For almost 20 years, a local organization has dedicated its time to supporting veterans — whether it’s financially, spiritually or through rehabilitation. Now Caterpillar’s Seguin facility is giving them a little extra boost.
The local plant is hosting the Caterpillar Seguin 5K Power Race at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 8 at the facilities located at 1720 W. Kingsbury St., to benefit of the SS American Memorial Foundation.
The event will feature a 5K, which is open to all ages and will include awards by age group.
There also will be a one-mile family fun run or walk and a free kid’s fun run for children 12 years old and under, which does not include a t-shirt nor require pre-registration.
Additionally, the event will include a 10-mile bike ride that participants can choose to do instead of run.
After the race, guests are encouraged to head to the SS American Memorial, 450 Naumann Rd., for a barbecue and drinks sale to benefit the organization as well as music and fellowship, SS American Memorial president Craig Russell said.
“They stepped up and presented it to me at the beginning of this year to do an annual event,” he said. “We have never had any fundraisers facilitate all of the expenses that go to maintaining the grounds. Me, my wife and my family have funded all of these events and all of these things for the veterans for the past 18 years internally up until the nonprofit status, which we only formed in 2015.”
Russell said some of the assistance from the fundraiser will go toward maintaining the Lazy U Ranch facilities.
“The grounds are maintained extensively,” he said. “Last year alone we ran a little over 3,000 people through the place. We expect almost double this year. We’re also raising money for a large capacity restroom right now so that money will be used for that before we’ve outgrown our 239 septic system.”
However, the race will also allow the SS American Memorial to continue helping veterans financially, Russell said.
“While we’re a tiny org (organization) we do do a lot of very significant finical aid to organizations like the Fisher House,” he said. “Since January we’ve paid for a little over $2,000 to go the Fischer House for finical aid for the veterans to get into the VA (Veteran Affairs) center.”
Russell said the funds help put veterans in hotels the night before they go to the VA center.
“A lot of them have to travel out of town to get to the VA and they don’t have the money to get into a hotel the day before so this money goes towards things like that,” he said.
Furthermore, the foundation has helped the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 61, Russell said.
“It’s important for our foundation to see large corporations or large sponsorships come to the table and start putting these fundraisers together,” he said. “The only way it (SS American Memorial) is going to continue is because of these fundraisers. Having Caterpillar, especially being local, means a lot. Caterpillar has a large veterans program within their company and they’ve been familiar with our organization. In fact, they’ve had a lot of community service people from the Caterpillar plant come out and volunteer. They’ve been great supporters.”
The Caterpillar Seguin 5K registration fee is $30 for non-Caterpillar employees, while employees or family members can participate for $15 with two special promotional codes.
Registration is $35 the day of the event.
Participates can pick up their bib and t-shirts on Friday, April 6 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Caterpillar plant.
To register for the race visit, www.raceentry.com/races/caterpillar-5k-power-race/2018/register.
For more information visit, www.facebook.com/events/223885121502942/.
Originally Posted: Friday, March 30, 2018 12:00 am