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Boar's Head Brigade to Host 2022 Courageous Challenge
For the third consecutive year the Cadets of the University of North Georgia will host the Courageous Challenge. This will be the seventh year that Armed Forces Mission (AFM) has conducted the event, all for the purpose of raising awareness and funds to reduce suicide.
The Courageous Challenge is AFM's annual fund-raising event to underwrite the Intervene Challenge world-class Suicide Intervention Training. More than 22,000 individuals have taken the training, taught by NG alum, Chaplain Kenneth "Lou" Koon. Funds raised at North Georgia remain in the North Georgia region. The 9th Congressional District has for the past several years had the highest rate of suicide in the state.
The UNG Alumni Association has hosted AFM training since 2018. The following year Sigma Nu Alumni Association joined the effort and in 2020 the Cadets joined the effort hosting the first Courageous Challenge at UNG. Due to COVID the 2020 event was postponed until February of 2021. The 2021 event was conducted in September of 2021. In total the Boar's Head Brigade raised more than $37,000 for suicide intervention in the first two events.
The Courageous Challenge 2022 is scheduled for Saturday August 27th. Seven Cadets from each company will knock out 3 minutes of push-ups for a total of 21 minutes. Another minute of push-ups will be conducted by the top cadet from each company in a head-to-head competition for individual grand champion. That's a total of 22 minutes as a reminder of the 22 veterans a day that die by suicide.
In addition to the individual grand champion, trophies are presented to the top company for most pushups and the top fund-raising company.
Help make the 2022 Courageous Challenge the best yet with your donation in honor of your favorite company. Give today and learn more about our theme for the 2022 Courageous Challenge...
The Courageous Challenge is AFM's annual fund-raising event to underwrite the Intervene Challenge world-class Suicide Intervention Training. More than 22,000 individuals have taken the training, taught by NG alum, Chaplain Kenneth "Lou" Koon. Funds raised at North Georgia remain in the North Georgia region. The 9th Congressional District has for the past several years had the highest rate of suicide in the state.
The UNG Alumni Association has hosted AFM training since 2018. The following year Sigma Nu Alumni Association joined the effort and in 2020 the Cadets joined the effort hosting the first Courageous Challenge at UNG. Due to COVID the 2020 event was postponed until February of 2021. The 2021 event was conducted in September of 2021. In total the Boar's Head Brigade raised more than $37,000 for suicide intervention in the first two events.
The Courageous Challenge 2022 is scheduled for Saturday August 27th. Seven Cadets from each company will knock out 3 minutes of push-ups for a total of 21 minutes. Another minute of push-ups will be conducted by the top cadet from each company in a head-to-head competition for individual grand champion. That's a total of 22 minutes as a reminder of the 22 veterans a day that die by suicide.
In addition to the individual grand champion, trophies are presented to the top company for most pushups and the top fund-raising company.
Help make the 2022 Courageous Challenge the best yet with your donation in honor of your favorite company. Give today and learn more about our theme for the 2022 Courageous Challenge...
Courageous Challenge 2021 with the Boar's Head Brigade
Raised More Than $37,000 to Reduce Suicide
In 2021 the UNG Corps of Cadets conducted a Winter and Fall Courageous Challenge raising more than $37,000 to address the epidemic of suicide within North Georgia's 9th Congressional District. Funds raised support the Intervene Challenge training events to train community members from all walks of life in the skills that safe lives.
The Bar Has Been Set!
Which Company Will Bring It On 27 August 2022?
Which Company Will Bring It On 27 August 2022?
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THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
May 8 2021 after Corps experienced a loss
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On May 7, 2021 I recieved word that the corps had experienced the loss of a graduating student. The next day was graduation day. I spent time with the Cadets completing NCO training. I told them that day, "THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"
This summer I buried a friend and NGC alumni, Rick Estes. It was the 60th suicide I have had to deal with in the past three years. THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Your help is needed more than ever to turn the tide on suicide. Chaplain Ken Koon |
July 22 2021 UNG Intervene Challenge
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July 2021 more than 60 community members and students participated in the Intervene Challenge in the Convocation Center at UNG. The event was hosted by the Alumni Association and made possible because of the support of Sigma Nu Alumni and the cadets that raised funds in the February Challenge.
