The Hike for Heroes cocktail fundraiser was held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in New York City on June 15th. The CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods, Mitchell Modell, held the event for Iraq War Veteran Troy Yocum.
Troy Yocum, 32, decided to embark on an incredible journey to help raise awareness and money for military families. The project, which is sponsored by the nonprofit Solder’s Angels, assists returning war veterans and their families with medical, housing, and personal problems, so Yocum, his wife, Mareike, and their two dogs have created a mission to walk 7,800 miles across America in hopes of raising $5 million for their cause. They began the hike on April 17th, 2010, and plan to return home September 3, 2011. So far, they have clocked in at 6,400 miles, but have raised only $200,000.
After walking an exhausting 13 months and being hospitalized twice, the Yocum family was doubtful that their end goal could be reached. That is when Modell stepped in to help the family when he rallied friends and raised an additional $260,000 in three months.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Modell announced he will be asking the customers of his store, along with customers of other big-name retailers, if they would like to donate $1 to help military families. This small donation could accumulate the $1 million for the cause.
Also on Wednesday, Yocum brought his Hike for Heroes trail to the Big Apple where Modell had set up his welcoming party which simultaneously was a cocktail fundraiser. The family could relax knowing they were still raising money for the event, even if their feet weren’t in action.
With $5,000 raised, the Yocum family continued their journey the next day. As The Proclaimers would say, “I would walk 500 miles,” well the Yocum family can say right back, “and I would walk 7,000 more.”