First Annual Warrior Weekend

Description

FIRST ANNUAL

Warrior Weekend

OCTOBER 4-6, 2024

In Collaboration with Team Maryland Adaptive Sports, Hogs and Heroes Foundation - Maryland Chapter 2, and CHEP
Click for Sponsorship Opportunities

What is Warrior Weekend?
The Mission is Simple – Support Our Vets!
Warrior Weekend is an event-filled weekend spanning Friday, October 4^th, Saturday, October 5^th, and concluding on Sunday, October 6^th.

Who Is…?

Frank Laguna & Family: Frank Laguna is a man of unwavering commitment and remarkable resilience. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 and is a combat veteran of the Iraq war. He continued to serve with the Marines until 2009 and then transferred to the Army, serving until medical retirement in 2014. Frank now advocates for veterans and their families, introducing them to the transformative power of Adaptive Sports. In addition to his military career and current advocacy endeavors, Frank is a dedicated father to four children: Allysium, who serves in the United States Navy; Antonio, Alejandro, and Aunabella. Frank is a devoted husband to his wife and caregiver, Candace Laguna. Frank Laguna's years of service and role as a dedicated family man reflect his strength, compassion, and unwavering sense of duty. His legacy of leadership, honorable service, and love will continue to inspire those around him for years.

Candace Laguna is driven by a profound desire to support others. She has dedicated her life to advocating for caregivers and military families. As an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow Alum, she tirelessly champions empowering legislation that raises awareness for military adult and child caregivers. Her commitment to the well-being of others is further demonstrated in her role as a Vail Veterans Adaptive Sports Ambassador and Blue Star Families Volunteer. In these roles, she advocates for addressing the needs of veterans by creating support systems that heal the entire family through activities and adaptive sports. Above all, Candace is the devoted wife and caregiver to Frank Laguna and the mother of their four children. Candace Laguna is deeply dedicated to supporting the military community and her family, and her enthusiasm is intensely felt by all who know her.

The Laguna Family Adaptive Sports Journey
Retired SSGT Frank Laguna served in the United States Marine Corps and the Army. During training, Frank suffered from a severe spinal injury that changed the course of his life. The injury led to debilitating mobility issues, multiple surgeries, and the need for limb-salvaging braces. Frank also struggles with the effects of a traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

Frank, like many military service members who suffer from service-connected injuries and illnesses, must learn how to live with the mental and physical health impacts of debilitating pain and physical limitations. Frank and his family were introduced to the life-changing power of adaptive sports with the support of the Veteran Affairs Adaptive Sports and Recreational Program and their collaboration with private adaptive sports organizations.

With the right adaptive equipment and the assistance of talented recreational sports therapists, Frank could participate with the family in every sport. With the proper adaptations, they can cycle together, take to the snowy slopes, and find new adventures to keep moving forward.

The Laguna family fiercely advocates for adaptive sports and is honored to have this annual event commemorate their family’s journey toward health. The yearly event stands as a testament and tribute to the power of adaptive sports. It provides an environment for veterans to heal from the wounds of war or service-connected injuries and for caregivers, friends, and families to heal from the ripple effects caused by their veterans' struggles. Adaptive sports allow veterans, their families, and supporting friends to participate in an active life together.

Team Maryland Adaptive Sports: VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events provides Veterans with opportunities for health and healing through adaptive sports and therapeutic art programs. These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life. The programs are built on clinical expertise within VA, with essential support from Veteran Service Organizations, corporate sponsors, individual donors and community partners.

The Hogs and Heroes Foundation: The foundation is a Non-Profit 501c3 community of motorcycle riders that support Public Safety, the U.S. Military and Wounded Warriors.  Hogs & Heroes sponsor and hold fundraising events for various Public Safety, U.S. Military and Wounded Warrior Charities.  In addition, the foundation performs Honor Missions for fallen Police Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Workers, Members of the Military killed in Combat Operations, and U.S. Military Veterans. Hogs & Heroes strives to set an example of good Citizenship.

CHEP: CHEP Inc., a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, originated in 1990 and is headquartered in Perry Point, Maryland. The organization has a mission with three branches; to Empower Patriots, People, & Professionals.
CHEP EMPOWERS Unhoused Veterans, and those about to be unhoused, by providing them with housing and by maximizing access to supportive services so they may create positive and sustainable change in their lives and in their communities.
CHEP EMPOWERS Unhoused Persons, and those about to be unhoused, by providing them with housing and needed resources. We support individuals, families, agencies, causes, and sister non-profits. We strive to drive action and present a united front against the root causes.
CHEP EMPOWERS Professionals by providing best-in-class educational seminars and programs that meet continuing education requirements. We also deliver conference management and overall consulting services. Our goal is to arm professionals with the tools needed to SERVE the Veteran and Non-Veteran communities.

