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Announcing APK Charities fundraising partnership with the 2022 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program

APK Charities’ fundraising partnership results with the 2023 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity!

Dear Friends, This year was APK CHARITIES our first fundraising partnership with Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program, which raised over $3200!  The Birdies for Charity program provides 501(c)(3) organizations…

Announcing APK Charities fundraising partnership with the 2022 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program

Announcing the APK Charities’ fundraising partnership with the 2023 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program!

DONATE TODAY to APK Charities via a fundraising partnership with the 2023 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity! Dear Friends, APK CHARITIES is excited to announce our fundraising partnership with the…

Bataan Memorial Death March: Honoring a Fellow Fallen Soldier

Bataan Memorial Death March: Honoring a Fellow Fallen Soldier

On March 19th, New Fairfield resident and Army veteran Matt Hubert and 14 other team members had the honor and privilege of participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March (BMDM)…

Matt and Ashley Hubert | APK Charities

The Hubert Brothers March the Bataan Memorial Death March to Raise Funds for APK

Three brothers…Matt, Rob, and Jake Hubert have formed three wonderful teams, with five participants in each team…to march in this year’s Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile…

Bataan Memorial Death March Apparel from Nine Lines to benefit APK Charities

Limited Edition Nine Line Apparel available only until Feb. 27, 2023

(Buy Now!) Designed specifically for the 2023 Bataan Death March in New Mexico in March, these limited edition Nine Line x APK Charities garments honor the memory of the heroic…

"Major" – Dog Walk 2022 to benefit APK Charities

Dog Walk 2022

Dog Walk 2022 is a family-friendly, free art FUNdraiser twelve (12) canines creatively painted by local artists and sponsored by businesses to benefit charitable organizations directly. The painted dogs can…

Helen Pedersen-Keiser, Gold Star Mother of CPT Andrew Pedersen-Keel, interviewed by WFSB's Eric Parker on Sunday Spotlight.

Eric Parker of WFSB’s Sunday Spotlight Interviews Helen Pedersen-Keiser

Helen Pedersen-Keiser, Gold Star Mother of CPT Andrew Pedersen-Keel, interviewed by WFSB’s Eric Parker on Sunday Spotlight.

The Desert Eagles Nest Thrift Store where all proceeds go to the APK Charities Direct Assistance Program

The Desert Eagles Nest Thrift Store Has Moved – Now located at 1 Orchard Park Road, Unit 5, Madison, CT

The Desert Eagles Nest Thrift Store where all proceeds go to the APK Charities Direct Assistance Program Located at 1 Orchard Park Road, Unit 5, Madison, CT, it’s a store…

Helen Pedersen-Keiser is the president of the Connecticut Department of the American Gold Star Mothers

APK Charities Founders Attend Dedication Celebration for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Berlin, CT

A new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (GSFMM) honoring the families of servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military has been erected in Berlin Connecticut.…

Pampered Chef: Shop Today for APK!

Pampered Chef: Shop Today for APK!

Join an online Pampered Chef party from March 5th through the 13th to benefit APK! Every penny earned goes directly to APK’s Direct Assistance Program helping CT Veterans in need.…

APK Charities' Bob Keiser and New England Patriots' Robert Kraft at the Myra Kraft MVP Awards

APK Charities is a Proud Recipient of the 2021 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award

APK Charities is a proud recipient of the 2021 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award! It’s awarded to “those who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through…

The Big WEHA Bear Fair Sneak Peek

Get set for The Big ‘WEHA Bear Fair Reveal’

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.—The 2021 WEHA Bear Fair will officially dance into town in just a few weeks. But organizers are so excited, they couldn’t resist the temptation to get the…

Helen Pederen-Keiser was recently interviewed by NBC Connecticut regarding the heartbreak that's unfolding in Afghanistan.

NBC-30: Connecticut Gold Star Family Disheartened by Scenes in Afghanistan

Helen Pederen-Keiser was recently interviewed by NBC Connecticut regarding the heartbreak that’s unfolding in Afghanistan. Please see the video below. “A Connecticut family whose son was killed in the War…

Wallingford Lions Club scholarship recipient Torres Alexandra

Torres Munoz Alexandra is recipient of Wallingford Lions Club scholarship on behalf of APK Charities

On behalf of APK, the Wallingford Lions Club awarded a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving student, Torres Munoz Alexandra, in Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel’s name. This scholarship is awarded to a…

Thank you, NYPD and Goldstar family of Duane Cantrell

Thank you, New York and the Goldstar Family of CW2 Duane Cantrell

From APK Charities, thank you so much to the NYPD and the NYPD Harbor Police. You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for supporting APK Charities and Goldstar families.…

APK Charities General Fund in Memory of Captain Andrew M Pedersen-Keel, Special Forces

APK Charities Ruck March: “It helped us have purpose again”

380-mile trek traces life of state native, Andrew Pedersen-Keel, killed in Afghanistan A group of about a dozen people began a 380-mile journey Tuesday, and not by car, train, bus…

CT soldier Andrew Pedersen-Keel to be honored at NASCAR race

CT soldier Andrew Pedersen-Keel to be honored at NASCAR race

Fallen CT soldier to be honored at NASCAR race by Meghan Friedmann [email protected] Reprinted with permission A local fallen soldier is getting a special honor this Memorial Day: Army Capt.…

AmazonSmile will now contribute a percentage of your Amazon purchases directly to APK Charities.

