One World Strong Virtual 5K

After a small group of us spent the weekend supporting survivors and the community of Orlando, we realized we have a bigger purpose. We are in a unique position having lived through such an awful tragedy to bring support and hope to others in the same position. It was a beautiful trip meeting with survivors, city officials and different organizations providing help for those impacted.  They were welcoming, incredibly thankful, and told us we gave them hope.  We would like to continue support for Orlando both remotely and in person during their healing journey and provide the same for those impacted by future tragedies. When events like San Bernadino, the Paris Attacks, the bombing in Istanbul, the Baghdad bombings or even natural disasters happen, we want to be able to help. We want to connect either remotely or in person with those suffering from these traumas and provide the survivor peer support that we found crucial in our healing. This will require the funding resources necessary to make it happen.

 We are continuing to make our way across the country after our trip to Orlando, thanking supporters, sharing our stories and paying it forward. So, to tie the two together, we decided a Virtual 5k was a great way to raise some of those funds. We want everyone to be able to participate and MOVE! You can walk, run, bike, swim, hike, do whatever activity you want to complete this 5k at your leisure and your own pace. Do it with friends, family or on your own.

The "race" will start the beginning of July and go through Labor Day. You'll have plenty of time to participate and to help us spread the word!

You will receive a one of a kind medal and be a part of an amazing journey of thanks, love and hope.

All proceeds raised above cost will go to the 4.15 Strong Fund, which will help us with the mission stated above. What is the 4.15 Strong Fund??

Mission: To demonstrate the healing process through the power of physical movement.

In 2013, the Semper Fi Fund began assisting survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings. Injured service members of the Fund felt compelled to be at the bedside of the survivors to provide mentorship and let them know that there is life beyond their injuries. To strengthen the bonds developed between the survivors and their mentors, the Semper Fi Fund holds an annual reunion of survivors, service members, doctors, nurses and police officers who all experienced that bombing together.

In addition to the reunion dinner, the Semper Fi Fund has provided direct assistance for service dogs, adaptive equipment and other support to the Boston survivors — all of this assistance comes solely from donors specifically restricting their donations to the survivors of the bombing. True to our name, Semper Fi meaning “always faithful,” we have made a commitment to the Boston survivors to always be at their side.

To further this effort, the Semper Fi Fund is hosting the 4.15 Strong Fund through our America’s Fund program and will be accepting funds that will be used to continue to assist survivors of the Boston bombings. Funds will also be used to support others, either remotely or in person here in the U.S. and around the world who have experienced similar trauma.