Students Cheer For Ride 2 Recovery Participants
Students from Florosa Elementary School, Mary Esther Elementary School, Fort Walton Beach High School, and Destin Middle School lined the roads waving with flags and signs as the Ride 2 Recovery participants passed by their schools.
Ride 2 Recovery supports physical and psychological rehabilitation programs for injured veterans, featuring cycling as the core activity. From indoor spinning training at military installations to multiday, long-distance rides, Ride 2 Recovery helps injured veterans heal through the challenge of cycling long distances using hand cycles, recumbents, tandems and traditional road bikes.
The Okaloosa County School District was presented with a framed jersey at the April 22 School Board meeting in recognition of their support to the Ride 2 Recovery Gulf Coast Challenge.
“We are here tonight to formally thank the Board, Administration, teachers and staff, and especially the children who helped cheer on and make the Ride to Recovery event such an important, meaningful activity for wounded soldiers from all over the country,” said David Lewis, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual of Florida. “It was absolutely a wonderful turnout that we saw in this community.”
More than 180 cyclists including injured veterans and their supporters set off on Sunday, March 4, on the Ride 2 Recovery Gulf Coast Challenge sponsored by UnitedHealthcare, a seven-day, 450-mile ride from New Orleans to Tallahassee.
“The Ride 2 Recovery Gulf Coast Challenge helps support important health programs for men and women who served our country, and we are honored to be able to serve them through this sponsorship,” said Lewis. “Exercise and rehabilitation services are critically important to help injured veterans enjoy a return to the health and well-being they richly deserve. We look forward to riding beside them and embarking on this Challenge.”
“One of the best qualities of cycling is that practically anyone can participate,” said John Wordin, president and founder, Ride 2 Recovery. “We adapt bikes for the injured veterans so they can once again find the physical and mental outlet, whether alone or in groups. As they rebuild strength and conditioning, they are also healing the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and depression. Cycling is a powerful therapeutic exercise that they can continue to do for the rest of their lives.”
About R2R
Ride 2 Recovery, a 501(c) 3, helps injured veterans improve their health and wellness through individual and group cycling. Cycling has proven to be a catalyst in the recovery process by providing a new physical challenge while concurrently helping to cope with the psychological challenges. For more information on the Ride 2 Recovery Challenge, please visit http://ride2recovery.com.
