Schneider driver Dan McNeill helped organize a color run for his favorite veteran support organization, This Able Veteran. The run was held in May, and the funds generated were used to train services dogs for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The organization does not receive government funding, and the dogs are provided to the veterans at no cost.
Because of Dan’s involvement as race director and Schneider’s dedication to veterans, veteran charities and other charitable causes, Schneider’s Charitable Giving Foundation was happy to step forward as a sponsor. After the race, Dan, who is a veteran himself, said, “I want to thank the Foundation for their sponsorship. It means a lot to me to have the company I work for support something I believe in – and it makes me proud to work for Schneider.”
More than 1,000 people participated in the color run for This Able Veteran, a huge increase from 300 the year before. 2015 Ride of Pride driver, Jay Hull and his truck, Patriot, were also on hand to say hello to runners and veterans alike.
According to 2014 data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 20 veterans died from suicide each day, and untreated PTSD was a major contributing factor. Providing support and service dogs through a veteran support organization is one way to move those frightening numbers in a new and better direction.
Runners were encouraged to wear the photo of a veteran who had taken his or her life because of PTSD. Photos were snapped of those runners, and the pictures were sent to the veterans’ families so they could see their son or daughter has not been forgotten.
Dan summed it up nicely when he said, “It was a great day, and everyone is already looking forward to next year.”