You shop. AmazonSmile gives to APK Charities!

A donation that doesn’t cost you a penny — Amazon Smile AmazonSmile will now contribute a percentage of your Amazon purchases directly to APK Charities. It costs you nothing; the…

Bob and Helen hold up the sign for the section of Rte 79 named after their son, Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel

Shoreline Times: Ruck 2 Remember in Guilford Nov. 2 in honor of Madison Army Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel

By Sarah Page Kyrcz Oct 29, 2019 Reprinted with permission GUILFORD — On your mark, get set, ruck! When the sixth annual APK 5K Run/Ruck/Walk and Kids Fun Run at…

Helen and Bob packing boxes with Jan Cameron.

Shoreline group provides deployed soldiers with the comforts of home

By Sarah Page Kyrcz of the Shoreline Times | Reprinted with permission. MADISON — Soldiers deployed overseas often hanker for the creature comforts of home, such as coffee, tea, beef…

Mission to Honor Gold Star Families Comes to Connecticut Shoreline

During visits to all 50 states, retired Navy veteran Keith Sherman met with the parents of Army Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel in Madison By Justin Schecker, Reporter, NBC Connecticut Published Jun…

U.S. Navy 4 Star Admiral William H. McRaven speaks to Gold Star Families at the Brian R. Bill Memorial Golf Tournament

U.S. Navy 4 Star Admiral William H. McRaven speaks to Gold Star Families at the Brian R. Bill Memorial Golf Tournament

U.S. Navy 4 Star Admiral William H. McRaven speaks to Gold Star Families at the Brian R. Bill Memorial Golf Tournament Bob and Helen recently attended the Brian R. Bill…

Helen Keiser-Pedersen, Gold Star Mother of CPT Andrew Pedersen-Keel speaks at Memorial Day Parade, Madison, CT

Helen Pedersen-Keiser, Gold Star Mother, speaks at Memorial Day Parade, Madison, CT

Helen Pedersen-Keiser, Gold Star Mother of CPT Andrew Pedersen-Keel speaks at Memorial Day Parade, Madison, CT. Please follow this link for the video. Thank you, Dottie Packer, for the video.

Celebrate Andrew Pedersen-Keel's birthday with free hero WODs at the CrossFit New Haven at District Athletic Club in New Haven, CT

Celebrate Andrew Pedersen-Keel’s birthday with free hero WODs at CrossFit New Haven

June 8, 2019 would have been PK’s 35th birthday. We’re celebrating by having hero WODs at CrossFit New Haven at the District Athletic Club in New Haven, CT. What is…

Bob and Helen attend Tuesday’s Children fundraiser at the Plandome Country Club

Bob and Helen attend Tuesday’s Children fundraiser at the Plandome Country Club

Bob and Helen attended last week’s Tuesday’s Children fundraiser at the Plandome Country Club. This organization supports 9/11 families and first responders, assists Military Families of the Fallen, and is…

Limited edition Nine Line Apparel T-shirts with the motto "Never Falter. Never Quit" are now available to order! Nine Line Apparel has generously donated 100% of the proceeds to APK Charities.

Limited Edition Nine Line T-Shirts “Never Falter. Never Quit” Now Available

Limited edition Nine Line Apparel T-shirts with the motto “Never Falter. Never Quit” are now available to order! Nine Line Apparel has generously donated 100% of the proceeds to APK…

APK Charities moneys are helping the police in Shirley, IN purchase a ballistic vest for Officer K9 Tiebo.

Together with APK Charities, your generosity helps keep K9s safe!

Emily Grey of Spike’s K9 Fund was nice enough to write to us to tell us how (and who) APK Charities moneys are helping. One lucky recipient is a K9…

Helen and I and APK Charities pledge to be a source of support for their families of team ODA 3126

We mourn the passing of the men of ODA 3126

Our hearts are broken. The brave men of ODA 3126 are America’s finest citizens and soldiers. Andrew was a proud member of this team until 11 March 2013. The men…

We have some really exciting news about this year's APK 5K. Some special guests will be dropping in. And when we say “dropping in,” we really mean it.

