Mangano & Former UFC Chamption Matt Serra Partner To Support Local Veterans With New Athletic Competition

Brick 26 Challenge to Test Athletic Ability, Support Local Veterans & Fund New Veteran Monument

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined today by Veterans Service Agency Director Joseph Pascarella; former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra; MMA Fighters Eddie Truck” Gordon, Pete “Drago” Sell, and Tom “The Terror English”; members of the Band “Non Stop to Cairo;” along with members of the newly incorporated non-profit organization Brick 26 Board; and local veterans at a press event to kick off the inaugural year of the County Executive Brick 26 Challenge. A unique walk/endurance run event, the County Executive Brick 26 Challenge is aimed at raising money to support our local veterans and for the construction of a new monument in Nassau County. The event is scheduled for August 4th in Eisenhower Park.

County Executive Mangano stated, “With many of our heroes returning home and a growing number of local veterans in need of financial, emotional and physical assistance events such as the Brick 26 Challenge can be of great assistance. I want to thank all of the supporters and sponsors who have gotten behind this idea and given of their time and talents to help and make this event a success. Their generosity will go a long way in helping our local heroes who have given up so much to protect our freedom.”

The County Executive Brick 26 Challenge, which is appropriately named for the weight of the five bricks that participants carry throughout the 10K race course in a backpack, is designed to test participants with a variety of obstacle courses along the route. From a one mile Honor Walk to a 10k course in which participants carry 26 pounds of bricks in a backpack with 4 military represented bootcamps. The event will appeal to all levels of athletes. Some 1,000 individuals are expected to participate.

Each course for the event is designed for many levels, from the walker to the ultra-athlete. In each case, at least one brick is carried by the participant throughout the course and collected at the end. All bricks will be used toward the construction of a monument to be placed outside the Nassau County Veterans Services Agency building in East Meadow. Each tower of the monument will stand 26 bricks high and feature an engraved dedication to our veterans. Personalized bricks may be purchased for a $100 donation. The name and rank of the veteran will appear on a metal plate attached to a monument brick.

Funds are raised through registration as well as participants who are urged to reach out through their social networking platforms, co-workers and others for support. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be donated to non-profit veteran groups including Semper4Soldiers, Honor Flight and a Veteran Hofstra Scholarship. Ninety five percent of the proceeds will remain on Long Island while 5 percent is earmarked for a national veteran organization. In February, Brick 26 launched Project 26 in Long Island Schools, with children each contributing 26 cents. The event resulted in the collection of more than $3,400.

The Brick 26 Challenge is sponsored by True Honor Clothing, Crossfit 516 and Pepsi, whose products include Gatorade, Aquafina, and Gatorade Energy Bars. It coincides with a Salute to Veterans on the evening of the event. For general information, email info@brick26.org. For volunteer questions, email volunteer@brick26.org.