‘Sgt. Pushup’ raises funds for non-profit in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) -- An Army Veteran known as "Sergeant Pushup" is on a mission to do a million pushups across the country to raise money and non-perishable food items to ensure no family goes without a Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Thursday, his goal was to do 1,000 pushups.

"I got tired of people complaining about everything and all the bad stuff that they see and instead of complaining, I said, '"et's help children with their struggles, the 3,069 kids that attempt suicide every day, the 13 million children that go to bed every night hungry,'" said Patrick Parker, AKA Sgt. Pushup.

Parker brought his campaign to One-Body Ent., a non-profit organization on the southeast side of Colorado Springs that serves youth and adults by helping them prevent criminal offenses and re-offenses through arts and entertainment.

Dee Smith, the non-profit's executive director, says as a native of this community, having people like Parker give back means a lot.

"I think it is very important because it kinda makes us feel like we are doing something right because somebody who is not from here recognizes some things that we are doing and it is kind of a powerful statement for him to come," said Smith.

Sgt. Pushup has raised over 500,000 meals for different food agencies through his mission.

"f we can't make sure children have a meal, if we can't make sure they are protected in schools, then who are we?" added Parker.

He started this mission four years ago and has since done one million pushups to help children and communities across the U.S. His next stop is Utah.