One of the Travis Mills Foundation team’s favorite aspects of the Miles for Mills Memorial Day 5K is the stories of runners, walkers and handcyclists about why they run this particular race. For many, its personal.
Dawn’s Story
Blandon, Pennsylvania, resident Dawn Stern first heard about Miles for Mills through her experience volunteering at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat.
“I like doing 5Ks so I thought it was a perfect fit,” she said. “So I do it every year.” After hearing Travis’s story of recovery and resilience, Dawn felt moved to be able to help others just as Travis does.
“I was overwhelmed when I heard Travis’s story of what happened to him and how he chose to be better instead of bitter,” Dawn said. “How he chose to help others because of what happened to him. He can understand and empathize with them and give them strategies and help them with how to go forward.”
Because of her family history of military service, Dawn feels drawn to give back to organizations that benefit military families.
“My father served in the Marines in the late 60s or early 70s, my brother served in the Navy and in the Air Force,” she said. “I come from a military family and I appreciate the freedom I enjoy because of the sacrifices they made.”
The 12th annual Miles for Mills Memorial Day 5K, presented by New Balance Foundation, will be held Sunday, May 28 at Brunswick Landing, the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. The race will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. Registration is $35.
Register now for Miles for Mills!
About the Travis Mills Foundation
The Travis Mills Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports post 9/11 veterans who experienced life changing injuries while in service to our country. The Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat offers our nation’s recalibrated veterans and their families a week-long, barrier free, all expenses-paid experience at its world-class retreat in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. It offers various programs that help these brave men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation. The Foundation also offers Warrior PATHH (Progressive & Alternative Training for Helping Heroes) for combat veterans and first responders, the nation’s first of its kind program designed to cultivate and facilitate post-traumatic growth. Learn more >>>