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Hello! Last night, May 13 , 2025, the Madison Youth & Family Services held their annual “Celebrating the Pillars in our Madison Community” awards. Our fabulous Robert Keiser, (Bob to everyone who knows and loves him) was presented such an award… and it reads… Community Asset Award Presented to: ROBERT KEISER “An outstanding individual who…

First, let’s talk about Carry the Load…it’s a non-profit organization whose purpose is to preserve the sanctity of Memorial Day. They do this through community gatherings and storytelling in an effort to unite Americans in appreciation for the sacrifices made by a few who carried the load for all. What started in 2011 as a…

Dear Friends, APK CHARITIES is excited to announce our fundraising partnership with the 2025 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program! The Birdies for Charity program provides 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut the opportunity to raise funds by collecting donations. APK Charities was created to help us properly honor and remember the life, bravery, and humanitarian spirit…

Veteran, Matt Hubert, Honors Fallen Hero Veteran Matt Hubert Honors Fallen Hero…If you see a six-foot man speedwalking around New Fairfield with a 40-pound pack on his back and Army combat boots on his feet, that would be Matt Hubert, 47, of Woodridge Road. He is in training for the Mountain Man Memorial March April…

DONATE TODAY to APK Charities via a fundraising partnership with the 2024 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity! Dear Friends, APK CHARITIES is excited to announce our fundraising partnership with the 2024 Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program! The Birdies for Charity program provides 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut the opportunity to raise funds by collecting donations.…

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 in Connecticut the opportunity to raise funds by collecting donations.  We look forward to our continuous relationship with the Travelers Championship and your ongoing support!…

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) at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The BMDM is a 26.2-mile march with a 40+ pound rucksack through the high desert at…

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 Range in White Sands, New Mexico. While marching, they’ll simultaneously be raising donations to benefit APK Charities. You can donate to their fundraiser here. When…

(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 American service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. APK Charities has assembled 4 teams to participate in this year’s memorial march.…

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 be seen at the Westfarms Mall in West Hartford, CT from Dec. 7, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022. “Major” benefits APK Charities, Inc., painted by…

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 Located at 1 Orchard Park Road, Unit 5, Madison, CT, it’s a store with a little bit of everything for your home and family. Do you have items you were planning to sell at a tag sale? Trust…

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. Site location: Berlin Veterans Memorial Park Veterans Way Berlin CT 06037 Bob and Helen attended the dedication celebration on Saturday, April 23 at Berlin Veterans…

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. Click here to shop today! Thanks so much for your support, – Helen and Bob

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 volunteerism.” The New England Patriots Foundation donates $225,000 each year to selected non-profit organizations located in New England. There are twenty $10,000 winners and one…

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 party started NOW! “You can feel the excitement building throughout the entire town of West Hartford. The anticipation is palpable!” says Tom Hickey, President of…

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 in Afghanistan say they are sickened by what is happening in the country where he made the ultimate sacrifice.”

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 graduating senior from Lyman Hall or Mark T Sheehan high schools in Wallingford. Winners are judged on academics, school activities, sports and community service. Ms.…

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. To the Goldstar family of CW2 Duane Cantrell, so happy we met and were able to spend time with you! Love, Helen, Bob, and the…

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 or bike, but on foot. Some were rucking, carrying 35-pound camouflage backpacks. One couple pushed a stroller with their young daughter. While participants would alternate…

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. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, who grew up in Wallingford, will have his name featured on a race car during Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. “It’s a way to…

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 donation comes entirely from Amazon. For every $100 spent, 50¢ goes to helping CT Veterans in need. It’s that easy and it doesn’t cost you…

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 Guilford Fair Grounds kicks off, among the sea of runners will be 20 participants from the 3rd Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, N.C., who…

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 jerky, instant soup, candy, hand sanitizer, soap and magazines. Through the generosity of one local organization, these items and many more are en route to…

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 26, 2019 Reprinted with permission from NBC Connecticut http://https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Navy-Vet-Wants-to-Keep-Memories-of-Fallen-Heroes-Alive_Hartford-511860012.html A retired Navy veteran is on a mission to make sure the stories of fallen heroes…

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 Memorial Golf Tournament in Darien. Gold Star Families of Chief Petty Officer Brian R. Bill, Navy Seal, Army Spc Wilfreso Perez Jr., 4th Infantry Division…

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.

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 a hero WOD? It’s a workout of the day — WOD, get it? — in tribute to a fallen member of the military who died…

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 there for communities impacted by terrorism and traumatic loss. Tuesday’s Children honored Andrew’s Gold Star mother, the beautiful Helen Pedersen-Keiser!

