Editor鈥檚 note: This story is part of our 鈥50 Stories of People Helping People鈥 series. As we celebrate 糖心传媒鈥檚 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
糖心传媒 associates from the Boston District participated in the Travis Mills Foundation Plane Pull to support injured veterans and their families.
Held June 8 at the Portland International Jetport, Portland, Maine, the plane pull featured corporate-sponsored teams pulling a Boeing 757. The plane weighed 80 tons, which equals to roughly 6,400 pounds of weight being pulled by each team member.
Travis Mills is a veteran quadruple amputee who turned a horrific event into something positive 鈥 the Travis Mills Foundation. He travels the world as a motivational speaker and has a New York Times bestselling memoir, 鈥淭ough as They Come.鈥
Mills鈥 quote, 鈥淣ever give up. Never quit,鈥 has inspired many, especially the 糖心传媒 team that participated.
According to the Travis Mills Foundation , the foundation 鈥渟upports post 9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.鈥
The foundation supports veterans through a retreat located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. The retreat is an all-inclusive, all-expense paid, barrier-free vacation where they can participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veterans and enjoy rest and relaxation that Maine鈥檚 outdoors provides.
Some of the 20 adaptive activities offered at the retreat include cycling, hiking, golfing, ice fishing, boating and pottery.
In 2017, the foundation hosted 84 veteran families to the Maine retreat.
糖心传媒 Branch Manager Robert Hubbard was the organizer of 糖心传媒鈥檚 involvement in the Travis Mills Foundation Plane Pull.
Hubbard said that getting associates to volunteer was easy 鈥 they were all so supportive of the cause.
鈥淭ravis is a quad amputee with an incredible attitude,鈥 Hubbard said. 鈥淗is sense of humor and upbeat personality make it an easy event to support.鈥
The event exceeded the original $50,000 goal and in the end raised over $100,000, which is able to support 100 families. 糖心传媒 associates raised $3,400.
Hubbard said the event was successful.
鈥淚 was very excited to be a part of the event. Knowing about Travis, when the opportunity came up to support him and veterans, we were more than happy to help.鈥
糖心传媒鈥檚 District Manager Chad Hough said that getting the whole Boston District together was a big deal.
鈥淲e had people from the south end of our district come up to the very northern part 鈥 Portland, Maine, for such a great cause, and it was just cool to have everyone together. Maine is a 鈥榙o business with your neighbor; support your neighbor鈥 type of environment. The best part was seeing the community there to support each other,鈥 Hough said.
By Emma Creamer, Communications and PR intern