Nortrax 'Golf, Grub & Gravel' Benefits Travis Mills Foundation

Thu September 28, 2017
Forestry Equipment Guide

The Westbrook, Maine, Nortrax dealership hosted its 9th Annual "Golf, Grub & Gravel" event at Toddy Brook Golf Course in North Yarmouth, Maine, on Sept 15, 2017. One hundred percent of the proceeds were donated to the Travis Mills Foundation.

This unique day of fun was created nine years ago by Nortrax Territory Manager John Paradis and he continues to be a driving force behind its success. The beneficiaries of Golf Grub & Gravel are always military veteran organizations with the past three years benefiting the Travis Mills Foundation.

On April 10, 2012, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan was critically injured by an IED while on patrol, losing portions of both arms and both legs. He is one of five quadruple amputees to survive his injuries from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In September 2013, Mills founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a non-profit organization, to benefit and assist combat-injured veterans. In March of 2015, the foundation purchased the former Elizabeth Arden estate in Rome, Maine, and has renovated it in to a retreat.

The retreat is a "smart home" built to accommodate other amputee veterans designed to fill a vital role in the recovery, camaraderie, spousal support, reconnection, relaxation and reintegration. It is also a place where they can relax and enjoy a wide range of adaptive sports and activities with their families. They meet other families and form bonds that will last a lifetime.

Mills and his family had a vision to bring recalibrated warriors (recalibrated is what Mills calls himself) to Maine so that these men could continue their recovery and rehabilitation. That vision became complete when they opened their doors in June to host their first families the week of July 4, 2017. Nortrax also is a Silver Sponsor of the TMF and has donated more than $155,000 in use of John Deere equipment for grounds work during renovations at the retreat.

Nortrax employees volunteered their personal time to assist in the makeover and will continue to support the TMF to ensure more families experience this amazing foundation.

For more information about Nortrax, visit www.nortrax.com.

For more information about the Travis Mills Foundation, visit www.travismillsfoundation.com.