Raising funds for Wounded Warriors


The efforts of six friends to raise money for a Wounded Warrior project were recognized last month in Mammoth Lakes.

Jen and Ken Roberts of Newbury Park, Hamid and Cortney Sadraie of Westlake Village and Brett and Andrea Darrington of Topanga host a fundraiser, Bravery Uncorked, every year and donate the proceeds to Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra for the building of the National Wounded Warrior Center in Mammoth Lakes. The center will serve ill and injured service members.

For the past 10 years Disabled Sports has presented weeklong camps to teach Wounded Warriors sports such as skiing, snowboarding and rock climbing. One such camp, Operation Mountain Freedom, took place Jan. 22 to 26.

At a celebratory luncheon during the camp, the founders of Bravery Uncorked were recognized for their dedication to helping injured service members. The couples received a plaque at the luncheon attended by service members, military guests and local officials.

Kathy Copeland, executive director of Disabled Sports, expressed her organization’s gratititude to the couples.

“We see the change in service men and women who participate in our Wounded Warrior programs, and I know there is more we can do to provide life-changing opportunities for them,” Copeland said. “Ken and Jen Roberts, Hamid and Cortney Sadraie, and Brett and Andrea Darrington know how special Mammoth is and how much of a difference our programs are to Wounded Warriors. I am grateful for their support and understanding of why we need to help these men and women by building the first-ever National Wounded Warrior Center.”

Bravery Uncorked, a food, wine and jazz festival, takes place every year in October at Boccaccio’s Restaurant in Westlake Village. The fundraiser, which premiered in 2012, includes a silent auction.

The 2017 event had a goal of $100,000, more than double the previous year’s target, and the goal was surpassed, according to organizers.

“Our hats are raised in a salute to all their determination and perseverance,” Copeland said.

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is a nationally recognized adaptive sports program that offers year-round instruction for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities.

For more information, visit disabledsportseasternsierra.org.