Patriots Honor Fallen Heroes, Veterans with Community 5k
The heart-wrenching events that occurred at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan in August 2021 undoubtedly made an impact on our nation’s freedom fighters, veteran community and patriots who support them. While the world watched in disbelief, many were inspired to take action and do whatever they could to remind the military and veteran community that they are important, honored and will always be remembered for their service.
One family located in Salado, Texas knew they had to do something to unite their community while also giving back, spurring the 1st Annual Warrior Angels in Boots 5K. We caught up with event organizer and passionate patriot, Kimmie Turk, on what inspired her and her U.S. Marine Corps Veteran husband, Corey Turk, to #LaceUpSalado.
Tell us a little bit about Warrior Angels in Boots and how it came together.
With a long line of military in our family, my husband, Corey, and I felt like we needed to do something to honor our military, veterans, heroes in boots, Gold Star families and other fallen heroes.
I had never run a 5K nor organized one, but the love I have for our country and people who fight for our freedom inspired me to get one quickly organized. The amount of support we received was overwhelming.
Why was it important to your family to select Boot Campaign as the beneficiary?
We believe in the importance of taking care of our physical and mental health, live that out in our personal lives and teach our boys that, too. Boot Campaign’s comprehensive Health & Wellness Program does just and was a perfect match for what we believe and who we love to support — our freedom fighting heroes.
How would you inspire others like you to create a fundraiser to support the veteran community?
Do something good. Do something kind. Do something that can help your neighbor and your community. Mental wellbeing is something that isn’t usually addressed but NEEDED, and people need to know that THEY MATTER. Let them know they matter by supporting an organization that understands they matter, like Boot Campaign. Get out and have a booth at a local farmer’s market, hand out Boot Campaign flyers at your PTO meeting, school or university, organize a 5K or a fundraising dinner/BBQ cook-off. It’s quite simple – do something you love that can bring people together to help one another.
Here’s what others in the Salado community had to say about the event, which resulted in a $5,000 donation to support veterans and military families in need of our individualized programs.
“Veterans are the backbone of our nation and we are PROUD to support Boot Campaign and Warrior Angels in Boots! We were thrilled to see the community come together to support our veterans and their families.” – McKenzie Teer, CEO, Tango Charlie Boutique (Veteran Wife)
“Everything that Boot Campaign Veteran Ambassador Tim Travis spoke about during his time on stage hit home. I’m the wife who loves someone with PTSD from war and we need Boot Campaign. I had never heard about them until this event, and I will show up and donate to every event benefiting Boot Campaign in our community to help people like my husband.” – Hailey Starnes, 5K Participant
“This was needed for our community and for me personally. Thank you for honoring our heroes and flying our red, white and blue so proudly. We were honored to donate all the Warrior Angels in Boots t-shirts for the 5K and can’t wait for the next one.” – Ted Sumners, Owner, Tex28 Apparel, Veteran
Register to join us at the 2nd Annual Warrior Angels in Boots 5K on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Not in Salado, TX but interested in hosting a fundraiser or event in your community that gives back to the veterans and military families we serve? We’d love to hear about it! Reach out anytime via our Contact Us page or fill out our event form linked here.
