This May, Paddle for Heroes will dedicate their 2024 paddle in honor of:
United States Marine Corps Corporal Nathan Anderson from Howard, Ohio.
Nathan was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was killed Nov 12th, 2004 by enemy action in Anbar Province, Iraq.
Nate enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2001. His service took him to 11 different countries. He was known as the heart and soul of his friend's group, and once said that hearing the simple phrase, “thank you” from other human beings not sharing the same language, made it all worthwhile. Nate very much enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowboarding, and bull riding. Nate, a big fan of Michael Jordan, played football for East Knox and wore number 23, which was the same number that Jordan wore.
Each year, the group joins with veterans, first responders, active military, and supporters to help raise awareness for the non-profit (PFH) and its mission; which encompasses the therapeutic healing benefits of paddling.
The 2024 team is scheduled to launch on Sunday, May 19th, at 7 AM. from Memorial Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio. This strenuous awareness paddle will consist of paddling approximately 30 miles daily and camping along the river each evening.
The tenacious group is expected to arrive in the Marietta, OH harbor and waterfront on Friday, May 24th.
Paddle for Heroes is a non-profit organization that is focused on helping veterans, first responders, and their families heal through paddling. Each year the group does several river clean-ups in the Muskingum Watershed.
*Paddle for Heroes team members state, "These events are a great way to include our communities and provide an opportunity for all to participate; while helping our rivers, environment, and nature stay pristine".
New for 2024:
Paddle for Heroes will host a healing three-day expedition paddle in Northern Michigan in July.
Some of the ways they (PFH) have already helped our communities far and wide.
In 2019 Paddle for Heroes raised over $35,000 to install an ADA-accessible kayak launch at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon.
The organization actively raised funds for an ADA-accessible launch at the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte Florida. This launch is scheduled to be installed early this summer.
Thank you for your support and your generous consideration of a donation.
Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to reach out to our heroes and their families.
To learn more, please visit our website at www.paddleforheroesmidwest.org
Contact:
Stephen Fleming
Founder and President of Paddle for Heroes