As of the start of Sept. 11, the nine-member team had raised nearly $1,700 in pledges, ranking them fourth overall among participating teams in the fundraiser.
During the month, the team is logging fitness miles running, walking or biking for the GallantFew cause, which aids programs for veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
“We have several members in our police department who are currently serving or in the past have served in the military. This is one way we can show support for them and others who have served,” said Bre Nieland, SLPD detective and captain of the department’s Run Ranger Run team.
It’s not difficult to convince fellow officers to take part. “When we ask if they want to do it, they are pretty excited about it,” she said. “In fact, we have a retired member of the department – Todd Erskine – who wanted to be a part of the team along with our current officers.”
With the weather being so nice, many of the team members are logging their miles outdoors, but for those who prefer, miles on a stationary bike or treadmill can also be counted, so effort can go on no matter the conditions.
Since 20120, the GallantFew organization has provided more than 5,000 veterans’ self-training, coaching and counseling programs designed to provide veterans in need with increased hope and purpose. Ten percent of the funds raised go to the United States Army Rangers Assistance Fund to meet immediate needs of Army Rangers and their families.
GallantFew’s fall veteran fundraising event was created to honor and continue the mission of U.S. Army Ranger veteran Cory Smith. In 2012 Cory ran, walked, and biked 565 miles from Fort Benning, Georgia, to his home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Cory’s objective was to educate the public on the difficult journey a soldier faces to reintegrate back into civilian life. Run Ranger Run continues the mission.
Anyone who would like to donate to support the SLPD’s fundraising effort can do so online at https://give.gallantfew.org/team/525409, or by sharing the word about the department’s efforts.
For more information on the Run Ranger Run effort, see https://gallantfew.org/runrangerrun/