Nonprofit’s ruck march raises funds, awareness for veteran suicide prevention

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KXRM) — It’s a sobering statistic: On average, 22 veterans a day commit suicide. But the actual number may be even higher.

“It’s actually closer to 40 right now in our country,” said Michael Connors, President and Founder of Connors K9 PAWS.

Connors, along with FOX21 Loving Living Local Host Nova are completing a four-day ruck march to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention and mental health for veterans.

They, along with one other veteran, will walk 105 miles in total over three-and-a-half days starting in Civic Center Park in Denver. They will walk from the Mile High City to Colorado Springs and then back to Castle Rock.

Each night will be marked with a checkpoint party and fundraiser in the corresponding city. The one in Colorado Springs is on Thursday, May 23 at Dog Haus. A final fundraiser will be held at the march’s completion on Saturday, May 25 at 105 West Brewing Company in Castle Rock.

“We’re actually going to be able to present some service dogs to veterans there in order to try to get this to be where people can actually see the effect,” said Connors.

“My last 18 months in the Army was at Walter Reed in the hospital recovering from wounds of war and I was introduced to the power of service dogs there and what they could accomplish to help other veterans and I realized it was something I wanted to focus on next, so when I retired I founded a business training dogs for anyone, then founded our nonprofit, Connors K9 PAWS, to provide service dogs and recreational therapy opportunities to veterans,” said Connors.

Interested parties can find a link at ConnorsK9PAWS.org to follow Connors and Nova on their journey. Donations can be made at the checkpoint parties, or by texting “RUCK24” to 53-555.

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If you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself:
Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org .
Please get help immediately.

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