Leap Day Has Us Jumping!

I admit that my title is corny, however, I could not pass up the opportunity to make the jumping connection.  And what sport do people jump in?  Basketball of course!

Tomorrow in St. Louis will begin the Arch Madness, Missouri Valley Tournament.  The tournament includes 10 schools from the midwest and will culminate in the final game on Sunday, March 4.

Saturday at 3:30 pm, between the two games, Robin Kelleher, our president, will be interviewed.  This great opportunity was made possible by a new partnership with Casey's General Stores. 

Robin might also be interviewed a few other times throughout the day.  If you live in the midwest, watch for her on Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Indiana and Comcast Sports Net Chicago.

Photos provided courtesy of Paul Oberle.

Immediate Needs--an Important Program No One Knows About

I often say that Immediate Needs is the most important program that we manage that people know very little about.  It is important because it assists our military families when they are at their most vulnerable and it is often through an immediate needs case that we are first introduced to a new family. 

“Our Immediate Needs program works daily with wounded service members, their families and families of the fallen to meet immediate financial needs resulting from a service member’s combat related injury.  Travel, lengthy hospital stays, loss of income and unexpected expenses create financial burdens for families during a vulnerable and uncertain time in their life. “

Why does no one know about it?  Well, it is difficult to capture this program in a picture.  How do you show a caregiver getting help at bedside, the lights being kept on, a family staying in their home, or food on the table?

In January alone, our Immediate Needs department worked on 88 specific Immediate Needs cases.  To understand how much work this involves, I need to stress that it is not simply a program of hearing the problem and writing a check.  As each case is opened, we connect with the service member’s command (if active duty), the VA caseworker and/or a medical professional.  The goal is not to just write a check for a “quick fix.”  That solves nothing and if a family cannot pay rent this month, and nothing changes, they will have the same problem next month.  Each case requires us to delve into details of benefits, medical concerns and more.  The goal is to assist the family in the short-term while still looking to the future.

I am very proud of our Immediate Needs Program and I wish that I could find a photo to represent what is accomplished.   So instead, I have included a photo of just one military family, together and smiling.  After all, isn’t that the real end result?

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Paul Kelly competes in the 2012 Myrtle Beach Marathon

The Amazing Work of the VFW

In the late afternoon, on December 22, I received a call from a friend, asking for help for his neighbor.  The neighbor's son is a young Marine, now a double amputee, in rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC).  He was coming home the next day for Christmas and the father suddenly realized that getting his son's wheelchair into the home would be difficult.  My friend was calling me for help. 

I looked at the date and the time and was lost.  We support wounded service members and their families, but I don't know how to build a ramp.  I called my President, Robin, who shared several ideas.  Her strongest advice:  "Call the local VFW first.  They are an amazing group and they can probably help you."

It was past 6 p.m. when I called the VFW in Plano--the Casey Joyce Post 4380 and the phone was immediately answered.  I went up the chain of command within the Post and before I knew it, I was speaking with Marty Nell, the Post Commander.  I told him what I needed, and when I needed it.  There was no hesitation in Marty's voice when he told me that building a ramp would be no problem.

The next day, one of the members, Steve, called me.  He was prepared to build whatever ramp the home would need.  And he did just that.  He was at the home and putting a ramp in place less than 24 hours after I called the Post.  The Marine had just come home and Steve had the great honor of meeting this young man in person.

Presenting Steve, and the VFW Plano with
a small "thank you" gift

I spoke with Steve on the phone, offering that Hope For The Warriors® pay for any supplies needed to get the ramp made.  Instead, Steve built the ramp with wood that he already had on hand.  Then he called the city and they provided a ramp to be used from the street. 

The mission of Hope For The Warriors® to ensure that "no sacrifice forgotten, nor need unmet" cannot be done alone.  It is great having wonderful groups such as the VFW to work alongside us.  Thank you to all the members of the Casey Joyce Post 4380 and to all of our VFW members out there!

Losing and Loving It--Run For The Warriors®

I am an average runner.  I run approximately 25 miles per week and I finish my races at a respectable time.  I never win--and only get an age group award in the smaller races.  However, like most runners, I still don't like being passed during a race.  I know it will happen--it does in every race.  But it doesn't mean that I have to like it.

There is one exception however.  In May 2010, I flew to North Carolina to work and participate in the Run For The Warriors® in Jacksonville.  This nationwide race series began in Jacksonville and the race there has grown each year.  That year, I decided to run the 10K.

I have highlighted this race before in this blog so many of you know something about the event.  It begins with a ceremony, honoring those that have been wounded and fallen.  The ceremony is the perfect start to this important event.  No matter where the race is held, it gives the local community the opportunity to honor those that have sacrificed so much.

And then the race begins.  In Jacksonville, we have a large group of handcyclists that begin the race. They speed through the race course at speeds that no one on foot could keep up with.  Side note--do you know anyone that has ever won the Boston Marathon?  We do!  One of our Team members, a wounded veteran, won in the handcycle division in 2011.  Too cool!

Along with the handcyclists, many wounded service members participate in the race on foot.  And this is when I was glad to be passed.

On that day in May 2010, I was running with my coworker Sarah.  It was hot, humid and I was not having very much fun.  I had run a 10K only two weeks before and had a great race.  The race that day was not going as well.  Less than half way through, we were passed by one of our wounded.  He was running, uneffected by the heat, with a prosthetic in place of his left leg. 

This is why I love the Run For The Warriors®.  Among those participating are families, friends, community members and most importantly, our service members.  I was glad to be passed by this young Marine that day and proud of his achievement.

As I said before, this race is now a nationwide series and we have several races slated in 2012.  To see a complete listing, visit our race page.  We are already accepting early registrations for two of these races, one in Secaucus, New Jersey and in Jacksonville.  Soon our race in Manhattan will be open too. 

If there is no race near you, we still encourage you to participate by donating to someone who is raising funds for their race.  You can find people by going to the registration page for each race.  All funds raised will benefit the military families that we assist.  We hope to see all of you there!

Veterans/No Boundaries Video

Two weeks ago, we posted a story about service members and their families attending a weekend of winter sports.  The families were hosted by Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation and they enjoyed a weekend of skiing, snowshoeing and more.  Hope For The Warriors® appoached the group because we had several service members interested in winter sports as part of their recovery and as an activity they could enjoy with their entire family.

We work with many programs throughout the country that provide our wounded service members and their families with opportunities to enjoy outdoor sports, regardless of their injuries.  Below, the group has put together a great video, explaining the benefits of these sports.

We are proud to work with this amazing group.

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Veteran Ronnie Simpson shares his loves of sailing with
listeners from radio station, KVI in Seattle, WA