Runners and Heavy Weights combine efforts for Untamed Spirit and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2025

Barbara S. Ford, M.A.
Founder/Executive Director
Untamed Spirit Therapeutic & Educational Program
(757) 288-5999
barb@untamedspirit.org

Virginia Beach, VA – Title Sponsor EMG Consulting presents a combined fall benefit which will honor special needs children, adults and Wounded Warriors with a 5K, children’s race and Plane Pull on November 22, 2014. This year’s Virginia Beach Runway 5K and Brute Strength Gym Plane Pull will be held at the Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world.

Categories for the Plane Pull include Men and Women’s Heavyweight and Lightweight, as well as First Responders and Team Divisions (no more than six per team).

Untamed Spirit is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2010 which provides therapeutic horseback riding and educational programs for children and adults with special needs and challenges such as Autism, Down syndrome, Spina Bifida, depression, stroke and intellectual disabilities. Support from this event will assist in the expansion of programs and daily upkeep of the organization’s horses, ponies and small animals. Equine Assisted Activities enhance daily functioning for millions of people with disabilities every year. Positive benefits from the partnership with horses include increased self-esteem, muscle strengthening, increased verbal and social skills and improved coordination.

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). As of July 2014, over 400,000 service members are estimated of having PTSD symptoms, over 320,000 with Traumatic Brain Injuries, over 52,072 have been wounded and sadly, over 6,824 have died serving our country. WWP serves veterans and service members who have incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2025 and their families.

In addition to the 5K, children’s ½ mile and Plane Pull, individual’s competing in both events will be registered for the ACE Award. In order to qualify for the ACE Award, participant’s MUST be registered by November 1, 2014.

For Sponsorship information or to find out how to participate or volunteer contact barb@untamedspirit.org or visit our website: http://www.untamedspirit.org. For more information on registering for the 5K, please visit Race-it.com or http://www.vbrunway5K.org. For more information on registering for the Plane Pull, please visit Brute Strength Gym at: http://www.brutestrengthgym.net.

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The mission of Untamed Spirit Therapeutic and Educational Program is to enhance and enrich the lives of individuals with special needs through a partnership with horses.

The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors.

Day of Caring 2014

Dear Day of Caring Partners,

Thank you for your contributions to the community and your relationship with the United Way of South Hampton Roads.

Attached you will find several different documents. The first of which is the Volunteer Sign In Sheet, please print and have volunteers sign in at the beginning of your day. If your form is complete when United Way Staff Member is at your location, please feel free to hand it over for them to bring back to me. If not, I ask for you to please either mail or scan the document to me afterwards. We send out a survey to our volunteers and would love to have their contact information so we can continue to make this event better every year.

This year we have partnered with Seventh Point to help us spread the word and connect with people across South Hampton Roads using social media. We are inviting you to join us, as partners in the Day of Caring, as we increase our engagement in the community.

Please join us in social media engagement leading up to and during the Day of Caring. We have included a toolbox of tips and engagement strategy for your agency’s social media promotion. Download our Social Media Kit.

With our community partners, we will extend the reach of Day of Caring far beyond each location and even beyond the day of the event. Our goal is to connect with all our volunteers and share experiences among organizations, individuals, participants and beyond.

Utilizing social media during the Day of Caring provides the United Way of South Hampton Roads and you, our partners, a unique opportunity to connect with your volunteers, other locations and agencies, create word-of-mouth buzz and collect a cache of photos.

Thank you again for your contributions to our community and your connection to the United Way of South Hampton Roads. We look forward to increasing our previous capabilities and community impact with you as our partner. Feel free to contact us or our social media strategists at Seventh Point with any questions about the social media events on Day of Caring.

Sincerely,
Alyssa Lester

Relationship Specialist, Operations
2014 Day of Caring Coordinator
United Way of South Hampton Roads
2515 Walmer Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23513
ph: 757.853.8500 x 175
fax: 757.853.3900
www.unitedwayshr.org
www.unitedwayfoundation.org

GIVE. | ADVOCATE. | VOLUNTEER. | LIVE UNITED™

Runway 5K & Plane Pull

Third Annual 5K and Second Annual Brute Strength Plane Pull being combined this year. It’s going to be fun!

For more information, please contact us.

Integrative Wellness Expo 2014

It is our pleasure to announce that Untamed Spirit Therapeutic and Educational Program is hosting the First Annual Integrative Wellness Expo on September 13, 2025 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Forward Motion Farm.

Integrative Wellness is a relatively new way of thinking about personal healthcare that includes mind, body and spirit. By looking at the whole person, we are better able to reduce stress, incorporate healthy living styles and become proactive in personal treatment protocols. In addition to clinical treatment programs, integrative wellness also includes exercise, diet, self-care (yoga, massage therapy, essential oils), outdoor activities such as horseback riding and gardening, art and music therapies and behavioral health care. Integrative thinking about healthcare is on the upswing world-wide and Untamed Spirit is leading the way through its nature-based therapies and educational programming in a natural farm setting in rural Virginia Beach.

Join Our 2014 Summer Camps!

June 16-20: Traditional Riders - $350/9-3pm

July 7-11: Untamed Spirit Special Needs Riders - $250/9-Noon

July 21-25: Traditional Riders - $350/9-3pm