APK 5K: The Black Daggers will “drop in”

We have some really exciting news about this year’s APK 5K. Some special guests will be dropping in. And when we say “dropping in,” we really mean it. The U.S.…

Hartford Yard Goats Baseball on Thursday, July 26, 2018. The proceeds go to APK Charities.

APK Charities Fundraiser @ Hartford Yard Goats!

As part of their Gold Star Military Recognition, the Hartford Yard Goats have generously offered to have an “APK Charities Night” where a portion of ticket purchases will support APK Charities.…

APK 5K 2017 Results

Who came in first? Who won the Ruck March civilian award? Which military team took home the APK 5K Military Ruck March award mounted with Andrew’s Special Forces Yarborough Knife?…

Helen and Bob and Shoreline Community Gathers in Madison, CT to Unveil a Gold Star Memorial in memory of Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel, Special Forces

Shoreline Community Gathers to Unveil Gold Star Memorial

Originally posted on Zip06.com, reprinted with permission. By Zoe Roos, Staff Writer Published September 26, 2017. Last updated 03:46 p.m., September 26, 2017 It’s said there is no greater pain…

Helping Southern Comfort Care, Inc. Can Help APK Charities Reach our Goals when Southern CC dedicates their renovated home to Andrew Pedersen-Keel

Helping Homeless Vets Can Help APK Charities Reach our Goals

Tony U. Brown is missing his right thumb. It was smashed by a pallet at Camp Dahlke in Afghanistan while he was running as an incoming alarm sounded. He thought…

Helen and Bob of APK Charities in Memory of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel

A Great Big Thank You from Bob and Helen, plus… Race Results!!!

To our APK 5K, 5K Ruck March and Kids Fun Runparticipants, volunteers and Guilford residents, The APK Charities Board of Directors wishes to say a heartfelt thank you for your…

Zip06: Helen Pedersen Keiser: Keeping the Spirit of Her Hero Son Alive

If ever there was an article to read about Andrew Pedersen-Keel, this one is it… from Zip06, Helen Pedersen Keiser: Keeping the Spirit of Her Hero Son Alive. So very…

Run or march in the APK 5K for a really good cause but get something else in return… one of the best T-shirts! And great food at the after-party!

Run the APK 5K for a Good Cause… and for the T-shirt and the After-Party!

We all know that running or marching in the APK 5K is for a really good cause. And we hope that it warms the cockles of your heart to help…

Helen and Bob with Gary Sinise at the Thayer Award ceremonies.

Bob and Helen Met Gary Sinise!

Bob and Helen were invited guests of the West Point Association of Graduates. As such, they attended the Thayer Award ceremonies honoring Gary Sinise. They met Mr. Sinise and took this…

It's the last leg of Bob's Coast x Coast trip honoring Andrew Pedersen-Keel and today, he visited Fort Bragg… the largest military base in the world.

Bob Visits Fort Bragg on his Coast x Coast Journey

It’s the last leg of Bob’s Coast x Coast trip honoring Andrew Pedersen-Keel and today, he visited Fort Bragg… the largest military base in the world (with more than 50,000…

WJHG Reports on Our Coast x Coast Riders

WJHG in Florida reports on APK’s Bob Keiser and the rest of the Coast x Coast crew:

Bob Presents CrossfitVanZandt and First State Bank of Ben Wheeler with APK Commendations

Greetings from Bob in Canton, TX! We’ll let Bob tell you in his own words what’s happening in Canton, TX today… We rode out to Canton, TX for for a…

Coast x Coast Riders with their Heritage Flags

Members of the CoastxCoast family post with Heritage flags that are given away on the 2016 route in Dallas on September 1. APK’s Bob Keiser is on the far right…

APK Charities Bob Keiser at Pike’s Peak!

Whoo hoo! Bob’s seeing the sites on his Coast x Coast cross country ride. See our Bob at Pike’s Peak, below. Please don’t forget to make a donation for a…

In addition to meeting with Ryan Savard's family on his Coast x Coast trip, Bob also met with Sgt. 1st Class Matthew McClintock’s Gold Star family.

Bob Meets with Matthew McClintock’s Gold Star Family on his Coast x Coast Cross Country Ride

In addition to meeting with Ryan Savard’s family on his Coast x Coast trip, Bob also met with Sgt. 1st Class Matthew McClintock’s Gold Star family. Matthew McClintock, a Special Forces engineer sergeant, was…

Bob Keiser meets with Ryan Savard's Gold Star family on his Coast x Coast cross country ride in memory of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel, Special Forces.

Bob Meets with Ryan Savard’s Gold Star Family on his Coast x Coast Cross Country Ride

What an eventful day! On his third day on his cross country trip, Bob met Sergeant 1st Class Ryan J. Savard’s family. Ryan was a Special Ops soldier. He was killed in action…

WTNH Interviews APK Charities' Helen Pedersen-Keiser and Bob Keiser re: the CoastxCoast ride from San Diego to Arlington in memory of Andrew Pedersen-Keel.

