Sportsgrants awards $100,000 to Camp Patriot
FallOut CrossFitters, be PROUD! You generously gave funds and yourselves in a workout to Fight Gone Bad on September 17th, 2011. The Sportsgrants Foundation has awarded $100,000 to Camp Patriot. November 13th will be a very special day, as the funds will be presented at the Seattle Seahawks vs Ravens football game.This is the largest donation Camp Patriot has received and these funds will be used to help disabled veterans participate in outdoor adventures, as highlighted in an article in the Tri-City Herald:
Camp Patriot receives its largest donation: $100,000
By Kristi Pihl, Tri-City Herald
Camp Patriot’s largest donation to date will help disabled veterans participate in their outdoor adventures.
The nonprofit will receive $100,000 from the Sportsgrants Foundation of Hood River, Ore., after winning the grant via Facebook votes.
Micah Clark, founder and executive director, said the group hopes to put $50,000 toward next year’s outdoor adventure missions.
Camp Patriot serves anywhere from 50 to 100 disabled veterans a year, coordinating adventures for them such as climbing Mount Rainier, hunting, driving high performance race cars and flying motorized gliders.
The nonprofit’s goal is to offer outdoor recreational therapy for veterans, Clark said.
For example, Clark recently returned from elk hunting in Utah with an Air Force veteran who had lost his sight and left arm. Clark said the man was able to take down a big bull elk using a camera system on the gun.
The remaining $50,000 Clark hopes to earmark for land to build the lodge he hopes to eventually open in Montana.
Camp Patriot would have about 1,000 veterans a year visit the “sportsman’s paradise” and lodge, Clark said.
It would be the nonprofit’s first land purchase. The nonprofit is based in Libby, Mont., although Clark is a Richland resident.
It’s huge to take a veteran who has been injured and have him or her be able to accomplish something many able-bodied people can’t, Clark said. It shows that veteran what his or her baseline is again and helps with recovery.
Camp Patriot helps veterans from across the nation, no matter what conflict the veteran served in.
Clark, a Navy veteran, said he was blessed to come back with his arms and legs after serving in places such as Afghanistan and wanted to give back.
The grant comes from the fundraiser the Sportsgrants Foundation held at CrossFit gyms around the world called Fight Gone Bad.
Janet Wilson, a volunteer for the nonprofit, heard about the challenge at Fall Out CrossFit Gym in Richland and helped Camp Patriot get in the running with a nomination, Clark said.
Camp Patriot will receive the check before the Seattle Seahawks-Baltimore Ravens game Nov. 13.
Clark said the group is getting ready to launch the Friends of Camp Patriot campaign shortly, where it will try to get people willing to donate at least $5 per month to the nonprofit.
With donations, 90 cents for each dollar donated goes directly to services, Clark said.
“We just appreciate all the support,” he said.
To help
To donate to Camp Patriot, go to camppatriot.org, or send a check to CAMP PATRIOT, P.O. Box 627, Libby, MT 59923-0627.
