A Walk to Help Those Who Help Us
Tax deductible
In 2018, I retired from the FDNY. In the months leading up to my retirement, a couple of things occurred to me. The first, was that I was going to need some time to process the trauma that I had pushed aside for so many years. The second, was that despite my retirement, I needed to continue to wake up every morning with a sense of purpose.
I decided a good post-retirement goal would be to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (aka 'the AT') by October 2019. The AT is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world measuring 2,192 miles in length (plus the 8-mile approach, for a total of 2,200 miles!). On average, 3,000 people attempt a thru-hike each year. Fewer than 1 in 4 make it from end to end, and those who complete it typically do so in 5 – 7 months.
The goal was exciting to me on a personal level but was missing that sense of purpose. To make it more interesting, I decided to build a fundraising campaign into my hike as a ‘thank you’ to my fellow service men and women who have spent their lives protecting Americans.
I have seen firsthand the amazing work that the Gary Sinise Foundation has done for veterans and first responders. When people need help, it is our service men and women we rely on which is why it made perfect sense to turn this ‘Forrest Gump’ style adventure into a fundraiser for the ‘LT Dan Foundation’.
My name is Jason McGimspey. I served as an Infantryman in the US Army for 4 years and as a New York City Firefighter for 17 years. I did a year in Bosnia with the Army and I was in the Twin Towers when they collapsed. I owe my life to my fellow service men and women, and more specifically to those from Ladder 12 who were with me on 9/11 - Phil Petti, Angel Juarbe and Mike Mullen, all of whom were killed that day.
I'm reaching out and asking for help to turn this walk into something truly special. Every week or so I will have access to wi-fi. I want to log in to this GoFundMe page and see that we are closer to the goal of $100,000 in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation by October 1, 2019. I want to read your messages and look forward to thanking you all for your support when I return.
I believe in this cause and have personally donated the first $1,000.
Update:
I started the trail on March 5, 2019. As of March 24, 2019, I have made it through Georgia and in to North Carolina. I have over 12 US States left to go…
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HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
DONATE to my campaign between now and October 1, 2019.
All proceeds will benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation.
GOAL: $100,000 by Oct. 1, 2019
(roughly $45.45 per mile!)
SHARE THIS LINK: In addition to your donations, I am asking you to please share this campaign with everyone you know (via text, email, social media, etc.). #jasonsATwalk2019
No donation is too small! Every dollar counts!
With your support, I WILL ACHIEVE THIS GOAL!
I decided a good post-retirement goal would be to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (aka 'the AT') by October 2019. The AT is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world measuring 2,192 miles in length (plus the 8-mile approach, for a total of 2,200 miles!). On average, 3,000 people attempt a thru-hike each year. Fewer than 1 in 4 make it from end to end, and those who complete it typically do so in 5 – 7 months.
The goal was exciting to me on a personal level but was missing that sense of purpose. To make it more interesting, I decided to build a fundraising campaign into my hike as a ‘thank you’ to my fellow service men and women who have spent their lives protecting Americans.
I have seen firsthand the amazing work that the Gary Sinise Foundation has done for veterans and first responders. When people need help, it is our service men and women we rely on which is why it made perfect sense to turn this ‘Forrest Gump’ style adventure into a fundraiser for the ‘LT Dan Foundation’.
My name is Jason McGimspey. I served as an Infantryman in the US Army for 4 years and as a New York City Firefighter for 17 years. I did a year in Bosnia with the Army and I was in the Twin Towers when they collapsed. I owe my life to my fellow service men and women, and more specifically to those from Ladder 12 who were with me on 9/11 - Phil Petti, Angel Juarbe and Mike Mullen, all of whom were killed that day.
I'm reaching out and asking for help to turn this walk into something truly special. Every week or so I will have access to wi-fi. I want to log in to this GoFundMe page and see that we are closer to the goal of $100,000 in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation by October 1, 2019. I want to read your messages and look forward to thanking you all for your support when I return.
I believe in this cause and have personally donated the first $1,000.
Update:
I started the trail on March 5, 2019. As of March 24, 2019, I have made it through Georgia and in to North Carolina. I have over 12 US States left to go…
****
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
DONATE to my campaign between now and October 1, 2019.
All proceeds will benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation.
GOAL: $100,000 by Oct. 1, 2019
(roughly $45.45 per mile!)
SHARE THIS LINK: In addition to your donations, I am asking you to please share this campaign with everyone you know (via text, email, social media, etc.). #jasonsATwalk2019
No donation is too small! Every dollar counts!
With your support, I WILL ACHIEVE THIS GOAL!
Organizer
Jason McGimpsey
Organizer
Peekskill, NY
Gary Sinise Foundation
Beneficiary