Skydivers to take plunge with wounded veterans

By Eric Feber

The Virginian-Pilot

A group wants to jump out of airplanes today with military veterans.

Skydive Suffolk, a professional skydiving training and instruction center based at the Suffolk Executive Airport, will close the facility at 1200 Gene Bolton Drive (off Airport Road) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for its "Jumping for a Purpose" fundraiser.

The company's certified instructors will pair up with 30 local members of the Wounded Warrior Project for an afternoon of skydiving. The fundraiser's goal is $10,000 to benefit several nonprofit programs that support the Wounded Warrior Project and their families.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a national group formed to honor, support and empower injured and wounded U.S. military personnel.

The Suffolk Ruritan Club and Suffolk Elks Lodge will sell barbecue dinners for $7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all of the proceeds benefitting Wounded Warriors. Other vendors will be on hand today to raise money for Wounded Warrior programs and initiatives.

"We hope to make this an annual event so we can continue our support for our military veterans," said Suffolk Ruritan president E.C. Harris.

Admission to the fundraiser is free, but donations will be accepted. Call (757) 620-8625 for details.

Eric Feber, (757) 222-5203, eric.feber @pilotonline.com