BURLINGTON, NC – The Independence Fund and Atlas American Lighting presented an all-terrain trackchair to a seriously wounded veteran Friday September 10th at Atlas’ Burlington, North Carolina manufacturing facility.
Arrue Hopkins, a former US Army Specialist, served with the 151st Field Artillery Regiment and was diagnosed with a spinal cord condition upon return from a deployment to the Middle East in 2011 resulting in life-long mobility issues that have confined him to a wheelchair. The gift of a trackchair will give him freedom to get back outside and enjoy things with his family and get back into fishing, hunting and his favorite activity of going to the beach which he is currently unable to do.
“This chair is amazing; I cannot wait to take it “off road” and do those things I haven’t been able to do for so long. I am going to put this chair to great use,” said Arrue Hopkins, U.S. Army Veteran. “I am happy and grateful; I can’t wait to go on the beach.”
Arrue, his son Darius and representatives from The Independence Fund visited Atlas’ Burlington NC manufacturing facility Friday September 10, 2021 for the trackchair presentation, take a tour and meet Atlas employees.
Atlas American Lighting, a U.S. manufacturer of high performing, quality lighting products is honored to partner with The Independence Fund. A portion of the proceeds from every Independence Series product sold by Atlas will be donated to The Independence Fund.
“At Atlas, we are grateful for the service and sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, and we are proud that through the support of our distributors and the with work of our employees we are able to donate this trackchair to Specialist Hopkins. As a company that manufactures in the U.S., working with, employing, supporting, and saluting our Veterans is a huge part of who we are,” said Seth Walters, Atlas President.
The Independence Fund serves Veterans of all combat eras in all areas of the country, Caregivers, and their families. Since 2007, The Independence Fund has provided 2,560 all-terrain, tracked wheelchairs for Veterans.
“We are grateful for a partnership with Atlas American Lighting,” said Rob Clapper, The Independence Fund Vice President of Development. “Partners like Atlas can help us better meet our mission of assisting our nation’s most catastrophically wounded Veterans and expanding our program.”
“We look forward to doing this year after year,” Ross Horton, Atlas Chief Commercial Officer said. “I know our customers and employees will continue with us in our mission to support the men and women who serve this country.”
Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund is committed to empowering our Nation’s catastrophically wounded, injured, or ill Veterans to overcome physical, mental, and emotional wounds incurred in the line of duty. We are dedicated to improving the lives of both our Veterans and their Caregivers. Through our Mobility, Caregiver, Adaptive Sports, Advocacy, Operation RESILIENCY, and Family programs, The Independence Fund strives to bridge the gap of unmet needs for Veterans and their Caregivers. Visit: http://www.independencefund.org/.
Atlas provides a wide selection of quality, energy-efficient and fast-selling products—these products are designed, manufactured and 100% tested in the USA. Visit: www.atlasled.com.
