Helping Wounded Warriors: Weekend Event Honors Faces Of Valor

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- The owners of Chick & Ruth's Delly give back to the community in a big way.

Ron Matz has more on a big event Saturday that helps wounded warriors, the men and women who are the "Faces of Valor."

They say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at Chick & Ruth's Delly.

Owner Ted Levitt's life changed six years ago when he met one of his customers.

"I met a family that had their son killed in Iraq," said Levitt. "We became very close. Because of that, we decided we wanted to do more than just talk. Instead of talking the talk we wanted to walk the walk."

And that is just what they did. Levitt and his wife, Beth, started Faces of Valor USA.  A special car with the pictures of 43 heroes helps raise money for wounded warriors.

"We honor men and women of all the service branches, and also police, fire and EMS," said Ted Levitt. "Every year we pick a soldier or a couple and we do something for them."

This year, the foundation will honor Corporal Mark Fidler who was critically wounded in Iraq one month after his 18th birthday. Two and a half years later, he is still recovering.

"He wants to be a mechanic so we're going to purchase everything that Mark needs to be a mechanic," said Ted Levitt. "We're going to set up a whole garage for him."

Saturday, June 28 is the sixth annual fundraiser in Annapolis. There will be a classic car show, motorcycle ride, 5K run and walk, family picnic and more.

"We have a lot going on Saturday," said Beth Levitt. "We have raffles, a silent auction,and we have items from just about everyone in Annapolis. Downtown Annapolis has donated items to the event. We have 75 gift baskets. So many people have just made things for us. It's absolutely incredible."

The motorcycle ride begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Outback Steakhouse on Forrest Drive in Annapolis, and the other events will be held at the Elks Lodge in Edgewater.

"You can't imagine 'til you've been there how good it makes you feel to give back," said Beth Levitt.

For more information about the foundation and the event, click here.

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