Professional Bull Riders & Vikings’ Jared Allen Join Forces To Bring Homes To Wounded Warriors

Professional Bull Riders & Vikings’ Jared Allen Join Forces To Bring Homes To Wounded Warriors

For Immediate Release

PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS AND VIKINGS’ JARED ALLEN
JOIN FORCES TO BRING HOMES TO WOUNDED WARRIORS

 Partnership is a new venture for Allen and supports his H4WW Charity

PUEBLO, Colo. (June 28, 2013) — Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen’s casual foray into the world of bull riding has become the Professional Bull Riders latest venture and makes the five-time NFL Pro Bowler the newest member of the PBR’s corporate family.

Allen and the PBR are embarking on a partnership to benefit Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (H4WW), the charity Allen established in 2009 to provide new handicap-accessible homes and remodels to wounded veterans, who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan.  The PBR/Jared Allen project officially kicks off when the PBR Built Ford Tough Series resumes its season with the Express Employment Professionals Classic, Aug. 16-17, at Bok Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Since 2012, Allen has worked with the PBR as the owner of three bulls currently competing on the sport’s elite Built Ford Tough Series – H4WW Hot Iron, H4WW HY Test and H4WW Thumbs Up. With his bull’s handler, Minnesota stock contractor Matt Scharping, Allen has raised more than $100,000 to date from semen straw auctions, grassroots bull riding events and event winnings.

The association has also brought desired national and international awareness to H4WW.

“Just having bulls bucking in the PBR with our foundation name attached to them is a great opportunity,” said Allen. “We’ve developed some great traction and are continuing to grow, always looking for ways we can expand.”

Allen’s partnership with the PBR has evolved into a three-prong initiative .The PBR and Allen will promote and produce several high-profile bull riding events, donating the proceeds to H4WW’s custom home projects.

The two have also developed a text-to-win program which will drive donations for H4WW at Built Ford Tough Series events.  When Hot Iron, HY Test and Thumbs Up enter the arena, event attendees will be encouraged to text “WARRIOR” to “80088” along with their donations.

Branded merchandise rounds out the partnership.  Plush bulls representing Allen’s H4WW PBR stock, t-shirts and baseball caps will be a part of the line which launches this fall in conjunction with the resumption of the 2013 Built Ford Tough Series.

“PBR and H4WW have a natural tie-in; they stand for some of the same principles, God and country,” Allen said. “The fact that I can merge my interests to the benefit of both is great.”

Allen was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up on a ranch in Morgan Hill, Calif.  He still dabbles in roping – hence the calf roping celebration after his NFL sacks – and even got bucked off the back of a few cows when he was 5 years old.

“This is a great match,” said Allen.  “I’ve attended a few PBR events this year, pulled ropes for a few of the cowboys before their rides and took care of my bulls.  It’s cool to get back into that world a little bit.”

“The intensity and enthusiasm with which Jared approaches everything in life is addictive,” said Sean Gleason, chief operating officer of the PBR. “His dedication to H4WW and genuine interest in the PBR has helped us develop a program that will fulfill his needs and bring much deserved support and attention to some very noble initiatives.  We are honored to count him among our valued partners in the bull business.”

About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)

The PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the PBR. In just two decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sports phenomenon that reaches more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories worldwide. Its primetime programming, produced by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, airs domestically on CBS and CBS Sports Network. More than 2.5 million fans attend live events each year. The PBR has awarded more than $120 million in prize money and 25 riders have earned more than $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million – the most of any western-sports athlete in history. For more information on the PBR, go to PBR.com, or follow on Facebook atFacebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.

About Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors

Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors is a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of raising money to build or modify the homes of America’s injured Military Veterans. H4WW helps to build or modify homes so they are accessible and comfortable for our wounded vets.
Homes for Wounded Warriors was formed in October of 2009 by the MN Viking Jared Allen after he returned home from his USO trip to US Military Bases in the Middle East. Jared Allen was moved by the commitment, dedication, and sacrifices that our soldiers make every day to protect our freedom. He wanted to say thank you to every soldier in the only way that Jared Allen knows how. By embracing the conflict and making a positive life-changing difference in the lives of those who need it most, Jared and his H4WW will help make life for wounded vets just a little bit easier. For more information please visit www.homesforwoundedwarriors.com

Sergeant Colin Faust

Sergeant Colin Faust

Military Branch: United States Marines
Location: Minnesota
Build Completion: February 2015

Sergeant Colin Faust joined the United States Marines in 2009. In 2010 while on foot patrol in the northern Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Sgt. Faust stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost his left leg and severely injured his right leg and left arm.

