Runners and walkers will once again experience the thrill of crossing Fenway Park’s home base while supporting Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and their families in the fourth annual Run-Walk to Home Base Presented by New Balance Saturday, May 4, 2013.
This fundraiser supports the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, which provides clinical care and support to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and families affected by combat stress and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Event participants and sponsors have raised more than $7.3 million since the Red Sox Foundation introduced the event in 2010.
New Balance President & CEO Rob DeMartini joined Red Sox Foundation and Mass General Hospital officials, runners, veterans, and families this afternoon to announce the 2013 date and mark the Boston-based company’s commitment to Home Base.
This year, runners and walkers who register prior to January 15 will have a lower fundraising minimum of $750; all others must raise at least $1,000. In addition, the participant age limit has been lowered to 14 years old. Younger children can also walk if accompanied by a full fundraising adult and must only raise a minimum of $125.
“With our long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ending, it’s critical we recognize and remember our veterans’ service and sacrifices,” Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said. “This inspiring fundraiser allows us to say thank you, as a community, to our extraordinary service members. With the return of New Balance as our generous presenting sponsor, the 2013 Run-Walk to Home Base is off to a great start.”
New Balance is currently the only domestic athletic shoe manufacturer, assembling one-fourth of all shoes sold in the United States at five factories in Massachusetts and Maine. The global athletic shoe and apparel maker has sponsored the Run-Walk every year since its inception.
“As a Boston-based company and official military apparel and footwear provider, we are proud to return as presenting sponsor of this unique event that supports valuable services for New England veterans and families,” New Balance President and CEO Rob DeMartini said. “We are excited to promote the event at our New Balance Boston store in Copley Square, and look forward to welcoming both runners and walkers at Fenway Park next May.”
“The support of Run-Walk to Home Base participants and sponsors has allowed the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program to offer care to veterans, regardless of discharge status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay,” said Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack A. Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base. “We’ve also provided education on the invisible wounds of war to more than 5,000 clinicians across the country and hundreds of school nurses, employers, and first-responders in Massachusetts.”
New Hampshire-based global defense contractor BAE Electronic Systems, a four-year sponsor of the Run to Home Base, is also returning for the 2013 event, and is a major corporate supporter of the free and confidential clinic and family program. On the morning of the Run, BAE sponsors the Military Appreciation area where fans waiting for their loved ones to cross home plate can make care packages for troops.
“BAE employees are proud to participate in the Run-Walk each year as runners and as volunteers,” said Lu Goncalves-Getty, Director of Strategic Philanthropy. “But more importantly, we are proud to serve those who serve and protect us. Through our multi-year support for the Red Sox Foundation and Mass General Hospital Home Base Program, we can help ensure local veterans with PTS or TBI and their families get the treatments and counseling they deserve and have earned.”
BAE Systems is a global defense, aerospace, and security company employing around 93,500 people worldwide. The Electronic Systems sector, headquartered in Nashua, N.H., has operations spanning commercial and defense electronics markets. It offers a broad portfolio of mission critical electronic systems from flight and engine controls to electronic warfare and night vision systems, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, secure networked communications equipment, and power and energy management systems.
Event registration and information is available at www.runtohomebase.org. All donations towards runners and walkers are tax deductible and benefit the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. Donations via check can be sent to the Red Sox Foundation/Home Base Program, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston MA 02215.
Participation in the 2013 event is limited to 4,000 entrants. The 9K Run is 5.6 miles and the walk is approximately 2 miles. Up to 500 full-time active duty military can enter the Run-Walk for just a $50 registration fee; more details will be released in early 2013.
In addition to providing clinical care, counseling and support services to its clients, the program provides community education on the “invisible wounds of war” and supports research to improve understanding and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and TBI.
Other official Run-Walk sponsors include: Our Family for Families First, a Rhode Island nonprofit providing scholarships to veterans and families; Boston Duck Tours; new sponsor Bank of America; and the New England Sports Network.
More than 2.2 million men and women have served in the U.S. military during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, which began during the 2001 War on Terror. It is estimated that one in three veterans will experience post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. Some 800,000 service members experienced multiple combat deployments. The Massachusetts Office of Veterans Services estimates 37,000 Massachusetts residents served during the past ten years as active duty, guard and reserve. Some 13,000 Massachusetts children have a parent on active duty.
Fundraising prizes will be given to Run-Walk participants in several categories. For information on corporate sponsorships, please contact Gena Borson at the Red Sox Foundation (617-226-6614, Gborson@redsox.com) or Tracy West at Massachusetts General Hospital (617-643-6789, ).
Race consulting for the 2013 Run-Walk to Home Base Presented by New Balance is provided by DMSE, Inc., with fundraising, website design and operations provided by Forte Interactive, Inc. The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital thank Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for their expert event assistance.
For more information about the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, please visit www.redsoxfoundation.org and www.massgeneral.org.
