An Asheville runners group collected more than $1,000, on their own, to help local veteran program after their running fundraiser was canceled due to COVID-19.

A group of runners based in Asheville, North Carolina collected more than $1,000, on their own, to help a local Veterans Treatment Court Program – which assists veterans who are struggling with addictions or metal illness and their families.

The group, The Couch to 5K program is a 12-week running plan for both beginner and returning runners that was scheduled to start in March 2020. It is sponsored by the attorneys at Fisher Stark, P.A. and 100% of the program’s registration proceeds were to be donated to the Veteran’s Treatment Court Program. However this year’s training was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Although the Couch to 5K program was cancelled, the participating runners took things into their own hands and still made donations to Buncombe’s Veterans Treatment Court program. The Buncombe Veterans Treatment Court Foundation’s motto is “No Veteran Left Behind”.

What Is A Veterans Treatment Court?
According to the website, BuncombeVeteransCourt.com, “A Veterans Treatment Court is a voluntary, court-supervised, intensive treatment court for U.S. Military Veterans charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony offenses who are struggling with addiction, mental illness and/or other co-occurring disorders.”

The website, JusticeForVets.org states, “Research continues to draw a link between substance use and combat-related mental illness. Left untreated, mental health disorders common among veterans can directly lead to involvement in the criminal justice system.”

John Mason, the chairman of the VTC (Veterans Treatment Court) Foundation said, “A person trying to recover and rehabilitate his life whose teeth hurt all the time has a real problem complying with the program. We fund such things as the dental assistance to help vets with their teeth.”

The $1,000 donation raised by the Couch to 5K group will assist veterans with expenses that could prevent them from participating in the VTC program. Donations also help with things like transportation, food, shelter and clothing.

The attorneys at Fisher Stark, P.A. are proud to help support veterans and their families. Fisher Stark, P.A. is a highly respected personal injury law firm in Asheville, NC, and provides experienced legal help for clients in Buncombe County and all of Western North Carolina.