Walk or Bike to Help a Wounded Resident

On Sunday May 19, 2013, the H.E.L.P. Animals Club will sponsor a walk/bike-a-thon from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM to support The Tower of Hope. The goal of the Club is to raise $22,000 to train a service dog for a severely wounded veteran.

The Tower of Hope was established in 2006 in order to raise money to fund the extensive training regimen required of service dogs, and to pair those dogs with disabled veterans and others in need of physical and psychological support. After "graduation" from an approved training facility, these service dogs are provided free of charge to individuals whose lives can greatly benefit from having these amazing animals help them day in and day out. With these highly trained dogs at their sides, individuals who have suffered traumatic injuries, or have chronic or debilitating illnesses or conditions, can return to lives of greater independence and fulfillment.

The Tower of Hope rose from the determination of Cathy Carilli to memorialize the death of her husband, Tom Sinton who was killed on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. Cathy wanted The Tower of Hope to play a major role in helping those seriously wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to lead more independent lives by being paired with service dogs.

The route will begin at the Scarsdale High School, Brewster Road entrance, will continue on public road ways to the Westchester County bike path entrance near the Hitchcock Church and continue to The Rising 9/11 Monument at the Kensico Dam in Valhalla. The Rising commemorates the September 11 attacks remembering in particular the 109 Westchester County residents who were victims of those attacks. The memorial also includes the names of ten former residents of Westchester. Participants will then return to the High School using the same route in reverse. The round-trip distance is approximately 12 miles. Since the Bronx River Parkway will be closed from Scarsdale Road to the County Center from 10am to 2pm for Bicycle Sunday May 19 (weather permitting), participants may prefer to follow the Parkway until the County Center and then follow the bike path to the Kensico Dam. The event will be held rain or shine.

To sponsor one of the H.E.L.P. Animals Club members or to make a donation, please contact Laura Bell, H.E.L.P. Animals Club advisor via email at lbell@scarsdaleschools.org or by phone at (914) 721-2558. Please make checks payable to: The Tower of Hope. Proceeds are tax decutible.