With your support we will continue to build a network of care in the North Georgia region. |
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A huge thanks to NGC Alum, Meredith Pyott for her willingness to share her story after the loss of her husband Col. Mike Pyatt, former PMS for the Corps of Cadets.
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Past Event February 2021 (What should have been September 2020 but for COVID)
Day of Event Interviews
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When the desired end state is the saving of lives, what do you do? To assure success, you task the Corps of Cadets at the University of North Georgia with the mission. What do they do? 6830 push ups to raise $13,326 to turn the tide on suicide.
The 2021 Courageous Challenge was indeed a tremendous success, due in its entirety to the commitment, leadership, and passion of the Cadets of North Georgia. You did the push-ups, you gathered the donors, from preplanning to execution you provided input and managed the process.
As a result, we ended the day at 133% of our goal which will be used to turn the tide on suicide in the north Georgia region beginning with the training of the Boar’s Head Brigade.
This was the 5th Courageous Challenge AFM has conducted and by far my new favorite for several reasons. 2021 was a year of FIRST. The first year at UNG. The first year utilizing the Corps of Cadets. The first year we have ever gone over goal by 33%. The first year AFM relied on individuals rather than corporations to be the source of support. The first year any one team has ever raised over $5,000 toward the goal.
Of great significance it was also the first year that the AFM leadership team could actually take the time to enjoy the process rather than expending energy managing all the parts. You the Cadets took ownership; you worked the plan and the plan worked. It was so inspiring to me and such an encouragement to AFM leaders to see you lead. At the end of the day, I was energized and overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to once again be involved in the Corps of Cadets.
Congratulations to Echo Company on knocking out the most push-ups and Noah Umezaki, with HHC for winning the Individual Champion Award.
Special thanks to c/Maj Wyatt Lastinger and the Association of Cadet Chaplains. For his efforts Lastinger received the AFM Battle Buddy of the Quarter Award.
To c/CPT Carson Doyle and all of Golf Company for leading the way in most funds raised by a single team ever. Golf Company gathered 59% of all donors, raised 59% of the $10,000 total goal for the day, and hit 390% of their company goal.
To the various sections. S5 for the live streaming, S6 for the epic music that got us all pumped up, and S3 for set up. You all made it a great day for AFM by taking care of these very important details.
To the Scabbard and Blade. For the first time ever, we didn’t have to worry about counting. I love civilians but they struggle to know what a real push up is. Your leadership rounded out an incredible day.
To the Commandant and staff, thank you for your support and for the opportunity to partner with the Corps of Cadets. Together we will build a network of care that turns the tide on suicide.
Finally, to all our donors, you made it possible for the ripple effect to begin. Awareness has been raised. Funds have been raised. Now we will work toward the raising of a generation of cadets that will take lifesaving skills into the next chapter of their lives so that in uniform or in the civilian world they will continue to carry on the creed that we serve the people of the United States of America.
Thank you all for making the 2021 Courageous Challenge the best ever!
Kenneth Lou Koon
President
Armed Forces Mission
The 2021 Courageous Challenge was indeed a tremendous success, due in its entirety to the commitment, leadership, and passion of the Cadets of North Georgia. You did the push-ups, you gathered the donors, from preplanning to execution you provided input and managed the process.
As a result, we ended the day at 133% of our goal which will be used to turn the tide on suicide in the north Georgia region beginning with the training of the Boar’s Head Brigade.
This was the 5th Courageous Challenge AFM has conducted and by far my new favorite for several reasons. 2021 was a year of FIRST. The first year at UNG. The first year utilizing the Corps of Cadets. The first year we have ever gone over goal by 33%. The first year AFM relied on individuals rather than corporations to be the source of support. The first year any one team has ever raised over $5,000 toward the goal.