WTNH Interviews APK Charities’ Helen Pedersen-Keiser and Bob Keiser

Jacquie Slater from News Channel 8/WTNH-TV interviewed our own Helen and Bob as Bob is embarking on the motorcycle ride of his life. Bob is currently riding a Harley Davidson TriGlide…

MWD Bak was awarded, posthumously, the Excellence of Service Award from the Mark Twain House & Museum at the First Annual Bark Twain Bash.

Posthumous Award goes to MWD Bak

On Friday, March 4, 2016, our own Bob Keiser and the always-beautiful Helen Pedersen-Keiser were honored to attend the First Annual Bark Twain Bash. The Bash – benefiting The Mark…

A Special Thank You from APK Charities

Dear Friends of APK Charities, We are so grateful to all who were able to be part of the APK Charities 2nd annual APK 5K, 5K Ruck March and Kids…

APK 5K Ruck March Results for 2015

We commend those of you who not only marched a 5K, but also, marched it while carrying canned goods that were then donated for a worthy cause. Thank you so…

APK 5K Race Results for 2015

Whoo hoo! The race results are available below. Thanks so much to all who ran, all who marched, and who “fun-runned,” all who sponsored, all who donated and all who…

News Channel 8’s Tina Detelj Interviews Helen Pedersen Keiser

On Thursday, November 5, 2015, Tina Detelj from WTNH/News Channel 8 interviewed our own Gold Star Mother, Helen Pedersen Keiser, discussing the APK 5K as well as talking about her…

Gold Star Mothers Honored on September 27

The last Sunday of the month of September has been designated as “National Gold Star Mother’s Day.” Sarah Cody of Fox CT interviewed our own Gold Star Mother, Helen Pedersen-Keiser. Click…

APK Ruck Sack March Participant 2015

APK Ruck Sack March Requirements for 2015

Attention Ruck Sack March participants! Please bring a backpack with non-perishable food items with the following recommendations: for participants 150 lbs. and under – 10 lbs.; for participants over 150…

Registration for the 2nd APK 5K Race Begins in August 2015

Watch this space for the link to the registration. We look forward to seeing you on November 7th! Updated Monday, August 24, 2015. Click here to register for the 2nd…

The countdown continues... our inaugural APK 5K at Hammonassett State Park begins in less than 48 hours.

Don’t Miss the APK 5K and the Post Race Party!

The countdown continues… our inaugural APK 5K at Hammonassett State Park begins in less than 48 hours. And that means that our post race party begins in less than 48…

Shoreline Times: Gold star mom organizes APK 5K at Hammonassett State Park.

Shoreline Times: Gold star mom organizes APK 5K at Hammonasset State Park

We made the news again. This time it was our own Helen Pedersen-Keiser who got the ink. Sarah Page Kyrcz of the Shoreline Times interviewed Helen about our upcoming APK…

Bob Keiser was recently interviewed by Renee DiNino of iHeart Media. The topic of conversation was our upcoming APK 5K race, among other topics.

iHeart Media’s Renee DiNino interviews Bob Keiser about APK 5K Race

Bob Keiser was recently interviewed by Renee DiNino of iHeart Media. The topic of conversation was our upcoming APK 5K race, among other topics. And you can listen to this…

Bob Keiser was a recent guest speaker at the Madison Rotary Club where he spoke about his son, Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel and about the APK Charities 5K.

Madison Rotary Club: Bob Keiser on son, Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel

Our own Bob Keiser was featured in the Madison Rotary Club‘s October 2014 newsletter. Bob was a recent guest speaker at the Madison Rotary Club where he spoke about his…

APK Charities is having Ruck Walk/March in memory of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel on November 8, 2014 at Hammonassett State Park. So… what is a ruck march?

What is a Ruck March?

As many of you are aware, APK Charities is having a 5K race, aptly named as the “APK 5K” in memory of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel on November 3, 2018 at…

A Letter from Andrew Pedersen-Keel to Hayden DiMaio

Hello Hayden! Thanks for your thoughtful note. And your gratitude for our service means the world to all of us. I’ve known your grandmother and grandfather my entire life, and…

Andrew Pedersen-Keel’s Letter to Colorado Teachers and Students

Our son, Andrew Pedersen-Keel, wrote to a 6-8th grade teacher whose students (150) sent letters to Andrew and his team of 11 guys asking questions about the military and Special…

Registration for the APK 5K Now Open

Registration for the APK Charities inaugural APK 5K, 5K Ruck March and Kids Fun Run are now open. Click here to register online. You’ll be brought to a new webpage…

The APK Charities Website Debut

Hello and welcome to our new APK Charities website. We created the APK Charities Corporation (a Connecticut non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable status applied and pending/Federal Tax ID 46-5456912) to properly honor…