The Combat Wounded Coalition will have its annual Jumping for a Purpose skydiving event next Saturday at Skydive Suffolk.

Combat wounded veterans and Gold Star family members will have the chance to jump out of a plane to help empower them to live greatly and overcome adversity.

“The whole reason we have this event, and the reason for the Combat Wounded Coalition, is to empower vets to take their lives back, whether it’s a traumatic brain injuries, physical injuries or PTSD,” said media volunteer Beth Miller. “We want to give them the power to overcome scars of war.”

The day will consist of more than just skydiving. There will be vendors there as well, and a portion of their sales will go directly to the Coalition. Skydive Suffolk also provides instructors for free.

“It’s a family-friendly event, and we just take veterans in tandem skydiving teams,” Miller said. “Some of the jumpers are even amputees or blind.”

Sponsorships are still available at every level, and one of the opportunities allows people to sponsor a jumper. Sponsoring a jumper allows them to meet the veteran they have sponsored.

“It’s a really great chance for sponsors to meet the jumpers and to start forging a relationship together,” Miller said.
All the money donated goes to the Coalition, and the Coalition uses the funds for their Overcome Academy, which is designed to help combat wounded warriors find their place as leaders within the civilian world with the goal of developing the next “Greatest Generation.”

Those taking a leap out of the plane on Saturday have finished the two-week program, and the skydive is the culminating event.

“The fundraising helps pay for lodging, food and a laptop computer,” Miller said. “We help with the whole mind, body and spirit.”

The jumps will start at 10 a.m. Oct. 13 at Skydive Suffolk, 1200 Gene Bolton Drive. Mayor Linda T. Johnson will make opening remarks at 9:15 a.m.

For more information, visit combatwoundedcoalition.org.