LIVONIA, MI, October 24, 2012 – Invest in America, a nationwide credit union member rewards program run by CU Solutions Group (CUSG), is honored to be the premier sponsor of the Achilles International Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans for the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 28. Through the sponsorship, the Freedom Team will enter its largest ever contingent in the race, with 31 wounded veterans who will use hand-cycles or prosthetics to complete a full marathon, and six more who will participate in the 10K race. The Marine Corps Marathon, the nation’s fourth largest, is expected to attract more than 30,000 participants to Sunday’s event in Arlington, Va.
In a further demonstration of commitment, two senior employees of the CU Solutions Group team will lace up their shoes and pound the pavement on Sunday in honor of U.S. troops and wounded veterans – and even help a Marine who lost both legs and an arm complete a full marathon.
“Invest in America is rooted in the credit union philosophy of giving back, and no one has given more to our nation than our veterans,” said CUSG CEO David Adams. “We are extremely proud of our veterans who serve our nation and protect our freedoms, and we’re honored to support them. The Marine Corps Marathon is an ideal opportunity to shine a light on our veterans and encourage everyone to remember and honor the sacrifices they make every day.”
Invest in America’s sponsorship covers travel costs, lodging, meals, and race registration for the Freedom Team participants, many of whom are coming from veterans’ hospitals and rehabilitation facilities around the country. “Without this generous sponsorship, many of these national heroes would not be able to take part in the Marine Corps Marathon,” said Achilles International Freedom Team Director Genna Griffith. “We’re very grateful to Invest in America and the credit union community for giving back to those who have given so much.”
CUSG Vice President for National Sales Chris Vargas, a veteran Ironman triathlete, will run the full marathon as a guide for a 20-year-old Marine who lost both legs and an arm in an ambush attack in Afghanistan. CUSG Vice President of Membership Enhancement and National Sales Lisa Rizk will also take part in the 10K in honor of the Achilles Freedom Team.
“I’ll be running alongside a young man who fought bravely for our nation, escaped death, lost his limbs and is tackling new challenges every day with grit and determination – and it’s humbling and a real honor for me,” said Vargas, age 55, a resident of La Jolla, Calif., who placed fourth in his age group at last year’s world triathlon championships. “We’re proud to support an event that sends a message to our wounded veterans: America’s credit unions are behind you.”
About Invest in America
Invest in America was created with two goals in mind: to help credit union members save and to assist credit unions in aligning their core products and services with exclusive offers from trusted U.S.-based partners. Find out more about Invest in America’s exclusive credit union member discounts at www.lovemycreditunion.org. CU Solutions Group serves the credit union industry nationwide by offering essential solutions in four key areas: marketing, technology, membership enhancements and performance management. It was formed out of the combination of CU Village and HRN Management Group, and is owned by hundreds of investors made up of leagues, credit unions and credit union system organizations. Learn more at www.cusolutionsgroup.com, www.facebook.com/CUSolGroup or www.twitter.com/CUSolGroup.
About Achilles International
A non-profit organization, Achilles International was founded in 1983 and currently holds chapters and members in over 65 locations within the United States and abroad. Every day, in parks, gyms, and tracks all over the world, Achilles provides athletes with disabilities with a community of support. Over the years, Achilles has developed numerous specialized programs for children and war veterans. Achilles Kids provides training, racing opportunities, and an in-school program for children with disabilities, while its Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans program brings running programs and marathon opportunities to disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. While Achilles' programs focus on athletics, the truth is, sports are simply the tool for accomplishing its main objective: to bring hope, inspiration and the joys of achievement to people with disabilities. For more information, please visit: http://www.achillesinternational.org/.