Patriot Promotions Teams Up With Racing For Heroes at SOFIC 2017

Racing For Heroes - Healing Veterans Through Motorsports and A New Mission!

(May 15, 2017 Tampa, Florida) – If you have been to SOFIC ( Special Operation Forces Industry Convention) you've probably seen the impressive Late Dirt Model race car with the names of fallen SOF (9/11 to date) in front of the convention entrance. Racing for Heroes (R4H) towed it here from their home track at Virginia International Raceway. Her trailer is also a moving memorial with names of the fallen from every branch (911 – present) and is a special place for warriors to gather and remember their friends.  RFH is truly healing on wheels wherever they go.

The two year old NPO was founded by retired CWO3, Michael Evock, as a way to give back to the community and support disabled veterans. Especially those in crisis.  Mike is a combat veteran whose career in the military began in 1988 when he enlisted into the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army and 4 years later became an elite Green Beret. Throughout his career, he faced certain death on more than thirteen different occasions, which included a helicopter crash and multiple IED explosions. He has suffered more than 50 "significant" injuries, several were life threatening- yet he survived them all. The aftermath of these events and experiences has resulted in an ongoing battle with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Braun Injury (TBI) among other medical issues suffered by those who've had to take drugs such as Mefloquine (formerly Larium) or face court martial if you contracted malaria and didn't take your pills. 

1 in 3 Americans live with aches and pains but it is clear that rate is higher for our nations elite warriors. R4H has partnered with Australian company PainPod to promote a drug free alternative to pain management with a unique physical therapy medical device that helps to block pain and extend or eliminate drug dependancy. This kind of alternative therapy provides a much needed, drug free alternative for pain management in order to combat accidental overdoses and side effects that often drive veterans to the unthinkable. 

Donations from sales will go to R4H with promo code "R4H" at: www.painpodusa.com

Despite his ailments, Evock relies on his warrior mentality and skills to forge ahead in his civilian life. This “ghost warrior” has come back from the brink to become a champion for veterans. He uses racing as a way to combat suicide and to recreate the group solidarity that kept these men and women tightly knit during their active years in the Armed Forces. 

R4H has provided assistance to over 60 veterans in 9 states, through their racing sports program, health interventions and suicide prevention outreach. They have a licensed psychologist on staff who is also a combat vet. 

Yearly operating costs are roughly $250,000 which enables them to do some small assistance projects to support immediate needs of veterans in crisis, including paying for them to see their Doc Lamaie who understands the toxicity and other issues needing to be addressed. Stretching every penny, this also allows them to build and equip vets to run 4-5 Chump Car (asphalt track) races, with a team of 10-15 veterans. 

The board is not paid and often pay out of their own retirement to help their brothers and sisters in crisis. The non profit is asking for your support and financial assistance to help grow the numbers served, expand into multiple regions and to provide more racing options to sustain the program. 

Their goal this year is to raise $500,000 to on track for the $1 million needed for the strategic plan. If you know a sponsor, please send them our way and stop by to see us and the car at Booth #99 (outside - escalator entrance). 

For more information, please contact: Jill Trammell, Patriot Promotions 678-725-9251

Website: www.racingforheroes.org

Video for distribution: https://youtu.be/nqm4Gk2E4cg