A Commitment to Carry Forward: Why One Wounded Warrior Runs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2021) — Completing one Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Carry Forward® 5K wasn’t enough for Army veteran Andrew Coughlan.
He did one with some friends at his gym. Then he did one with his family. Then one with coworkers. Then one with a fellow veteran. Then another one with more of his family .
Five 5K events in 2020. One particular reason.
“I know that money is going toward programs that saved my life,” said Andrew, who was the top fundraiser in the Jacksonville, Florida community. “There’s still a need out there.”
Originally scheduled for in-person events in San Diego; Nashville, Tennessee; San Antonio; and Jacksonville, Carry Forward moved to a virtual setting in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. If it’s safe, Carry Forward will return to in-person events in 2021. But if it’s not, that shouldn’t stop supporters from participating virtually.
“You can do it on your own time, in your own place; it doesn’t matter where you’re living,” Andrew said. “You can get creative with it.”
Part of the creative element of Carry Forward is seen in the bib every participant receives. In the middle of it, big blue letters spell out “I Carry For:” with a blank line below. Andrew filled in a different group of people for every Carry Forward he did. And they were with him every step of the way.
“Even if you are getting tired, just look down at your bib and remember why you started,” Andrew said.
From looking down to looking ahead, registration is now open for Carry Forward 2021. All of the money raised from Carry Forward supports the life-changing programs and services WWP provides. Warriors never pay a penny for any WWP program or service because they paid their dues on the battlefield.
Discover additional ways you can give back.
Contact: Chris Obarski — Public Relations, cobarski@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.0823
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.