring Warrior is excited to have been selected as the Charity Partner for this patriotic and challenging new event series,” states Kelly Farmer, VP of Communication for the organization. “Our organization strives to assist our Adaptive Athletes in stepping outside of their comfort zones and challenging themselves in seemingly impossible ways. All of our programming is designed to allow our adaptive athletes to remain physically active and mentally challenged. We are delighted to cultivate this new partnership in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky and to help share our mission and grow our support across the nation. The 2018 Warrior Challenge fits well within with our programming goals and is a partnership we hope to continue in future years."

About Warrior Challenge:

Warrior Challenge Lake Barkley will host a fun and muddy 3k obstacle course/mud run designed by Mark Ballas of Green Beret Challenge. There will be an elite wave for prizes, open wave for the fun runners and finishing out the morning with a team wave. The course is laid out over several acres of rolling hills for a fun, but fast paced race.

“Kuttawa Tourism Commission is very excited to be partnering with Operation Enduring Warrior. Some of our commissioners are veterans so we truly felt compelled to have an event not only to honor veterans, but to also find a way to give back to these men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country - OEW has given us that avenue.” Says Mary Sewell, Director of Kuttawa’s Tourism Commission. “Former Special Forces Green Beret, Mark Ballas founder & CEO of Green Beret Challenge, is building the Warrior Challenge course for us. After a day in the mud, a music event featuring Shaman’s Harvest, 10 Years and All That Remains will happen that evening. It’s all being done to honor those who deserve it most. We really couldn’t be more proud!”

Register TODAY to run with OEW!

Live On The Lawn:

The fun doesn't have to stop when the finish line is reached! Complete your day at Live on the Lawn produced by Filthy Nasty Productions and hosted by Kuttawa Tourism. Join us for a concert featuring All That Remains, 10 Years, Shaman's Harvest, among others. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $30.00 in advance.

Concert tickets are ON SALE now: purchase here!

Follow the concert EVENT PAGE here!

Charity Partnership Raises Over $25K for Operation Enduring Warrior

A team of friends known as South Hills Association of Tailgaters (SHAT), who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, have proven their loyalty to Operation Enduring Warrior once again. Their Annual Golf Outing has raised more than $25,000 in total for the charity. Bruce Fuscaldo, a civilian, has participated in many events with OEW and is the key that has connected these two entities. Once introduced, SHAT embraced the need and will to support our wounded military any way they can.

The Annual SHAT Golf Outing held on July 21 has been hosted by Village Green Golf Course in Hickory PA four years in a row. The 2018 event provided a day of golfing, food and drink for the military-loving golfers. Through the event there were many donations and hole sponsors helping to elevate this year’s overall total of $7,500. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) donated $1,500 collaborated by Ron Bauer and Marcia Tongel, Noblestown Shop & Save donated water and soft drinks, Ted Thompson’s Heating and Cooling provided hours of planning and research plus a cash donation to make a great outing, all orchestrated by Joe and Tammy Speeler. Cart giveaways provided for the golfers in their SHAT drawstring bag included: Shat Under Armor hat, OEW wristband and SHAT golf balls. Additional funds were raised with the help of Asian Auctions by such prizes as an autographed football of James Harrison, a PS4, many restaurant gift cards, lottery tickets, cash prizes, and four fantastic baskets donated by Jason Oskamp from a high quality cigar basket to Pitt University gear.

Prior to the event start all foursomes posed for team pictures in front of an OEW backdrop. Each team member was presented a framed copy during the dinner. OEW representative, Jonathan “Hedgy” Pollitz, drove 2 hours from Cleveland to meet the golfers. He painted a picture of how SHAT contributions have helped change the life of one Adaptive Athlete in particular. He shared the story of Reuben who, once completing skydive training, was able to drop out of a plane with his girlfriend where he landed first and pulled out a “Will You Marry Me” flag. The ripple effect from SHAT to OEW has created many friendships and played a small part in a couple to be married.

SHAT initially started the golf outing for Harv Kappeler who served in Vietnam. His family continues to represent and honor his service. Four years ago OEW was added to the Promotional Golf Outing and is going stronger each year. This event wouldn’t be successful without the help of the many who coordinate all that needs to be done! Thank you goes out to: Krista Dankowsky for pictures, Christy Bonnetti & Kim Thompson for set ups, closest to the pin, and distributions of prizes, Mark Thompson and Paul Bonnetti for calculation of scores, Sean Williams who donated $1000 and produced signage by CDI Printing for Hole Sponsors, and John Butchko and Dan Savage for Public Relations & orchestrations.

SHAT is ready for 2019 already and striving to make more money and memories for our beloved OEW members!

OEW Named Charity Partner for 2018 Fallen Heroes Memorial Run

The Fallen Heroes Memorial Run, produced by Operation Valor Inc., recently announced their 2018 partnerships and has graciously included Operation Enduring Warrior in their lineup of charities once again. The Fallen Heroes Memorial Run weekend is planned in conjunction with the Dallas Spartan Beast held annually in Glen Rose, TX. The October 2018 event will mark the third year of involvement by Operation Enduring Warrior.

“We are so delighted that Sean and all the hard-working volunteers at Operation Valor have found our mission and fervor compatible with their own. It is always an incredible honor to be selected as a charity partner for an event. To be invited back, over and over again, is truly remarkable. We understand that donor resources are precious to every organization. That we have been selected again is not taken lightly,” says Kelly Farmer, VP of Communication for Operation Enduring Warrior. “The Fallen Heroes Memorial Run weekend has become one of the favorite annual events of our select team of athletes who have been lucky enough to make it for two years running. Our team sincerely looks forward to an incredible 2018 event.”

ABOUT THE FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL RUN:

The Fallen Heroes Memorial Run was founded in 2014 originally as the Chris Kyle Memorial Run. As the foundation and event have continued to grow the name has changed to reflect the expanding scope of the project. Operation Valor, Inc., producer of the annual event, continues to honor and pay tribute to Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, as well as to help veterans who are unable to return to us whole, either physically or emotionally. Operation Valor works year-round to identify and fully vet notable 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to providing service programs to assist Veterans in need. Operation Valor is a 1005 all-volunteer organization and was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service functioning as a charity under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to the organization are deductible as charitable contributions.

“Operation Enduring Warrior exemplifies everything that is great about the veteran community! Veterans’ taking care of their fellow brothers and sisters is a simple, but profound, thing. Having seen their selfless and tireless work with my own eyes time and time again, I can think of no better charity partner to have beside us than Operation Enduring Warrior.” said Sean Valigura, Chairman and Executive Director of Operation Valor.”

Join our teams on the course for this weekend of great adventure and amazing honor! Register TODAY!!!