BENTON - Since July, Michael Gorham has logged 485 miles on his bike or in his jogging shoes and helped raise $580 for a campaign he started to fund veterans memorials in Lafayette County.
A longtime law enforcement officer, Gorham pledged to bike or run 5 miles for every $5 raised for the charity "Team Lafayette Campaign" through T-shirt sales.
Donations since July have gone toward the upkeep or building of veterans memorials in Darlington ($220), Hazel Green ($125), South Wayne ($100), Shullsburg ($85) and Benton ($50).
James Johnson, another participant in Team Lafayette Campaign, competed in the Tough Mudder competition to raise awareness for his fellow veterans and his friend and fallen comrade Sgt. Jakob Roelli. Johnson is a Iraq vet who has worked with the Darlington Police and Fire Departments.
The project's latest awareness campaign has been for Roelli and Sgt. Jesse Grindey, two area soldiers who died within the past year in Afghanistan, and the local first responders who played a significant role in bringing them home to rest.
Team Lafayette Campaign members sell T-shirts with a distinctive insignia honoring Roelli, Grindey and the local firefighters, EMS workers and law enforcement. Cost is $15 to $17. Anyone interested in purchasing a T-shirt or volunteering in the campaign can contact Gorham at chiefgorham@yahoo.com.
A longtime law enforcement officer, Gorham pledged to bike or run 5 miles for every $5 raised for the charity "Team Lafayette Campaign" through T-shirt sales.
Donations since July have gone toward the upkeep or building of veterans memorials in Darlington ($220), Hazel Green ($125), South Wayne ($100), Shullsburg ($85) and Benton ($50).
James Johnson, another participant in Team Lafayette Campaign, competed in the Tough Mudder competition to raise awareness for his fellow veterans and his friend and fallen comrade Sgt. Jakob Roelli. Johnson is a Iraq vet who has worked with the Darlington Police and Fire Departments.
The project's latest awareness campaign has been for Roelli and Sgt. Jesse Grindey, two area soldiers who died within the past year in Afghanistan, and the local first responders who played a significant role in bringing them home to rest.
Team Lafayette Campaign members sell T-shirts with a distinctive insignia honoring Roelli, Grindey and the local firefighters, EMS workers and law enforcement. Cost is $15 to $17. Anyone interested in purchasing a T-shirt or volunteering in the campaign can contact Gorham at chiefgorham@yahoo.com.