Chula Vista, CA - Each year, before the holidays, the Resident Athletes at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista do something unusual: they shoot 1,000 arrows each. In one day. It's called the Thousand Arrow Challenge, and it's become a bit of a legend in archery circles.
For the past couple of years, the Resident Athletes have focused their Thousand Arrow Challenge on something specific. Last year, they used the Challenge to raise money for a children's charity. This year, as many Americans are still missing family members who are serving overseas in the Armed Forces, the Resident Athletes are shooting their Thousand Arrow Challenge to benefit "Waves of Appreciation," a program of the United Service Organizations (USO).
Waves of Appreciation is a program begun by Pepperdine University Alumni to ensure that active troops traveling through the San Diego Airport during the holidays have food and beverages available to them. Volunteers with Waves of Appreciation will gather to supply, pack and distribute bags with snacks, water and other items that make the soldiers' journeys more comfortable.
The Resident Athletes will be joined in their challenge this year by members of the Roadrunner Archery Club, who will host a Shoot-A-Thon for their members, who are encouraged to shoot up to 300 arrows each. Together, the Resident Athletes and the members of the Roadrunner Archery Club will raise money for Waves of Appreciation by gathering pledges to sponsor the athletes while they complete their respective challenges. One hundred percent of all donations collected this year will go to the USO to support Waves of Appreciation.
By choosing to sponsor a Resident Athlete or Roadrunner Archery Club member, USA Archery members and fans can support members of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as encouraging the athletes to give their maximum effort in their own test of determination and strength. By simply pledging any amount of money for every arrow an archer shoots, you can be part of this extraordinary challenge while helping our men and women in the Military.
To get involved, please click to download the pledge form and flyer. Questions and information on how to pledge may be directed to Resident Athlete Program Manager Guy Krueger by clicking here.
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