Community Rowing’s Military & Veterans Awarded Grant from DVNF

Community Rowing, Inc. (CRI) is honored to announce it has received a grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF), which will support its Military and Veterans Rowing program.

CRI’s military and veteran rowing program encourages individuals to build a sense of connectedness through a community of fellow veteran rowers, engage in positive competitive events, and relieve stress related to everyday life and the military experience. Military personnel can derive these benefits and more from rowing at CRI, particularly those with physical, psychological, and social adjustments upon their return to civilian life.

“Offering this program free of charge to all veterans and their families is an essential facet of our mission and strategic focus—it also represents a pathway for CRI and our community to demonstrate our thanks and respect for our veterans’ service to our country,” said Ted Benford, Executive Director of CRI. “We are grateful to DVNF for its continued support.”

Joseph VanFonda (USMC Sgt.Maj. Ret.), CEO of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation said, “Community Rowing Inc. provides a unique method for veterans to come together around one goal and grow together. It creates space for physical fitness and mental wellness through group activity and community through a team building sport. We are proud to support Community Rowing and their efforts to work with veterans through rowing.”

The CRI Military and Veterans Rowing program was established in 2010 and currently serves 225 individuals by offering on-water and indoor rowing classes at no-cost to active duty, reserve service members, national guard, and military veterans from every branch and era of military service, as well as their family members.

“Rowing teaches you teamwork and the idea of all pulling together toward a common goal. The military has the same idea, too,” said Franklin Schwarzer, a former Marine and current member of CRI’s military team. “It takes discipline, it takes a willingness to think about the good of the team over your own individual self... We’re all there for each other and understand each other better from shared experience being in the boat.”

CRI partners with veteran and military institutions in the Greater Boston community for one-day rowing lessons and social events, including several of the local Veterans Affairs facilities, the Boston Vet Center, the Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative, Hope for the Warriors, USO New England, Hanscom Air Force Base, Home Base veteran and family care, and Brighton Marine.

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Community Rowing Inc. was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the belief that the sport of rowing provides unique opportunities to promote personal and community growth through teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. We invite individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and experience to grow through rowing.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom. DVNF achieves this mission by:

• Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.

• Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
• Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
• Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community and educating the public accordingly.