It’s all about community support.
Hope For The Warriors, a nonprofit organization started in Onslow County, serves wounded warriors and their families and could not operate without help from caring communities, said Robin Kelleher, president and co-founder of the organization. “It’s essential,” she said. “We couldn’t do anything we do without community involvement.” Since its founding in 2006, the organization has branched out and now includes offices in Manhattan and Virginia with plans to open more. “It was founded here and has become a success because of this community,” she said. “We always go back to Onslow County. Jacksonville is our roots, truly where we got started.” Throughout the year, Hope for the Warriors holds various events such as a Poker Run in the fall and their annual Run for the Warriors, which takes place Saturday aboard Camp Lejeune to get the community involved in their fundraising and wounded warrior support efforts. “I think it’s a way of saying thank you for those who have put themselves in harms way to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. (It’s) a way we can ensure that those who have made major sacrifices are not forgotten,” said Paul McCarthy, general manager for Stevenson Automotive Group’s Jacksonville locations.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us because we don’t have to do all the work and it raises a lot of money,” Kelleher said.