Ticketing & Events

Friday, October 4^th, 2024
10:00AM-2:00PM: Adaptive Bicycle Fittings @ VA Perry Point Gym
**Registered Veterans Only - www.bikereg.com/ride-like-a-warrior**

3:30-9:00PM: Kick-Off Happy Hour @ Susky River Farm Brewery, Perryville MD
**Live Music, Meet & Greets with CHEP and Adaptive Sports, Giveaways, & More**

Saturday, October 5^th, 2024

8:00-1:30PM: Warrior Bicycle Ride for Veterans & Families @ VA Perry Point/Perryville Park
8:00AM | Registration
10:00AM | National Anthem & Send-Off
10:15Am - 12:30PM | Event Heats
1:00PM | Parade of Athletes
1:30PM | Awards Ceremony

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12:00PM - 4:30PM: Salute to Warriors Poker Run
12:00PM - 1:30PM | Kick-Off & Late Registration @ American Legion, Perryville MD
Stops Include: North East VFW, Elkton VFW, Port Deposit VFW, Nottingham Wawa, The Inside Scoop, & ending at Grounded Coffee Company, Perryville MD
Cost | Rider $25, Passenger $10, Car $25

Participants MUST check-in at either Jerry Skrivanek VFW (Port) OR Susquehanna American Legion between 12:00pm and 1:30pm.
At check-in or late registration participants will receive a wristband for the ride and their 1st poker chip (chips will be used vs. cards).
After check-in or late registration participants can go to the rest of the stops to collect their poker chips - Choose your own route or use one of ours.
Including check-in or late registration, there are (6) stops total.  Go to each stop to get a better chance at the winning hand. 
After completing your stops go to Grounded Coffee between 2:30pm and 4:30pm to draw your hand.
-Winning hand of 5 cards wins $250.00 cash prize
-Cut off at locations to collect a poker chip is 4:00PM!!
-Tie breaker to be determined by high card.  
-In the event of a complete deadlock/tie hand prize will be split.
Winner will be announced at the fire works display (entry at 6:00pm) at Calvert Park, 304 Brick Meeting House Rd, Northeast, MD.  Free entry to fire works with participation in Poker Run.  Keep your wrist band or parking placard to gain entry.
We hope you can join us, but WINNER NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN

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5:00PM - 9:00PM: Freedom Fireworks @ Calvert Regional Park, Rising Sun MD
Fireworks Show & Food Truck Vendors
Cost | Car $25, Free Admission with Purchase of Any Additional Event Ticket
**No Buses Permitted**

Sunday, October 6^th, 2024
12:00PM - 5:00PM: Close-Out Crab Feast @ The Wellwood, Charlestown MD
Ravens Game on the Big Top, Memorabilia, & More! 
AYCE Crabs, Shrimp, Famous Fried Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Maryland Crab Soup, Hush Puppies & More!
Beer & Wine Included
Cost | Individual $100, Couple $180

Additional Information

Susky River Farm Brewery
80 Alston Farm Ln. Perryville, MD

Jerry Skrivanek VFW Post 8185
520 Susquehanna River Drive, Port Deposit, MD

Susquehanna American Legion Post 135
300 Cherry Street, Perryville, MD  

The Inside Scoop
129 Strohmaier Lane, Rising, Sun, MD

Nottingham WaWa
100 Ponds Edge Drive, Nottingham, PA 

Elkton VFW Post 8175
208 W. High Street, Elkton, MD

Northeast VFW Post 6027
815 Turkey Point Road, Northeast, MD

Grounded Coffee Company
4899 Pulaski Highway, Perryville, MD

Calvert Regional Park
304 Brick Meeting House Rd. North East, MD

The Wellwood
523 Walter St. Charlestown, MD
 

Sponsorship Information
 

$15,000 | GRAND FINALE SPONSORSHIP

ONE AVAILABLE

10 Tickets to Firework Show AND Crab Feast Event
Full Page Ad in Event Program
Speaking opportunity during event ceremony (optional)

$10,000 | HERO Sponsorship

8 Tickets to Firework Show AND Crab Feast Event
1/2 Page Ad in Event Program
 

$5,000 | WARRIOR Sponsorship
6 Tickets to Firework Show AND Crab Feast Event
1/3 Page Ad in Event Program

$2,500 | CHAMPION Sponsorship
4 Tickets to Firework Show AND Crab Feast
1/4 Page Ad in Event Program

$1,000 | SALUTE Sponsorship
2 Tickets to Firework Show AND Crab Feast Event
1/8 Page Ad in Event Program

$500 | Virtual Sponsorship
Logo listed in Event Program

**ALL LEVELS INCLUDE**
Verbal recognition at the event
Recognition on the CHEP social media platforms and in the e-newsletter
Logo on our event website page and main website for 1 year
Headline placement on event signage

Proceeds will support two incredible organizations: CHEP, Inc. and Maryland Adaptive Sports, both dedicated to helping Veterans

Sponsorship Questions:
Please contact:
 

Yvette Valentin | 443.752.0900 | yvalentin@chepinc.org
Jack Berkeridge | 410.979.6225 | jberkeridge@chepinc.org

Thank you for your support!

www.chepinc.org