This is part of 草莓传媒鈥檚 continuing coverage of people making a difference from our community authored by Stephanie Gaines-Bryant.聽Read more of that coverage.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu will be used as a form of therapy for veterans with disabilities in Lorton, Virginia, this weekend for Veterans Day.
is partnering with the and to host “Veterans Day Ruck & Roll” on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The goal, according to Capital MMA and Elite Fitness’ co-owner Chad Malone, is to help vets “challenge themselves with their fitness goals, learn some martial arts and just have fun together.鈥�
The event is open to veterans of all fitness levels and their families. Malone said participants will learn some basic grappling techniques through indoor and outdoor workouts. The event will conclude with a roll-a-thon, or “friendly sparring round.”
Proceeds will help raise funds for the We Defy Foundation鈥檚 scholarship program, which provides one-year scholarships to veterans for jiu-jitsu training. According to We Defy鈥檚 website, the organization has given over 780 scholarships to veterans at 600 affiliate gyms around the country since 2022.
“[We] just want to let them know that our community is here to support them,” Malone said.
For more information, and to reserve a spot at the event, . Admission is free and organizers are accepting donations.
