50 Legs Charity – Providing Help for New York’s Veteran Community

Having an intrinsic need to help others is one of the most basic feelings that almost every person has. After all, humans were built in a way that makes them prone to interaction, socialization, and the constant search for new relationships where they can thrive. Thus, it comes as absolutely no surprise that there are those who are willing to go above and beyond to aid their fellow men and women during their time of need.

Fortunately, there are hundreds of different ways in which one can help another person. They range from anything that involves basic monetary donations to actual involvement with events that raise capital or awareness for those in need. So, there is no shortage in the number of ways in which one can express themselves and lend a helping hand. What would be a great example of this notion? The rapidly growing "50 Legs Charity" organization that was started by Steve Chamberland.

What Exactly is the 50 Legs Charity?

According to a Pilates instructor who works with challenged athletes that may have a history of paralysis, amputation, and brain injury, Julie Gagnon-Erickson, 50 Legs Charity is an organization that offers a second chance to active amputees. They work with people who have undergone leg amputation and have a history of participating in sports or various forms of physical activity with the goal of helping them reach their full potential again. This was an idea that came from Mr. Chamberland who used to be a semi-pro football player, amateur hockey player, and a pro-level wrestler. As with everyone that his charity helps, Mr. Chamberland is a leg amputee himself. As Julie Gagnon-Erickson points out, this lends a tremendous amount of credibility to his endeavors.

The Intended Audience

Unlike a lot of other organizations, 50 Legs Charity is not limited to a certain body type or specific client base. Instead, they work with nearly anyone who underwent an amputation. This includes everyone from combat veterans who suffered battlefield injuries to young children who may have birth defects and must wear a prosthetic leg. Thus far, they have been able to aid dozens of individuals from each of their categories and their current model demonstrates that they will be able to maintain this level of efficiency for a long time.

Working with Veterans

One of the largest portions of 50 Legs Charity's client base comes from the veteran population that has experience with overseas deployments. First, they help these types of individuals by working closely with them and hiring them in some of the most important positions. Currently, the company's director is an Army veteran who spent 10 years in serving his country and has experience with overseas deployment as well as serious battle-related injury.

More importantly, however, the organization prioritizes the well-being of former service members who had to have their leg amputated but want to continue having an active lifestyle. For instance, one of the recipients of Mr. Chamberland's service went on to complete 108 half marathons, 15 triathlons, 4 marathons, and is currently on the NAAP pro team. Thus, 50 Legs Charity is arguably one of the most dominant charity organizations that has a strong presence here in Albany, where the current veteran population for the state exceeds 800,000.