Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, March 7, 2019 – Thanks to a generous grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, four adaptive military veterans living with paralysis will enjoy riding new hand cycles at national non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports’ May 3-5 Face of America inclusive cycling challenge to Gettysburg.
The Direct Effect Quality of Life grant from the Foundation allowed World T.E.A.M. to add four three-wheeled cycles to the organization’s stable of complimentary rental units for adaptive athletes. On behalf of World T.E.A.M., Larry Black from Maryland’s Mt. Airy Bicycles worked with Invacare to acquire the Top End Force-3 cycles.
The hand cycles will permit adaptive veterans to participate in World T.E.A.M.’s inclusive, 112-mile journey to the historic Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg from Arlington, Virginia. More than 500 athletes from across North America and Europe undertake the ride each spring, providing support for each other as well as empowering the nearly 100 participating adaptive veterans. Through the positive experience at Face of America, many of these veterans actively pursue outdoor sports and activities in the coming months and years.
Grants from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation empower lives nationally. The Foundation’s Direct Effect Grants fund organizations up to $25,000, supporting a wide range of projects and activities that impact individuals living with paralysis and their families. These funded programs are for short-to-mid-term impact within local communities. Since the program’s inception, 3,064 grants totaling over $24 million have been awarded by the Reeve Foundation. Funding for the current cycle of grants was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living Act.
“In the spirit of Dana Reeve’s legacy, and our ongoing partnership with ACL, this diverse cohort of grantees promises far-reaching outcomes and addresses deeply important issues of our day, such as sexual abuse prevention, LGBTQ inclusion, and adaptive technology to enhance independence,” said Mark Bogosian, Director, Quality of Life Grants Program. “We firmly believe that these projects will make a difference and positively change the lives of those individuals, families, and communities served by the work of these important and dedicated organizations.”
“We are extremely thankful to continue our storied relationship with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,” said World T.E.A.M. CEO and President Jon Brideau. “Once again, they have recognized our amazing mission and the impact Face of America can make on adaptive athletes. These hand cycles will all hit the road this May at Face of America. Our athletes will be well equipped on these brand new hand cycles!”
Registration for the cycling challenge remains open for all.
World T.E.A.M.’s Face of America is annually supported through generous sponsorship and partnerships. Presented by American Portfolios Financial Services, additional partners include American Airlines, Brioni, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cannondale, Capital One, Dell EMC, Devens Recycling Center, Flying Dog Brewery, ForeScout, KT Tape, Mt. Airy Bicycle Company, Navy Federal Credit Union, Penske Truck Rental, Pershing LLC, Sila Solutions Group, Spokes, and SUBWAY of the Walter Reed National Military Center.
About the Reeve Foundation:
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is a program of the Reeve Foundation and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (cooperative agreement number 90PRRC0002-01-01). For more information, please visit our website or call 800-539-7309.
