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A TIME FOR THANKS 43

Wyakin Foundation

Foundation moved its annual veteran that comes to us for help.” “We’re excited about what the on-one, either in a community
gala online, with a virtual auction To raise additional funds, the response has been so far,” Taylor capacity or a professional capacity.
available for a couple of weeks Wyakin Foundation is inviting said. “One reason we thought [of Professional mentorship focuses
concluding with a live broadcast. community members to participate doing pull-ups] is all our members on industry-specific career
It didn’t raise what the live event in its inaugural Pull-Ups with are very familiar with having to readiness, such as through job
would typically have raised, Taylor Purpose event Dec. 5, a unique do some number to meet training search support, networking and
said, but the Wyakin Foundation pledge-based fitness challenge. requirements … it’s an exercise professional skill development.
was pretty pleased with how it Participants sign-up to do as many that resonates with veterans.” Community mentorship serves as a
performed. pull-ups as they can in 5 minutes; Community members are also general resource “to promote self-
So far, 12 veterans have applied supporters pledge an amount invited to support the Wyakin awareness and reflection, pursuit
to enter the Wyakin Warrior ($1, $5, etc.) per pull-up. Event Foundation in other ways. of personal growth and overall
program the first of the year. To participants will film themselves Monetary donations are accepted wellness in transition.”
bring them all on is estimated doing their 5 minutes of pull-ups year-round from individuals and “Perhaps more importantly,
to cost $60,000, a goal that the and submit their video to the business payrolls to corporate our volunteer force signals to
Wyakin Foundation hopes to Wyakin Foundation. The software partners. our Warriors the breadth of the
achieve by the end of the year. program collects the donation. Volunteers are also welcomed greater Wyakin community that
“We don’t want to turn anybody So far, about $12,000 has and appreciated to help in exists to serve them,” the Wyakin
away, obviously,” Taylor said. “We been gathered in pledges; the a number of areas, such as Foundation states on its website.
want to live up the promise we Wyakin Foundation hopes to raise administrative work, event “It sends a very clear message that
exist to do. If we were able to raise $15,000. More information about planning, tutoring, and more. many veterans need to hear; ‘we
that amount ... that would put us the fundraiser is available on the Volunteers can also offer to have your back.’”
in a good position to assist every website. mentor a Wyakin Warrior, one- Photos provided by Wyakin Foundation