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Foglia YMCA hosting Inspirational Community Breakfast

Perseverance, leadership and overcoming adversity are important in the message Colonel Greg Gadson will share at an Inspirational Community Breakfast at the Foglia YMCA.

Tickets are now on sale for the breakfast that will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Foglia, 1025 N. Old McHenry Road, Lake Zurich.

All proceeds support children and families within the community. The cost for a table of eight is $100, while single tickets are $15. Sponsorships are also available.

Gadson will share his inspiring story and about why it's crucial to give 100 percent in everything you do. On May 7, 2007, upon returning from a memorial service for two of his Brigade soldiers in Iraq, an Improvised Explosive Device attack cost Gadson both legs above the knees and normal use of his right arm and hand.

Gadson's philosophy is, "When you put effort into being your best every day, you start to build character - it becomes who you are and you know of no other way."

Refusing to be defined by the proverbial "hail of bullets," he has drawn upon the lessons of pride, poise and teamwork he learned as a West Point linebacker and applied them to his life, career and family.

As fate would have it, one of his West Point classmates, New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin, gave Gadson a call and asked if he would speak to the struggling team in the fall of 2007.

"I talked to the team and shared with them about effort and staying in the moment and doing the best you can every day, because tomorrow is not promised," he said.

The Giants rallied through the rest of their season and went on to win Super Bowl 42. They gave Gadson credit for their winning streak and he has two Super Bowl rings to prove it.

Twenty-five-year career Army officer Col. Gadson's life is the embodiment of leadership that perseveres amid tremendous personal challenge. He is a passionate advocate for wounded warriors, veterans and those with disabilities.

He appeared in the movie "Battleship" in 2012, portraying a wounded veteran. He is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity and continues to share his message of service, teamwork, duty, perseverance and faith as an inspiration to others.

The Foglia YMCA is a nonprofit, mission-driven organization focused on inclusion. The organization wants to ensure that community members and families are able to access the facility and essential programming, regardless of their ability to pay.

Foglia has provided more than $1 million in financial assistance since its inception in 2000 to support its neighbors in need.

To become a sponsor or purchase tables or tickets, go to www.fogliaymca.org/breakfast. To learn more about Gadson, watch his video at www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-presents/0ap2000000122071/NFL-Films-Presents-Colonel-Greg-Gadson.

For more information, contact Lois Poulos at lpoulos@ymcachicago.org or call (847) 438-5300.

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