The iconic Bayonne Bridge, which connects Bayonne, N.J., to Staten Island, N.Y., buzzed with pedestrian traffic Sunday morning as hundreds ran and walked across the world's fifth-largest steel-arched bridges, all for a good cause.
Sponsored by BCB Community Bank, the BCB 4-Mile Bayonne Bridge Run & 2-Mile Walk brought together the north Jersey community to raise funds for wounded and disabled veterans, The Jersey Journal reports. Proceeds from the charity event were donated to two veterans organizations, the Independence Fund and Hope for the Warriors, with the ultimate goal of purchasing two all-terrain wheelchairs for wounded warriors. Unlike typical wheelchairs, all-terrain chairs use tank treads as back wheels.
"This thing can be taken off road, through streams, over rocks and through sand," BCB director of marketing/communications Mike Delaney told the news outlet. "They're just amazing chairs."
According to the Independence Fund's official website, an all-terrain wheelchair costs at least $12,000. The fund has provided all-terrain wheelchairs for six veterans so far and continues to take donations through its website.
Sunday morning's race will be the last run on the historic bridge, as the steel structure is set to undergo multiple renovations beginning in November.