In June of 2014, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW) broke ground in Minnetrista, Minnesota on its first-ever, built-from-the-ground-up, accessible home for Faust. In February of 2015, JAH4WW completed its first-ever complete ground home build in Minnetrista, Minnesota for Faust. The home includes customizations including accessible bathrooms and kitchen and an elevator donated by Midwest Elevator and Drilling.

To successfully complete the build, JAH4WW partnered with North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC), which included: Carpenters, Floorcoverers, Cement Masons, Title Setters, Brick Layers, Electricians, and Insulators through Homeco Insulators. Other contributors included: Wells Fargo, Semper Fi Fund, Denali Homes, and Russ Drake Construction.

MESSAGES FROM SUPPORTERS

Event Photos

Wells Fargo Day at Colin Faust's Home Build - CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Colin Faust - CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY

Progress Photos of Home - CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY

Wounded Warrior Press Release

Wounded Warrior Press Release

Los Angeles, CA., June 17, 2013 – Five-Time Pro Bowler and All Pro NFL star, Jared Allen, of the Minnesota Vikings selects three new wounded war veterans to be beneficiaries of  the Jared Allen’s Homes 4 Wounded WarriorsFoundation.  The three wounded war veterans will be provided the opportunity to live in functional retrofitted homes compliments of Jared Allen’s Foundation.

Jared Allen’s Homes 4 Wounded Warriors provides homes, home modifications and remodels for our wounded war veterans who sustained life altering injuries in battle. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jared Allen works with the Department of Veteran Affairs to locate the wounded Veterans that need his assistance and remains hands on throughout the entire process..

“I feel that the men and women, who have fought for our country and sacrificed so much so that we can live the American Dream, should be given the opportunity to live in a functional home.  I am so blessed and honored to meet each one of these soldiers and hope that our efforts can help to bring peace and comfort to their daily lives. We are so thankful for our sponsors and all of those who have helped us to raise funds through donations and event participation. Our hope is to continue to grow each and every year so that we can help more of our soldiers in need.”

-Jared Allen

Specialist Andrew Hanson 

Specialist Andrew Hanson 

Military Branch: Army
Location: Minnesota
Build Completion: 2014

Specialist Andrew Hanson joined the United States Army National Guard while still in high school in 2003. While serving in CSC Scania, Iraq in 2007, Specialist Hanson was hit by an explosive forced projectile (EFP) and lost both of his legs. After hearing Hanson’s story, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors (JAH4WW) purchased additional land from Hanson’s neighbors to help expand upon his existing home.

In March of 2014, JAH4WW along with a dozen contributors and volunteers successfully completed the remodel of Hanson’s newly accessible home. The remodel includes an open kitchen, widened doorways, indoor and outdoor ramps, and new appliances just to name a few. Lund Boats also partnered with JAH4WW foundation to provide Hanson with a new boat, so he can continue to enjoy his passion for walleye fishing.

MESSAGES FROM SUPPORTERS

Event Photos

Staff Sergeant Ken Champlin

Staff Sergeant Ken Champlin

Military Branch: United States Marine
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Build Completion: February 2014

United States Marine Staff Sergeant Ken Champlin lost both of his legs below the knees and suffered a traumatic brain injury from an IED attack during a dismounted patrol in Al Anbar Province Iraq. Upon arriving back to his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, Champlin quickly discovered that his living accommodations were not conducive to using prosthetics or a wheelchair.

After hearing his story, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors purchased a home for him. They partnered with Peak One Builders & Restoration to successfully complete the necessary remodel upgrades to make his home accessible.

The renovations include an open kitchen, widened doorways, indoor and outdoor ramps, new appliances and mounted televisions, a newly built master bedroom, wheelchair accessible bathroom, an outdoor garage, and a barbecue area.

On February 13th, 2014, SSGT Ken officially received the keys to his newly remodeled home. He will now live safely and comfortably in his own home.

MESSAGES FROM SUPPORTERS

Event Photos