Of great significance it was also the first year that the AFM leadership team could actually take the time to enjoy the process rather than expending energy managing all the parts. You the Cadets took ownership; you worked the plan and the plan worked. It was so inspiring to me and such an encouragement to AFM leaders to see you lead. At the end of the day, I was energized and overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to once again be involved in the Corps of Cadets.
Congratulations to Echo Company on knocking out the most push-ups and Noah Umezaki, with HHC for winning the Individual Champion Award.
Special thanks to c/Maj Wyatt Lastinger and the Association of Cadet Chaplains. For his efforts Lastinger received the AFM Battle Buddy of the Quarter Award.
To c/CPT Carson Doyle and all of Golf Company for leading the way in most funds raised by a single team ever. Golf Company gathered 59% of all donors, raised 59% of the $10,000 total goal for the day, and hit 390% of their company goal.
To the various sections. S5 for the live streaming, S6 for the epic music that got us all pumped up, and S3 for set up. You all made it a great day for AFM by taking care of these very important details.
To the Scabbard and Blade. For the first time ever, we didn’t have to worry about counting. I love civilians but they struggle to know what a real push up is. Your leadership rounded out an incredible day.
To the Commandant and staff, thank you for your support and for the opportunity to partner with the Corps of Cadets. Together we will build a network of care that turns the tide on suicide.
Finally, to all our donors, you made it possible for the ripple effect to begin. Awareness has been raised. Funds have been raised. Now we will work toward the raising of a generation of cadets that will take lifesaving skills into the next chapter of their lives so that in uniform or in the civilian world they will continue to carry on the creed that we serve the people of the United States of America.
Thank you all for making the 2021 Courageous Challenge the best ever!
Kenneth Lou Koon
President
Armed Forces Mission
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Armed Forces Mission is extremely excited to partner with the Boar's Head Brigade of the University of North Georgia's Corps of Cadets for the 2021 Courageous Challenge!
On February 13, 2021 at the UNG Dahlonega campus teams from each company within the Brigade will give it their best in seven heats of three minute rounds of team push ups all for the purpose of turning the tide on suicide! The Courageous Challenge is the annual Push Up Event of Armed Forces Mission (AFM) to raise awareness and funds to provide direct rapid response suicide intervention of those at risk and the training of others to do the same. Because of the efforts of our Courageous Challenge participants, AFM has conducted more than 1,400 successful suicide interventions and trained nearly 18,000 individuals to do the same. |
For 30 Days beginning January 14 and concluding wth the last push up on February 13th we are seeking to raise $10,000. Join the cause by sponsoring your favorite company from the Boar's Head Brigade and together we will turn the tide on suicide. Hit the donate button and select your company of choice.
Latest Update
February 2021 Theme
Remember is our one word theme for the 2021 Courageous Challenge. After a year that many of us wish we could forget, we must remember that the crisis of 2020 escalated suicidal thought by 100% to 1 in 10 people. We must remember those that are no longer with us that tragically lost their lives to suicide. Most of all we must understand what it means to truly remember. The original Hebrew verb is zakar. Zakar does mean "to remember," but it also means "to bring someone to mind and then act upon that person's behalf." The Hebrew idea of remembering always includes acting on behalf of the one brought to mind.
The Courageous Challenge is an opportunity to be reminded of individuals in our lives, friends and family that may need someone to talk with, someone who will listen without judgment. Even now you may realize that there is someone in your life whose circumstances may be challenging right now. What will you do to act on their behalf now that they are brought to your mind? This is the challenge. Be COURAGEOUS! Take the lead. Ask the question. Lead others to a place of safety. Turn the tide on suicide. Remember!
The Courageous Challenge is an opportunity to be reminded of individuals in our lives, friends and family that may need someone to talk with, someone who will listen without judgment. Even now you may realize that there is someone in your life whose circumstances may be challenging right now. What will you do to act on their behalf now that they are brought to your mind? This is the challenge. Be COURAGEOUS! Take the lead. Ask the question. Lead others to a place of safety. Turn the tide on suicide. Remember!
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