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 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 from the Shoreline Times.

Gold star mom organizes 5K at Hammo; Fill a rucksack with nonperishable food for charity

Published: Monday, October 27, 2014

By Sarah Page Kyrcz
[email protected]

The countdown is underway for the first annual APK 5K Run/Ruck/Walk and Kids Fun Run at Hammonasett State Park,10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8.

Organizers, Bob and Helen Pedersen-Keiser, of Madison, are passionate about giving back to military families and soldiers that work to protect our freedom. As a Gold Star Mom, whose only son, U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, was killed in action, in Afghanistan, March 11, 2013, Helen says she is finding solace in helping others through the couple’s newly formed APK Charities Corporation (https://www.apkcharities.org).

In keeping with the military theme, the Ruck will be a simulation of the Muck March, an endurance and strengthening exercise where soldiers walk at a fast pace carrying a fully loaded “rucksack,” commonly known as a backpack.

Participants are encouraged to load their backpacks with nonperishable food items. Following the event all food will be donated to the St. George Food Pantry in Guilford.

All proceeds of this year’s race will benefit CT Trees of Honor Memorial in Middletown, the Fisher House in West Haven, and The Special Forces Charitable Trust. For more information and to register for the event visit https://www.apkcharities.org/event/apk-5k/.

“To comfort the returning soldiers or the recovering soldiers or the lost soldiers’ families,” says Helen. “I can’t think of anything kinder to do.”

APK Charities is a non-profit organization raising funds for the APK Direct Assistance Program and APK Endowment Fund in loving memory of Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel, Special Forces.

Learn more about our organization.

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