• One Lap Around 270 for PTSD @ Quaker Steak & Lube, Columbus, OH, 07-11-14

This past summer on July 11th Quaker Steak & Lube located at 8500 Lyra Drive in Columbus, Ohio hosted and was one of nine sponsors for One Lap Around 270 for PTSD to help raise awareness and donations for Driven With Purpose (drivenwithpurpose.org), an Ohio based educational and personal outreach program committed to helping our veterans and others suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

One Lap Around 270 for PTSD was organized by Robert Porter, according to information I found during my research for this blog because I went to the event to take photographs and not write a blog, and the donations raised went to help Battle Buddy Foundation: "Founded by Veterans to Serve Veterans" (www.tbbf.org),  a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide service dogs for veterans; and, to PTSD Survivors of America  (www.ptsdsurvivorsofamerica.org), another non-profit organization whose mission is "To educate, provide assistance and help awareness regarding Post-traumatic stress disorder." (www.ptsdsurvivorsofamerica.org)

OLA 270 for PTSD was opened to all vehicles, which of course included motorcycles, and to say the least, the turn out to support our veterans and others with PTSD from the central Ohio community was absolutely incredible! I also have to say this was the first event I have had the opportunity to attend where both the car and motorcycle communities came together, and the hot rods and cars that showed up were BAD-ASS!

But, with that said, there is so much more I can say about One Lap Around 270 for PTSD, such as the generous $500 donation from the Chosen Few Vette Club, and as described by Robert Porter the "Full CPD Presidential Escort around 270" provided by the Columbus Police Department for everyone driving the lap. But, I feel it would be more appropriate if I focus and end this blog passing along some information from the National Institute of Health about PTSD, and ask if you can donate to any of the organizations I mentioned in this blog post, please do.

Being an army veteran myself, I have friends who are suffering from PTSD, major depression, and chronic illnesses due to their service. I also know people that did not serve in the military, but because of an abusive relationship, situation and event in their lives are suffering from PTSD.

According to the National Institute of Health "PTSD affects about 7.7 million American adults; women are more likely to develop PTSD than men, and there is some evidence that the potential for the disorder may run in families; members of the military exposed to war/combat and other groups at high risk for trauma exposure are at risk for developing PTSD; and lastly, PTSD can occur at any age." (www.nlm.nih.gov)

• Driven With Purpose, www.drivenwithpurpose.org

• Battle Buddy Foundation: "Founded by Veterans to Serve  Veterans," www.tbbf.org

• PTSD Survivors of America, www.ptsdsurvivorsofamerica.org

MORE PICS FROM OLA 270 FOR PTSD