Paddle for Heroes' 4th annual Race Day set

Editor's note: Stephen Fleming is founder and president of Paddle for Heroes. He can be reached by email at Stephen.j.f157@gmail.com.

This year, Paddle for Heroes is dedicated to helping people stay healthy and active and to continue to achieve our mission of helping veterans and first responders.

Paddle for Heroes is a nonprofit organization that is focused on helping veterans, first responders, and others get out on the water. Each year, Paddle for Heroes does several river clean-ups on the Mohican River, the Kokosing River and several rivers in Michigan. This is a great way to get out on the water and help keep our waterways clean. In 2019, Paddle for Heroes raised $35,000 to have an ADA accessible kayak launch installed at Ariel-Foundation Park and are currently helping raise funds for an ADA-accessible kayak launch at the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Join us for the 4th Annual 5K at Ariel-Foundation Park on May 14 at 9 a.m. This event consists of our 5K Run/Walk that will take you through beautiful Ariel-Foundation Park. The course will be a combination of trail and road running. You can run or walk and bring your furry friends, too. Register today at paddleforheroesmidwest.org!

Immediately following the 5K awards ceremony, join us for a social paddle around the central lake at Ariel-Foundation Park. We will demonstrate how to use the ADA-accessible kayak launch. Kayaks and canoes will be available for veterans, first responders and their families. The paddle will begin at 11 a.m.

There is more to come, and we believe this will be our best year yet. We hope that you can join us for this exciting event. Please follow our Facebook page or our website at paddleforheroesmidwest.org to see our upcoming events and news. If you are not able to attend, consider donating to a great cause. We hope to see you on race day.