Greetings and Salutations.
My name is Chuck Horswill and I am a devoted husband, proud father, professional project manager and a cycling hobbyist. This year I intend to take the next step in cycling experience by riding a century. A century is riding 100 miles in one day. Although this may not sound like a significant milestone; some people compare it to running your first marathon, graduating to a black belt in Tae Kwon Do or becoming a chess master. It is a significant milestone!
My first century will be riding with Team Foster, an organization I support and feel a personal connection (Please click on the The EVENT and THE CAUSE tabs above for more information). During my six years in the Marine Corps, I witnessed many of the devastating effects of serving. Although crippling injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and war related amputations were not commonly associated with Viet Nam veterans, these crippling disabilities have a devastating impact on those who served. The impact of these overwhelming handicaps can be seen today in the significant number of veteran suicides, homelessness, and mental disease victims.
I have been preparing for this ride for 1 year. It is hard to get a 70-year-old body ready to face the rigors of riding for over 6 hours in one day. All the work will be worthwhile if I can help some of the less fortunate veterans with services they may not get elsewhere.
Please do not donate because of me. I have my family and am in reasonably good health. Please help support my less fortunate veteran friends, colleagues, and comrades. By pooling our recourses, we can make a difference. Every little bit helps!
If you wouild like to get involved please check out the Team Foster Volunteer page.
Thank you
Chuck
Foster 100
2022 Foster 100
The Foster 100 has been Team Foster's signature event since 2014. This year participants will be riding their bikes at least 100 miles during Foster Week or riding 100 miles in one day during the Foster 100 Classic.
Why We Ride: Your efforts will raise money to provide trained service dogs at no cost to local Veterans, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). We lose 20+ Veterans and service members to suicide every day. Service dogs change the lives of Veterans by providing the physical support and performing complex tasks enabling the Veteran to heal.
Inspiration: Your efforts as a member of Team Foster will honor the spirit and sacrifice of Captain Erick Foster who was killed while engaging enemy; forces in 2007 in Iraq. Erick was a warrior, a leader and an inspiration. He pushed himself and those around him to be better – to go a little farther, to give a little more. And that’s what Team Foster does. We go a little farther, we give a little more to support the service men and women who kept us safe.
We want YOU to go a little farther and give a little more.
For more about Team Foster and the 100, please visit our website and like the Foster 100 Facebook Page.
Team Foster is a 501(c)(3) charity organization founded to honor Captain Erick Foster though its mission: No Hero Left Behind. Team Foster fights for the unmet needs of injured and disabled Veterans by bringing together civilians, Veterans and highly trained service dogs.
We do this by:
- Helping Veterans obtain highly-trained service dogs they need at no cost,
- Providing grants for the unmet needs of Veterans and their service dog,
- Ensuring Veteran service dogs receive the highest quality training,
- Promote Awareness of Service-Related PTSD and TBI, and advocate for the long-term needs of our Veterans.
If your company or organization is interested in sponsoring Team Foster, please email us at [email protected] for opportunities.
Team Foster was founded in honor of Captain Erick Foster. A natural leader and a warrior, Erick pushed those around them to do more and to take care of their teammates.
Team Foster seeks to honor Erick's legacy by pushing ourselves and taking care of our teammates - the Veterans who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are the signature wounds of post-9/11 warfare. Hundreds of thousand of Veterans have returned home afflicted with these invisible wounds. As a result, 20+ Veterans and military members lose their lives to suicide every day.
But there's hope: Service Dogs Save Lives.
Service dogs are an elegant solution to the complex symptoms of PTSD and TBI. An alternative to medications, these dogs have been proven over and over again to save the lives of our heroes. However, a properly trained and accredited service dog takes 2 years and costs over $25,000 to train. Team Foster fills this need and ensures that our Veterans receive the service dogs they need at no cost. We then partner with the Veteran to "watch their six" going forward by providing grants and additional support as needed.
Learn more about Team Foster at www.TeamFoster.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the handle: @weareteamfoster.
Checks or matching donations may be sent to:
Team Foster, PO Box 2145, Philadelphia, PA, 19103