The Dedham girls varsity soccer team traveled to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on October 5th to support and cheer on the participants of the 11th annual Stairs4RTroops (S4RT) stair climb, an event that honors and supports injured veterans.

The Stairs4RTroops stair climb is a physically demanding event in which participants run or walk the lower bowl of Gillette, consisting of 36 sections with 72 stairs per section, for a total of 5,184 steps. The event also features a Firefighter Wave, where firefighters climb as a team, and a Wheelchair Wave, where participants wheel around the stadium concourse.

The event was sponsored by several organizations, including the title sponsor Bob Woodruff Foundation and local Dedham business Royer Tree Service. 

All proceeds raised from the event go to the nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops, which builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. Home For Our Troops is based in Taunton, Massachusetts, and has built over 380 homes in 45 states for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. They help veterans who have sustained injuries, including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, blindness, severe burns, and/or severe traumatic brain injury, to rebuild their lives, helping to improve their mental health and lower suicide rates.

At Sunday's event, the soccer team volunteered and cheered on participants. Not only did the soccer team want to support an important cause and show their gratitude to our veterans, but as Dedham soccer Captain Ruby Rosloneck stated, “Watching the runners was also an inspiration. Seeing how determined each participant was made me determined to push myself on and off the field.”

Junior Brooke Moreno also noted, “It was really nice being able to see people from different schools and towns and of all different ages taking part in a good cause and working through a tough activity. When I was watching, I noticed how hard the climb looked to accomplish. I think that the team should and will continue to be a part of this event next year because it's a good cause, and we get to support our community!"