Eagles on the run!

Members of Team Red, White & Blue came to Long Beach for a cold morning run and a hot pancake breakfast to promote veterans’ causes, recently. The event, hosted by the Long Beach VFW, raised funds for a locally-based wellness center for combat veterans, Peaceful Minds.

Team RWB is a national organization dedicated to enriching the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their local communities through physical and social activity. Open to both veterans and non-veterans, the Long Island chapter of RWB boasts more than 300 members, who are often referred to as “Eagles.”

Founded by Long Beach resident Amy Mahoney, Peaceful Minds has provided hundreds of free treatments for post-9/11 combat veterans since its founding in 2010. Information on Peaceful Minds can be found at www.peacefulmindsnyc.org, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/peacefulmindsnyc.

The January 17 event featured a 2-mile run/walk along the bayfront to Veterans Park, ending back at the VFW where the River Mill Tavern of Lynbrook provided a free breakfast for all participants and painting activities were available for the kids. Members of the VFW, Blue Star Moms, Nassau Community College Student-Veterans, as well as Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky stopped by to lend their support for the event.

Team RWB members were back in Long Beach this past Saturday to lead a “Hot Chocolate Run” on the boardwalk for local runners and walkers, which was followed by a social at Shine’s Bar. Its next local run will take place on Saturday, February 27. Team RWB can be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamRWBLongIsland.