Reservists raise money to help match war dogs with war vets

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bernie Kale
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
11/26/2014 DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Tech. Sgt. Carolina Rodriquez didn't set out to run a 10K race, let alone raise thousands of dollars for a charity, but that's exactly what happened through a surprising chain of events.

Within a year, Rodriquez, a loadmaster in the 709th Airlift Squadron, was running across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland, with 24 of her Bridge Warrior teammates raising money for War Dogs Making it Home.

"I knew before agreeing to this race, I wanted it to be for a charity," Rodriquez said. "Since most of the team members are affiliated with the military in some way, I suggested we pick an organization that helps our military members."

Rodriquez initially wasn't planning on running the race, but she posted it on her Facebook page to inform her running enthusiast friends to let them know about the new race, "Across the Bay 10K", where runners race across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge individually or as a team.

"Since other friends expressed interest in running the race, I began looking into getting a team together," Rodriquez said. "I began asking people at work and even asked a couple of my cousins."

"From December 2013 until the date of the race (Nov. 9), Carolina served as the captain-motivator-cheerleader," said Master Sgt. Ron Broccolino, 709th AS loadmaster and co-worker of Rodriquez. "She formed the team, coordinated with the charity, booked hotel reservations for her team members. She drove this thing tirelessly and cheerfully, and deserves all the credit for the success of this effort."

She said she was surprised to get the amount of positive responses that she did, except when it came to raising money. Although Rodriquez had set the team fundraising goal to $1,000; they had raised less than half of that after six months.

That's when she called in the big guns.

"As an added incentive to reach our fundraising goal, I mentioned to my cousin that maybe I would agree to run in a tutu if we would reach our goal by Nov. 2," Rodriquez said. "Before I knew it, (my cousin) had posted the 'tutu challenge' on Facebook."

While wearing a tutu may not be a big deal for some people, this was a monumental challenge for Rodriquez to lay down.

"Anyone who knows me knows I don't like wearing 'girlie' things or wearing costumes," Rodriquez said. "Especially when I'm running."

The money was quickly made and had exceeded the deadline by the end of September, and Rodriquez would have to fulfill the promise she made to her team.

So, she decided to pay it forward.

"A coworker asked how much it would take to get Broccolino in a tutu," Rodriquez said. "After some coaxing, he agreed to run in a tutu if we raised a total of $2,000."

Broccolino thought he was safe, considering how long it took to raise the first $1,000; and he was completely wrong.

Within three weeks, the team raised the additional money, and Broccolino was on the hook for wearing a tutu at the 10K race.

"I was willing to look and feel silly to help generate funds for a great cause like War Dogs," Rodriquez said. "I am also thankful (Broccolino) was a good sport and willing to put himself out there for the cause as well."

When race day finally came upon the team, they were ready and excited to finish what they set out to do nearly a year ago. Rodriquez was especially eager, after the amount of time and effort she put into making this happen. Her team raised nearly $2,800 for War Dogs Making it Home.

"War Dogs helps veterans better manage the invisible and lifelong challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury," the mission statement on War Dog's website states. "By pairing them with dogs, they help rescue and train to be their service dogs. The veterans are saving the dogs lives and the dogs are saving theirs, creating a better life for both."

Rodriquez said that she is most proud of what her team was able to accomplish.

"For many it was their first 10K, and all of our team finished," Rodriquez said. "They did awesome, and I am blessed to call them my friends and family."