Forest Lake Runs for Wounded Warriors

Megan McDowell and her neighbors are spending the Fourth of July doing something to honor those who’ve sacrificed for America.

She is organizing the Forest Lake Community Annual Run for the Troops, a 5k Run/1 mile family walk benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.

“We wanted to give something back to the community. We came up with the Wounded Warrior Project,” McDowell said.

“We thought it would be a great cause and a way to do something fun,” McDowell said.

Last year, the guest of honor was a member of the Wounded Warrior project.

It was very moving, she said. It made her feel gratitude for the fact her husband came home safely after serving two tours in Iraq in the Army Reserves and grateful to those who’ve given so much to the country.

McDowell and Elina Klippel are covering the overhead costs so all proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

“It’s an organization near and dear to my heart for what they’ve done for returning soldiers and their families,” McDowell said.

Wounded Warrior Project supports a full range of programs and services for this generation of injured veterans and their families, according to the organization. Over 47,000 servicemen and women have been injured in the recent military conflicts. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a release. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment.

The Forest Lake Community Annual Run for the Troops hopes to raise $5,000, McDowell said. Donations can be made on the group’s website.

There were about 100 people who participated in the run and a family walk. Runners will gather early on the Fourth of July, before the Lake Zurich parade. The race is open to everyone.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. The walk/run takes about 45 minutes. Medals are presented to the top three men and women and there are prizes for kids. If you would like to run, walk or volunteer, contact the group at runforthetroops@gmail.com.

There will be a DJ and Lake Zurich firefighters are participating. McDowell hopes to get other people and organizations, like the American Legion, involved.

“It’s a great cause. It’s a great way to give something back to an organization doing great things. Everyone is positive about it,” McDowell said.

For more details on the race, visit the Forest Lake Community Annual Run for the Troops Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/events/132529350261333/?fref=ts