Paddle for the heroes: North Carolina professor will paddle 170 miles for Paddling for Pennies

When High Point University professor Matt Jenkins first heard of Paddling for Pennies, he was excited about a potential partnership between the School of Communication and the local non-profit to support veteran causes.

 

Jenkins, who teaches in the strategic communication department, saw it as an opportunity for professors and students to go out and raise money through donations by paddling 170 miles from Boone, N.C., to Foster Falls, Va., along the New River.

 

As a flight engineer, Jenkins spent 10 years in the United States Air Force Reserves. During his time in service, he was stationed worldwide and came from generations of service. He believes non-profit organizations such as Paddling for Pennies make the largest impact in generating lasting relationships amongst their community and making a real difference.

 

“Paddling for Pennies forms an intimate relationship with those that they helped or help because they get to know those individuals,” said Jenkins.

 

The event will occur from June 3 through June 9. 10 professors from High Point University are participating in the event, and their goal is to raise $50,000.

 

“I know that seems intimidating,” Jenkins said, “but there are minimal rapids on this section of the new river, and it should be a fun experience. In addition to the per-mile amount we may raise, we want to have some special Facebook live events throughout the week where people can watch what's happening and donate.”

 

Paddling for Pennies is a non-profit organization founded in North Carolina by Paul Zais and Allen Williford in 2013. This foundation's mission is to support veterans and first responders in their physical, mental and emotional needs.

 

They intend to further the awareness of the event by doing a cross-Triad collaboration with the Aggie Battalion Army and Air Force ROTC at North Carolina A&T. The battalions have students enrolled in their department across multiple universities in the triad—students like Jonathan Hahn.

 

“My experience with Army ROTC and going to HPU has been very different from each other, but the outcomes of both experiences have provided very similar lessons. My semesters have included everything from meeting with Steve Wozniak in order to discuss the life of a young entrepreneur, to meeting with the Sergeant Major of the Army to discuss the future of our nation. Both opportunities have provided me with the chance to develop as a person, and they have provided very similar learning outcomes: accountability, transformational leadership, personal development, trust, and selflessness,” said Hahn.

 

High Point University senior Jonathan Hahn has been a part of the Army ROTC Aggie Battalion at North Carolina A&T for three years. He is currently serving in the United States Army Reserves. During his time in the reserves, he has had many achievements and actively looks for new ways he can volunteer or participate in veteran community events.

 

“I have gotten involved with fundraising events and veterans affairs for the same reason that I decided to join the Army reserves while working in the investment industry: this country needs more intelligent, forward-thinking servant leadership,” said Hahn, “if people see your plan, which builds on a cause to take care of people, then they will help you achieve it. While it’s nice to think that people will do things in life purely out of the goodness of their own hearts, you’re going to reach a larger crowd if there is a strong cause and motive that results in emotional stability while simultaneously being active as a fiduciary.”

 

Furthering the preparation for this event, Jenkins has a highly motivated group of students from his public relations class putting together a campaign to raise awareness and share the importance of the event. Students will be working on promotional material, events, and how to target the community to ensure the event succeeds, giving them real-world experience.

 

“I needed to find a reliable client for my PR class,” said Jenkins, “ and in the last couple of semesters, I have had clients who were not as responsive and did not give them the ability to have a real working relationship, so I felt bad that my students did not have the sort of a robust opportunity to a real-world project, and so I went out looking and I found this organization.”

 

First responders and veterans from all over are plagued with many challenges. Allen Williford, one of the founders of Paddling for Pennies, understood this, so he aimed to create a non-profit organization to help aid first responders and veterans.

 

“He’s very humble. He is a very passionate man and gets emotional about the connections that his organization can make through their support,” said Jenkins.

 

Paddling with the professors is looking for all the community support they can get and encourages locals, students, professors, and anyone in the Triad to come out and cheer them on as they go on their 170-mile mission to paddle for the heroes.