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. Click here to buy but hurry! These fabulous T-shirts that help our vets and vet families are only available for a limited time. You…

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 by the adorable name of Tiebo. And now…Officer K9 Tiebo is one live-saving vest richer due to your generous donations. Tiebo is a beautiful K9…

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 pictured here attended our 4th annual APK Event in 2017. We loved these soldiers as if they were our own sons. The team deployed to…

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. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team — also known as “The Black Daggers” – will be dropping from a plane into the Guilford Fairgrounds…

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’s favorite Gold Star mom, the beautiful Helen Pedersen Keiser, will be recognized. APK Charities will receive $3 for each ticket sold. If more than…

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? Inquiring minds want to know. Click here to find out. (If you didn’t get to take home the Yarborough Knife… no worries. The winning team…

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 than losing a child. On Sept. 24, members of the Madison and greater shoreline community gathered on the Madison Town Green to unveil and dedicate…

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 he’d just hurt his thumb and the pain would stop as it healed. But he was wrong. A tumor had developed in the bone and…

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 willingness to share your time and enthusiasm in support of our tribute to Andrew and our Military. Helen and Bob Keiser-Pedersen Please see the race…

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 well written by Tom Conroy, Special Publications Editor at Zip06.com, this piece covers it all. From Andrew’s birth in Florida, through his schooling and on to his…

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 us with such a worthy cause. But you can be altruistic and still get something else in return… besides, of course, those warm cockles. You…

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 photo with him. About Gary Sinise Gary Sinise is an actor most known for his rolls in Ransom (1996), Apollo 13 (1995), and Forrest Gump…

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 active duty personnel). Bob had the opportunity to meet with Andrew’s Special Ops Unit, ODA 3126. (ODA means “Operational Detachment Alpha.”) See the photo below…

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

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 visit to CrossfitVanZandt and First State Bank of Ben Wheeler. CrossFit Van Zandt is owned by Sam Deen, a 2006 West Point graduate and classmate of Andrew.…

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 with the Harley Davidson TriGlide Ultra – or as he likes to call it – “the Trike” and the Gold Star Heritage Flag.

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 worthy cause. Bob is riding cross country on a Harley Davidson TriGlide Ultra in memory of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel, Special Forces.

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 killed Jan. 5 during an hours-long firefight in southern Afghanistan. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery and is survived by his wife, Alexandra and…

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 on Oct. 13, 2012 during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Savard died from direct fire from enemy forces while conducting combat operations in…

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 Ultra from San Diego to Arlington, VA in the CoastxCoast ride in memory of Andrew Pedersen-Keel. Click here to see the interview. Please support APK Charities…

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 Twain House & Museum and Kenway’s Cause, Inc. Animal Rescue – was an evening of celebration of our four-legged friends. The Bark Twain Bash, aptly…

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 Fun Run in November. The event drew nearly 500 runners and Ruck Marchers from all over Connecticut and the Northeast. We are so very thankful…

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 much for your selflessness. See the results of the APK 5K Ruck March Results for 2015 below. APK 5K Ruck March Results [table id=2 /]

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 volunteered, spectated and/or participated in any way. See you next year? (Click here for the APK 5K Ruck March results.) APK 5K Results [table id=1…

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 son, Andrew Pedersen-Keel. Click on this link to read more and to watch the video. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at Hammonasett!

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 here to read the piece and/or watch the video below.

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 lbs. – 20 lbs. The food will be donated to the St. George Food Pantry after the challenge. PLEASE! NO GLASS CONTAINERS. Thank you. Let’s…

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 Annual APK 5K.

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 hours as well. Come one, come all. And let us entertain you. We’ve got Daniel M. Clark, also known as “the Singing Trooper,” performing before…

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 5K and our 5K Ruck/Walk being held on Nov. 8, 2014 at 9:30am at Hammonassett State Park. See below for the article, reprinted with permission…

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 interview – on Sunday, November 2, 2014 – at several times and on several radio stations. See below: FM Stations KISS 95.7 at 7am Country…

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 son, Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel and about APK Charities and our upcoming 5K race as well as our 5K Ruck/Walk and our Fun Run. He showed…

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 the Guilford Fair Grounds. On that same day, we are also holding a Ruck Walk/March. So… the question of the hour is… what is a…

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 they are the sweetest of people. Please give them both a hug for me the next time you see them. I was very impressed by…

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 Forces. The teacher is a sister of one of the Special Forces guys who used to work with Andrew’s team. Andrew wrote a response to…

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 at Ratrace Timing where you can register and pay for the event online. All proceeds of this year’s race will benefit CT Trees of Honor…

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 and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our son, Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, US Army Special Forces. Each year, the APK Charities Corporation will provide…