By: Madeleine Willis
Heroes, Hogs, and Hotrods returned to the Square on Second, Saturday, June 10. The event is the largest fundraiser for non-profit organization Project Headspace and Timing. Project Headspace and Timing was unofficially organized in 2017. The Heroes, Hogs, and Hotrods fundraiser began in 2019.
Founder of Project Headspace and Timing, Eric Peterson, said the organization has seen a lot of growth this year, including a new trailer, an advocacy and crisis intervention program “Spartan Shield”, and finalizing a hotline.
“We have talked to both area hospitals and multiple police departments about what we are doing and we have a lot of support from all of them,” Peterson said.
This year they already had a few outreach events that aim to take veterans out to do constructive and productive things in nature. The trailer is packed with various different outdoor equipment for these outreach events including, kayaks, hiking and camping equipment, etc.
“We’ve seen so much benefit from that for just a multitude of reasons,” he said.
An all female veteran’s outreach group “Veil Valor” also was formed this year.
“A lot of female veterans, I found, have had a different experience than a lot of their male counterparts. So, we also wanted to create a separate program specifically run by female veterans, where they can do outreach events for the female veteran community,” Peterson said.
The outreach trailer was on display at the fundraiser this past weekend.
What was special to the event this year was an appearance from an assistant from Cigna Health, Gabby. Gabby came to Project Headspace and Timing through a grant awarded to the non-profit organization through Cigna. In addition to the monetary gift, the grant awarded an assistant for three months.
Peterson said Gabby helped the fundraiser from an administration standpoint.
“One thing people might notice as far as growth is that I feel like we are a little more organized, mostly thanks to Gabby,” he said.
Also new to the event this year is an online raffle, where you can bid on items and buy tickets for items online. Peterson was proud to explain the really cool raffle prizes from larger companies in the veteran and firearm space.
Peterson and the board were focused on the crisis and outreach side of Project Headspace and Timing this year, and it was recognized there is truly a need for the veteran advocacy program.
“This entire community really does support their veterans, and they are showing it in a multitude of ways. It’s a beautiful thing to get to watch unfold every day,” he said.
