The Sea to Sea for PTSD team made their way through the area last week with stops in Wheatley and Kingsville.
Chad Kennedy brought his emotional and powerful story to the Sun Parlour with help from local author Marcie Resendes, the Village Resource Centre in Wheatley, Kingsville Legion Branch 188 and the Helping Our Heroes Fund.
Kennedy is walking across Canada to raise funds and awareness about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), telling his story in hopes that it will help others avoid some of the pitfalls along the way.
He made his way to Pelee Island after the Wheatley and Kingsville stops and wrapped up his eastern Canada portion for the year. He’s expected to continue his walk next spring and make it to British Columbia.
After a stop in Wheatley on Tuesday, September 2, Kennedy and his team were welcomed to Kingsville Legion on Wednesday, September 3 where a crowd of over 100 gathered to hear him speak.
Helping Our Heroes — an organization near and dear to the heart of Legion Vice President Scott Treanor — acted as the evening’s host along with Branch 188.
Treanor opened the evening by introducing Kennedy, whom he’d had the pleasure of spending a few days with prior to the event.
Kennedy then told his story, an honest portrayal of a man who’s seen it all. It was emotional, honest and hard-hitting in places, but in the end it conveyed hope.
Treanor finished off the night with a presentation from Helping Our Heroes, a non-profit organization raising money to pair service dogs with veterans who are suffering from PTSD.
In total $1,500 was donated to Sea to Sea for PTSD — $1,000 from Kingsville Legion and an additional $500 from the Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders.
Scott Treanor was thrilled with how the evening went and touched by Kennedy’s story.
“Getting to spend time with Chad and his team members was fantastic,” he said. “There is so much more to his story and it’s amazing. We enjoyed all the time we got to spend together and look forward to seeing them again next year.”
Two service dogs were present at the event and were popular with everyone in the room. Red One is the name of their first service dog and her friend Pica was there to lend a paw.
After the presentations, an informal talk with audience members ensued.
To donate to Sea to Sea for PTSD, visit their website at seatoseaforptsd.ca.
If you’d like to donate locally to Helping Our Heroes, visit their website at helpingourheroesfund.wordpress.com.
Kingsville Legion President James Raposo with service dogs Pica on the left and Red One on the right.
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
Chad Kennedy
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
Scott Treanor
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
