The Soldier Ride Project
The Soldier Ride project was founded in 2004 by a group of people from East Hampton, New York who are coming together for the third consecutive year in order to show their support for our nation's armed forces. One of the Soldier Ride founders, Chris Carney, a bartender and local rugby player from Long Island stated, "When I helped found Soldier Ride two years ago, it was my hope that in partnership with generous individuals and corporations we would build a truly unique organization to assist the newly injured in their rehabilitation, recovery and transition back to civilian life at home."
Wounded Warrior Project and Soldier Ride, two separate not-for-profit entities teaming together to raise awareness, have been able to reach thousands of wounded service men and women providing comfort items, counseling, rehabilitation, peer mentoring and combat stress-symposiums with the hopes of helping the wounded recover. The Wounded Warrior Project, Soldier Ride and corporate America continue to make Chris Carney's hope a reality.
The Soldier Ride Mission
As a nonpartisan, apolitical organization, the men and women of Soldier Ride have a mission. The Soldier Ride mission is to raise public awareness and support for the needs of service men and women who have been severely injured in current military conflicts around the world. In order to bring public attention and recognition to the sacrifices that have been made by the newly wounded warriors, Soldier Ride cycles cross-country to raise public awareness and money in order to help fund various programs.
The Wounded Warrior Project's backpack program that began as an idea in John Melia's basement is one such program that Soldier Ride helps to raise funds for. John Melia, with the help of his wife, children, father and good friends Steve Nardizzi and Al Giordano, was able to raise an initial $5,000. In 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project put this money to use, and was able to deliver the first 50 backpacks to wounded soldiers. In the past three years, they have delivered over 10,000 backpacks. What began as an idea developed into a national effort.
Upon arrival at military hospitals with nothing but the clothes on their backs, the newly wounded soldiers receive these backpacks brought to them by the WWP. The backpacks are equipped with basic necessities such as sweat suits, toiletry kits, phone cards, playing cards and CD players that help to provide a bit of comfort as they face the discomfort and long journey of recovery that lies ahead. When asked how the wounded soldiers react upon receiving a backpack, John Melia said, "They are grateful and encouraged that the American people care enough about them to go out of their way." John tells them, "This is a gift from the American people." John and the Wounded Warrior Project want the soldiers to know that the backpacks are just the beginning, and that there are people who stand ready to help them in the future.