Campus organization hosts softball game for Paws and Stripes

By Laura Levitt and Monica Yantosh

Three tours in Iraq left Jim Stanek with a traumatic brain injury and chronic severe post traumatic stress disorder, and his transition back to the states wasn’t easy.

“I didn’t want to socialize, didn’t want to go to public,” Stanek said. “I was having a hard time communicating with family members.”

Stanek was put on medication and went to therapy, but he struggled to live a normal life.

“I had an empty tool bag and I needed tools to help me get through civilian life,” he said.

Stanek tried different “tools” to manage his PTSD, but struggled to find one that worked. Then his wife found a stray dog on the side of the highway and gave her a home. At first she was a just a pet, but Stanek realized that the dog was helping him.

“Life with Sarge is not hell,” he said. “It’s like hell light. I’ve still got my issues with crowds, [but] Sarge helps me navigate those.”

Stanek and his wife started Paws and Stripes, an organization that pairs dogs with service men who have PTSD.

“Paws and Stripes has trainers contracted through our program, who have service dogs themselves, for their disabilities, and [we have] found a way that we can train rescue dogs,” Stanek said.

Stanek and Sarge came to campus this weekend to play in a charity softball game organized by Elon’s Team Hero, an organization that works to support military men and women. The softball game’s goal was to raise money for Paws and Stripes.

Stanek is thankful for Team Hero’s help and thinks everyone can learn a lesson from the organization’s work.

“Everyone needs something to do [and] Team Hero is an action,” Stanek said. “Don’t sit with the blinds closed. Open up the blinds and let the sun in.”

Team Hero raised more than $2,000 for Paws and Stripes.

Elon student organization raises awareness of veteran’s service

By Brian Mezerski

More than 20 students and community volunteers spent their Veterans Day helping the Team Hero organization build care packages to be sent to veterans.

Team Hero is a student organization that raises funds for veteran and military support. Clara Martin started the program last year and is grateful for the help at the drive.

“I loved how excited the volunteers were and it was heartwarming to see them share my passion for supporting members of the military,” Martin said. “It was great to see how much they really cared to put together a care package for a total stranger that they will probably never meet.”

Vietnam veteran David Burnett Jr. joined the volunteers because he remembers receiving support when he was overseas.

“It makes me feel proud that people are thinking about troops overseas,”  Burnett said. “It felt good to know that somebody back home was caring about us.”

But Martin has a greater purpose for Team Hero than simply hosting events.  She hopes students involved gain a better appreciation for those involved in the military.“The goal of this event was to remind students, faculty and staff that Veterans Day needs to be remembered, and the least we can do is say ‘thank you.’” Martin said.

Team Hero raises funds for Paws and Stripes, a nonprofit organization in New Mexico.  The nonprofit provides service dogs for wounded veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury at no cost.  Martin set a goal last year to raise $2,000 for Paws and Stripes, enough to sponsor a veteran to enroll in the program.  She said they raised more than that, allowing not only a veteran but also a dog to enroll.

Reaching her goal encouraged Martin to organize this month’s Veteran’s Day care package drive. They used close to 450 student donations, which were assembled into over 70 packages. She also plans to host a softball tournament to generate more support for Paws and Stripes.

“The more people that know about Team Hero, the more veterans and active duty service members receive the attention and care they deserve,” Martin said.

To learn more about joining Elon’s Team Hero, visit their blog at elonteamhero.blogspot.com.