SALUTE run/walk celebrates 20 years of helping veterans

This Memorial Day weekend, as has been tradition for two decades, runners and walkers from throughout the Chicago area and beyond will gather to take part in SALUTE INC.'s 10K Run, 5K Walk/Run, and one-mile walk.

Scheduled for an 8 a.m. kickoff at Recreation Park in Arlington Heights, the May 27 event is a must-do for many residents and supporters of the local nonprofit, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary of providing financial assistance to military veterans and their families.

While the race is a long-standing traditional start to the summer running season for serious and casual runners, SALUTE executive director and co-founder Mary Beth Beiersdorf wants participants to know the impact they are having.

"We appreciate how much people enjoy the event," Beiersdorf said. "But most people don't realize how important a big turnout is to our mission."

Beiersdorf shared the story of Conner, a lifelong resident of Plainfield and 5-plus year member of the National Guard. In 2020, Conner was at the forefront of the burgeoning battle against COVID.

"So many of us went to mass vaccination sites to get shots. Many of them were staffed by National Guard members, including Conner. Yet, during that, at age 24, Conner suffered a serious stroke. He was months away from completing college and had an internship in cybersecurity waiting for him. Instead, in an instant, he was on a feeding tube, unable to walk, speak or use one side of his body."

Doctors took extreme measures, but still felt that Conner would not regain the capabilities he lost.

Conner had other ideas. Through intensive therapy, Conner is walking with assistance, eating and drinking, regaining communication skills and has his sights set on finishing college and someday returning to the military.

The ongoing therapy he needed and received at The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab was not fully covered by insurance. His family faced bills in the tens of thousands of dollars to continue the level of therapy he needed. As is their mission, SALUTE stepped in to provide financial assistance to help Conner and his family pursue their dream of a more complete recovery.

"When runners sign up for our Memorial Day weekend race, they are doing more than enjoying a fun group event," Beiersdorf said.

"They are helping families like Conner's overcome the barriers to physical and psychological treatment they need. This is a cornerstone event for us, and through registration and sponsorship we look forward to another 20 years of making a difference in countless lives."

The difference is real. Since 2003, SALUTE has provided $7 million in direct, short-term support to injured military personnel and their families, touching the lives of more than 22,000 families in some way.

As SALUTE has grown in reputation, it has partnered with some of the leading health care providers in the country, including the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, the Road Home program at Rush, Emory Healthcare, Home Base Program at Boston Mass General, and UCLA Health.

For those who are inspired to run for Conner and other military veterans, SALUTE also has exclusive entries to the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. By joining Team SALUTE, runners get an entry to the marathon, training, race day hospitality and team apparel.

For information on the Memorial Day weekend race and Team SALUTE, visit www.saluteinc.org/get-involved.

For others, as part of the 20th anniversary, SALUTE is inviting new donors to get acquainted with the organization by visiting www.saluteinc.org and acknowledge the anniversary by making a commemorative $20 donation.

"Conner's story is not unique," Beiersdorf said. "Our veterans will fight relentlessly to get back to health. It's up to all of us to help them cross their finish line."

SALUTE, INC. is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Palatine that is dedicated to meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans and their families.

Through a variety of fundraising efforts - including its group of charity runners, Team SALUTE - the organization provides service members and veterans with support for housing, utility bills, car expenses, groceries and other short-term financial needs.

In 2020, SALUTE, INC. was awarded the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, which is the highest level of transparency a nonprofit can receive from Candid, a company that rates how well nonprofits use their funds.

• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.