Salute to Veterans 5K Run- What to know before you go
The Salute to Veterans Run (S2VR) Run/Walk is a time-honored tradition and the longest-running Veterans Day 5K in Jacksonville. This being the 12th year of the event, the legacy of the S2VR has positioned itself as a premier event for the City of Jacksonvilleโs โWeek of Valor.โ
After conquering Atlantic, local rowers now take on Pacific Ocean in weeks-long trek for charity
U.S. Marine veteran Paul Lore, 60 of Fernandina Beach, and Mat Steinlin, 44 of St. Augustine, have teamed up again. This time for a 2,800-mile trek across the Pacific Ocean to Kauai to raise awareness and funds for K9s For Warriors and the Childrenโs Tumor Foundation.
K9s For Warriors donates dogs to beaches police departments
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. โ K9s For Warriors donated three dogs to beaches police. Jamie is going to Jacksonville Beach police, Duke is going to Neptune Beach police and C4 is going to Atlantic Beach police. The three police departmentsโ new additions will be referred to as station dogs. Duke is going to the Neptune Beach Police Department. โWe have a skyrocketing problem with first responder suicide, and K9s For Warriors has been watching this and we couldnโt sit on the sidelines any longer,โ Diamond said.
Second Lady Karen Pence in Jacksonville to launch military spouses program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Second Lady Karen Pence and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia visited Jacksonville on Wednesday to launch a new employee assistance program for military spouses, pet some K9s and sip some coffee. Pence spoke to military spouses at NAS Jacksonville to launch the Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) Program. It is designed to help military spouses advance their careers through training, workshops, and networking tailored to their unique circumstances. The owner of Social Grounds, Jason Kelloway, was presented a Second Lady coin and his wife and co-owner Mandi Kelloway was given a bracelet for military spouses. Penceโs visit supports her ongoing campaign to elevate and encourage military spouses while also recognizing their unique employment challenges.
K9s For Warriors brings doggies to the windows for seniors in Nocatee
Nobody knows that better than the folks at K9 For Warriors, an organization dedicated to training shelter dogs to become service animals for veterans. They were able to share some puppy love with the residents through window visits, while the residents remained in the safety of their own rooms. โItโs a lot of joy, just to know how much the elderly mean to people,โ said an emotional Deidre Strag, a K9s For Warriors trainer. โHeโs hope, heโs love, heโs understanding.โMiranda said the visit was meaningful for the residents. For more information on K9s for Warriors and the nonprofitโs mission, go to www.k9sforwarriors.org.
A thunderous start to Highway to Help heros
We are kicking off Sissines Highway to Help Heroes, in Partnership with Ring Power Corp., and SAC Collective. NASCARs Stewart-Haas Racing Team will bring a thunderous start to todays event as they will drive from Ring Power headquarters off International Golf Parkway to the Cowford Chophouse in downtown Jacksonville. 9 am The Stewart-Haas Driver arrives for media and photo-opportunities in front of the Ring Power headquarters. 10 am The car departs Ring Power and heads north along I-95 with a police escort and air support. I will bring you updates along the way on air and online as we hit the Highway to Help Heros.
Ponte Vedra veteran thrilled for chance to visit theme park with new service dog
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. A Ponte Vedra Army veteran who recently graduated from the K9s For Warriors training program with his new service dog, Chris, is looking forward to taking his son to a theme park. I believe having a service dog would calm my fears of going out in public, and instead of thinking about what could go wrong, I would be thinking about my service dog, Gabriel said. With my service dog by my side, it is my goal to take my son to a theme park someday.K9s For Warrior paired Gabriel with Chris, who had already completed formal service canine training. The rate of veteran suicide in our country is unacceptable, said Rory Diamond, K9s For Warriors CEO. After three weeks with his or her new service dog, the veteran has learned how to reintegrate into society and, most importantly, reduce the potential for suicide.