Brother-and-sister Michael and Kara Ahern of Plainville teamed up on Saturday, July 17 to host a swim-a-thon at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, a fundraiser for their veterans charity Scoops for Troops.

Founded by Michael in 2019, Scoops for Troops supports Travis Mills Foundation programs to help post-9/11 recalibrated veterans overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and get some well-earned rest and relaxation at a retreat center in Maine.

“I’m excited to see everyone, and for Travis Mills,” said Kara, 14, who serves as co-president of Scoops for Troops with 12-year-old Michael.

In 2019, while on vacation in Maine, the Ahern’s passed by the veterans retreat. Seeing the families there, Michael said, “I don’t want birthday presents this year. I want to raise money so that the children who go to the retreat can get ice cream on the boat like we like to do in the summer.”

And Scoops for Troops was born.

To date, Kara and Michael Ahern have generated more than $61,000.

The recent swim-a-thon fundraiser was attended by more than 20 swimmers, and each participant was tasked with completing 100 laps.

Travis Mills was at Shuttle Meadow Country Club as well, and the retired Army Staff Sergeant received a $30,000 check for his foundation care of Scoops for Troops. The money will allow eight families to attend the retreat in Maine.

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