Tag Archives: Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month

Paralyzed Veterans Racing Team: Ready for 2013

Beimfohr_Paralyzed Veterans racing

Dedicated to a season of continued growth in membership and educational efforts as well as abundant handcycle racing success, theParalyzed Veterans of America racing team is eager for the 2013 season to begin.

For the first time, a winter training camp will be held prior to the start of the racing season. A select group of members will meet for a week of twice daily stamina-building rides, strategy sessions and team bonding in Tampa, FL, before continuing on to the Melbourne Marathon to be held February 3, 2013, in Melbourne, FL.

Racing team coordinator Jody Shiflett expects the training camp to propel the team forward into the new season and plans to make the camp an annual event.

“Work and other personal obligations make training and racing a different priority for each individual,” Shiflett says. “But at this camp, it will be the focus for everyone.”

Shiflett is quick to point out that not all members can race at every event. About 30 times yearly, Paralyzed Veterans has members at different races around the United States. Because of time and financial constraints, most members primarily attend races near their homes. Only two or three times yearly will the entire team race together.

Paralyzed Veterans Racing experienced more than 50 percent membership growth in 2012 and now has a roster of 130 members. Shiflett contributes the growth rate to the hard work of many team members who volunteer their time to hold educational clinics and workshops, and do recruiting, fund raising and bike repair.

Though volunteering is common among team members, certain members stand out in this area. To acknowledge these individuals, their dedication and their efforts above and beyond the call of duty, Shiflett created the “A” Team, initially appointing the first 12 members himself. However, the following year Jody turned voting over to the team and made the position peer elected.

Paralyzed Veterans underwrites a small portion of team members’ travel expenses to attend racing events. “A” team members, in recognition of their volunteer work, are sometimes eligible for a few extra dollars to offset some of their out-of-pocket expenses. Shiflett states that the few extra dollars awarded the “A” team is only a token and comes nowhere near off-setting the personal investment these members have put forth.

The 2013 “A” Team members are:

Joseph Beimfohr
Alfredo De Los Santos
Will Groulx
Geoff Hopkins
Holly Koester
Carlos Moleda
Robert Puckett III
Matthew J. Robinson
Jeff Snover
David Swaim
Scott Sweet
Keith Winchell

Major races for the 2013 season include competitions in Greenville, SC; Anchorage, AK; and the cycling national championships in Chattanooga, TN. The complete racing schedule is available on the Paralyzed Veterans website at this link.

 

Hertz Supports Paralyzed Veterans of America Through the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic and Hertz for Heroes Campaign

hertz supports paralyzed veterans of america and hertz for heroes

The Hertz Company raised $16,140 to support Paralyzed Veterans of America‘s Mission: ABLE campaign over the July fourth holiday weekend as part of the PGA Tour Greenbrier Classic and the Hertz for Heroes initiative.

“These funds are critical to help maintain the programs that help support paralyzed veterans and their families to live full and successful lives,” said David Zurfluh, member and National Vice President of Paralyzed Veterans. “Again, many thanks to Hertz for extending a helping hand to our disabled veterans this July 4th weekend.”

The initiative offered a charitable contribution to Paralyzed Veterans: $10 for every birdie, $50 for every eagle and $500 for every hole-in-one recorded during the 2013 Greenbrier Classic by PGA Tour professionals, of up to $20,000 through Sunday.

Greenbrier Classic professional golfers scored 1,494 birdies, 14 eagles and 1 hole-in-one, resulting in the $16,140 total donation from Hertz for Heroes.

“Events like these are a great way for us to tell our story and carry on the important work we do,” Zurfluh said. “This wouldn’t be possible without companies like Hertz Corporation.”

The Hertz for Heroes project was launched by Hertz employees with military backgrounds in 2011, when the company donated 40,000 free weekend rentals to military personnel returning home from overseas. The company has since joined the White House’s veterans hiring initiative and has launched a military hiring portal that enables veterans and their family members to view and apply for available Hertz jobs. To date, the company has hired more than 300 veterans.

“We are grateful for the dollars raised and the support of Hertz for Heroes,” Zurfluh said.

Learn more about Paralyzed Veterans of America

What is SpeedyTV? “the little man in the flying wheelchair,” is

What is SpeedyTV?

Paralyzed Veterans of America's Speedy logo

Speedy, “the little man in the flying wheelchair,” is Paralyzed Veterans of America’s national emblem, which came to life from a drawing of a Paralyzed Veterans of America member back in 1946.   Speedy is symbolic of energy, drive, happiness, admiration and guts!

Speedy TV is a way to catch up via video webcast on the latest event-specific information from Paralyzed Veterans of America. Via the links below, explore video from various Paralyzed Veterans events. The direct link to Speedy TV:www.pva.org/SpeedyTV.

Join us here at Speedy TV— your place for all the sights, sounds, interviews and exciting play-by-plays during the National Veterans Wheelchair Games!  View the flyer

Coming in July in this space: Speedy TV from the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games from Tampa, FL!

2013 Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month SpeedyTV at this link.

2012 National Veterans Wheelchair Games SpeedyTV at this link.

2012 Summit SpeedyTV at this link.