Foar From Home: Go For Tomorrow

Four Veterans. 3,000 Nautical Miles. 50 Days.

In December 2021, four Veterans will launch from the Canary Islands to row 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean to Antigua in effort to raise awareness for Veteran PTSD and Veteran Suicide.

Paul Lore (United States Marine Corps), Cameron Hansen (United States Air Force), A.M. 'Hupp' Huppmann (United States Navy), and Billy Cimino (United States Army) chose to take on The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge over a year ago and will spend the next 10 months training to prepare for their launch.

The Challenge, dubbed "the world's toughest row," includes 30 teams from across the globe, all driven to complete the challenge to raise funds and awareness for charities of their choosing. But, the motivation for the Foar From Home team is one that hits close to home for each of them.

When leaving the United States Military Service, Veterans face serious challenges transitioning back to civilian life. Unfortunately, many veterans struggle with cognitive mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), re-integration and identity issues, financial and/or housing problems among other difficulties. It is estimated that more than 22 Veterans die by suicide every day.

Foar From Home hopes to raise $500,000 for Cross The Line Foundation and K9s for Warrior, organizations that support Veterans in everyday life. They're turning to their hometowns of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Nassau County for support. Over the past months of fundraising, their community has proven their commitment to helping the team affect Veteran change through their outpour of monetary donations, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and sharing the campaign.

The team purchased a DipJar to help fundraise and have seen success in using it at events and placing in a retail store to encourage additional public support!



Once they launch next December, the team will rotate rowing and resting in pairs of two, with a goal of rotating every two hours. Their boat will be stocked with dehydrated foods, a jet burner, and a marine water maker to produce fresh drinking water from seawater.

Past the sheer physical challenge, Paul and Hupp noted that they're preparing for the emotional and mental endurance needed to make the 50-day journey. Symbolically, they relate the struggle of completing this challenge to the challenge that Veterans experience every day.

"Veterans push every day. We can do this." - Paul Lore

We'll continue to cover Foar From Home's journey and fundraising with DipJar until their launch in December 2021.