Penske Associates Pull 80 Tons for Veteran’s Charity
August 02, 2019
Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.
<p><a href="https://www.gopenske.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penske</a> associates from the Boston District participated in the Travis Mills Foundation Plane Pull to support injured veterans and their families.</p><p>Held June 8 at the Portland International Jetport, Portland, Maine, the plane pull featured corporate-sponsored teams pulling a Boeing 757. The plane weighed 80 tons, which equals to roughly 6,400 pounds of weight being pulled by each team member.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1bc1520c532aff5372abdf354693dce3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="12022" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMTk5NDU2OS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDU2NTI0Nn0.PT-fZmI_s4nuOP6qWiu1cWHW4MWLPjuEDEsMI03ymIo/img.png?width=980"/>Travis Mills is a veteran quadruple amputee who turned a horrific event into something positive — the Travis Mills Foundation. He travels the world as a motivational speaker and has a New York Times bestselling memoir, “Tough as They Come.”</p><p>Mills’ quote, “Never give up. Never quit,” has inspired many, especially the Penske team that participated.</p><p>According to the Travis Mills Foundation <a href="https://travismillsfoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a><u>,</u> the foundation “supports post 9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.”</p><p>The foundation supports veterans through a retreat located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. The retreat is an all-inclusive, all-expense paid, barrier-free vacation where they can participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veterans and enjoy rest and relaxation that Maine’s outdoors provides.</p><p>Some of the 20 adaptive activities offered at the retreat include cycling, hiking, golfing, ice fishing, boating and pottery.</p><p>In 2017, the foundation hosted 84 veteran families to the Maine retreat.</p><p>Penske Branch Manager Robert Hubbard was the organizer of Penske’s involvement in the Travis Mills Foundation Plane Pull.</p><p>Hubbard said that getting associates to volunteer was easy — they were all so supportive of the cause.</p><p>“Travis is a quad amputee with an incredible attitude,” Hubbard said. “His sense of humor and upbeat personality make it an easy event to support.”</p><p>The event exceeded the original $50,000 goal and in the end raised over $100,000, which is able to support 100 families. Penske associates raised $3,400.</p><p>Hubbard said the event was successful.</p><p>“I was very excited to be a part of the event. Knowing about Travis, when the opportunity came up to support him and veterans, we were more than happy to help.”</p><p>Penske’s District Manager Chad Hough said that getting the whole Boston District together was a big deal.</p><p>“We had people from the south end of our district come up to the very northern part — Portland, Maine, for such a great cause, and it was just cool to have everyone together. Maine is a ‘do business with your neighbor; support your neighbor’ type of environment. The best part was seeing the community there to support each other,” Hough said.</p><p><em>By Emma Creamer, Communications and PR intern</em></p></div>
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