TOMS RIVER – A 5K is just over three miles. 16,000 feet. It’s a long distance, and the money raised can go a long way.
The 5K was held at Winding River Park and run by Recalibrate, an organization that delivers “social connection for disconnected veterans and first responders” by using wellness activities such as fitness, surfing, yoga, and peer recovery meetings. “We are a group of veterans who are banding together to spur one another on to lives of betterment and purpose. We are experienced, credible, and available for one another,” the group’s website stated.
The event raised $5,000 and awareness for Recalibrate and for Just Believe, which takes care of the homeless in the area.
“Together, we raised awareness for the cause and have raised over $5,000 in just under a month. The support from the community and our community leaders in attendance instills confidence that the mission of establishing transitional housing for homeless in Ocean County will be successful,” Just Believe Executive Director Paul Hulse said.
Davies Adepoju, an employee from the Toms River Clerk’s office, took first place with a time of 20:26 which is a pace of 6:35 a mile, Toms River Township reported.
Toms River council members took part in the race and local elected officials showed their support.
Recalibrate held the event in honor of Marine Cpl. Rory Hamill. In 2019, Hamill spoke at the Toms River library, urging veterans to get the help they need. He shared his journey, a local kid in an abusive home who had a lot of hardships early on. He joined the military when he was 17.
“I was way over my head and didn’t realize what I was getting myself into,” he said.
In 2011, he was in Afghanistan. Another officer was nervous about sweeping for mines, so Hamill did it instead. He lost his leg to an IED.
The Marine was hospitalized and discharged after a year and half, then came back to New Jersey. “I was extremely lost. My weekends consisted of just going out and drinking to excess. I had no drive or motivation. I was working a job but not really showing up. A lot of problems from my childhood started to surface as well combined with the trauma of combat.”
He got psychological help in 2015 and worked with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office helping other veterans in need.
Last year, as the world shut down from the pandemic, he wrote on social media “My own personal hell has been reignited.” He committed suicide shortly thereafter. He was married and a father of three.
Groups like Recalibrate work to fight the isolation that veterans feel since they are able to understand what another veteran is going through.
Upcoming Events
Just Believe or Recalibrate are hosting the following events:
Just Believe Craft Fair: May 22 at 9 a.m. at 250 Riverwood Dr. in Toms River. There will be many great crafts, a 50/50 and food and beverages for sale. All proceeds to benefit the building fund.
Just Believe Golf Outing: August 9 at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck. Registration and lunch will be from 11 to 12:30 p.m. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. The cocktail reception and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. If you’re not a golfer, separate tickets can be purchased for the reception and auction. Anyone wishing to participate in the outing, or would like to purchase a sponsorship should contact Theresa Mondella at 732-904-0257.
Recalibrate Workout: On the 3rd Sunday of every month, at 10:30 a.m. at Apache Crossfit in Toms River. Veterans are welcome to participate in team-based workouts that are scalable to anyone’s age or capability.
Recalibrate Meet-up: “Each month we gather to make each other better. We share, we encourage, we prop one another up during weakness.” Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at Ocean Mental Health, Toms River.
Recalibrate Yoga: Free monthly sessions at Pure Toms River Yoga studio, Toms River. “Veterans are allowed to bring one guest; a friend or a family member, anyone in your life you’d like to share with.”
Recalibrate Mental Support: “Need someone to talk to? We have clinicians ready and standing by that want to come alongside you. We understand.”
For more information, visit JustBelieveInc.org and RecalibrateUSA.org.
