Military Support Series: CK Mondavi & Intrepid


I am thrilled to be able to be able to start the Military Support Series up again by highlighting CK Mondavi and their giving to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.  It is no surprise that this blog would jump at the opportunity to share when a civilian company chooses to give back to the Military.  It is something that I think is very important, important for our country as a whole.  With the days of the Vietnam War not too far removed from history, change has been coming.  Our Military service members deserve honor and respect, no matter ones political views.  They risk their lives, and volunteer for service that should be honored.  It truly warms this MilSo’s heart to see people give back and support this family that is the Military.  It is becoming the rule rather than the exception with so many organizations out there giving back to the Military community.

It also doesn’t hurt when one happens to really like the people giving back.  CK Mondavi is the only American-made wine you can find in the supermarket for under $10.  How about them apples?!  It’s a family run business, with Peter Mondavi, SR, a WWII Veteran, at the  helm. 

Between May and August CK Mondavi donates a portion of each sale to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (up to $50,000).  IFHF is a wonderful organization that gives back to the wounded and fallen military members and their families through Family Support, The Center for the Intrepid, National Intrepid Center for Excellence and NICoE Satellite Centers.  I have personally visited one of these facilities and I can tell you that the service they provide is exactly what these service members need.  It is unparalleled in its ability to provide 360degrees of care. 

IFHF is entirely funded by public donations, and now wine lovers can do their part to give back too.  Thankfully for those that are wine lovers, CK Mondavi has afforded one of my lucky winners to be entered into a grand prize drawing to have $500 donated to IFHF in their name.  You can do so by sharing with me your story of military support.  I will choose one of my readers, who shares their story, to be entered.  I can’t wait to hear your stories, because if I know the community of readers I have, they will be good.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Military Support Series: CK Mondavi & Intrepid


I am thrilled to be able to be able to start the Military Support Series up again by highlighting CK Mondavi and their giving to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.  It is no surprise that this blog would jump at the opportunity to share when a civilian company chooses to give back to the Military.  It is something that I think is very important, important for our country as a whole.  With the days of the Vietnam War not too far removed from history, change has been coming.  Our Military service members deserve honor and respect, no matter ones political views.  They risk their lives, and volunteer for service that should be honored.  It truly warms this MilSo’s heart to see people give back and support this family that is the Military.  It is becoming the rule rather than the exception with so many organizations out there giving back to the Military community.

It also doesn’t hurt when one happens to really like the people giving back.  CK Mondavi is the only American-made wine you can find in the supermarket for under $10.  How about them apples?!  It’s a family run business, with Peter Mondavi, SR, a WWII Veteran, at the  helm. 

Between May and August CK Mondavi donates a portion of each sale to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (up to $50,000).  IFHF is a wonderful organization that gives back to the wounded and fallen military members and their families through Family Support, The Center for the Intrepid, National Intrepid Center for Excellence and NICoE Satellite Centers.  I have personally visited one of these facilities and I can tell you that the service they provide is exactly what these service members need.  It is unparalleled in its ability to provide 360degrees of care. 

IFHF is entirely funded by public donations, and now wine lovers can do their part to give back too.  Thankfully for those that are wine lovers, CK Mondavi has afforded one of my lucky winners to be entered into a grand prize drawing to have $500 donated to IFHF in their name.  You can do so by sharing with me your story of military support.  I will choose one of my readers, who shares their story, to be entered.  I can’t wait to hear your stories, because if I know the community of readers I have, they will be good.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Military Support Series – ScoutComms

One of the things I love about blogging is getting to meet really awesome people, and then talk about them.  I met Fred right after I had moved into town.  It was my very first blogging conference, and whether he knows it or not he sort of came to my “virtual” rescue and offered some moral support.  Then I stumbled upon him again at a military related seminar…..and once more at an Operation Homefront event.  Yeah, he’s everywhere.  One of these days I’m going to let him hire me.  Anyway, Fred is the CEO and founder of ScoutComms

ScoutComms provides strategic and unique assistance in the world of aerospace, defense and veterans sectors.  The list is incredibly long of the really cool things that they offer to their clients.  Services provided include media relations specifically targeted to increase outreach to exactly those that need it, Thought Leadership Support, consulting and guidance on veteran focused corporate giving programs and so much more.  ScoutComms specializes in something called ‘Precision Public Relations’, spending the time to find the right journalist, media outlet or partner for their client.  Who better to provide this large list of services then veterans and those that have spent years working closely with, and supporting, them.

Recently ScoutComms underwent a change.  It was a slight change that largely went under the radar, which is indicative of what I appreciate about how this organization runs themselves.  ScoutComms is now a registered B-corporation, or Benefit Corporation.  They are the first in the Nation to focus specifically on veterans and military family issues. They’ve taken on the mantle of not only providing services in a unique way, but blending it with advocacy and support. 

We’re one of the first social enterprises focused on veterans’ issues, but as the movement grows, we certainly hope to not be the last. As a social enterprise, we’re approaching our mission in much the same way we always have: through creating and implementing communications and philanthropic strategies for our clients and the veterans’ organizations we support. For our current clients, nothing will change in the way we provide a personal, precision consulting experience, and we hope this evolution opens the doors to future clients who share our vision that doing business and doing good are not mutually exclusive.

ScoutComms also has a blog, and something they call The Scout Report, a newsletter of sorts.  If you are a veteran, a milspouse, military-connected person or just concerned about veteran/military issues you should subscribe to this.  You can catch up on all the past issues of The Scout Report here.  It is very exciting to see this happen from the beginning, and I have absolutely no doubt that ScoutComms will accomplish great things moving forward.

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Military Support Series: The General’s Kids

I am very excited to highlight this particular military support organization as it now has a special place in my heart.  Only a couple days ago I announced that I was coming on board as Programs Manager for The General’s Kids.  I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of the organization and work alongside one of the most committed and dedicated military wives, and mother, I know.  Jaqueline to me, was just the blogger of a wounded solider.  And when I say just, I don’t mean just by any stretch of the imagination.  With two very small children, that was no small feat.  It was out of the struggle they experienced that this organization was borne, and it is quickly growing to accomplish some amazing things.

The General’s Kids, L.L.C. was designed for our nation’s little warriors. Whether they are infants or teenagers, facing the life-changing injury or illness of a parent leaves a lasting impression. There are so many wonderful organizations out there that benefit wounded warriors and their families, and children often benefit from these. But at The General’s Kids we are proud to focus 100% on the children and young siblings of the wounded, ill, and injured. We can help connect children and teenagers of various ages with others across the country who are going through similar struggles, provide sponsors who will send encouraging cards or care packages, and will soon be able to offer financial assistance for things like special interests or school funding. Children living the Wounded Warrior life are faced with a harsh sense of reality. We intend to help bring back some of the things that help comfort and lighten these kids’ hearts. Our goals are big and extend all the way up to wanting to fund Disney vacations and college scholarships. Our belief is that whether there are 10,000 wounded warrior kids or just one, each and every one is a priority and deserves to have their sacrifice for our freedom acknowledged.

I have seen The General’s Kids provide hand-made crochet/knit blankets, or small stuffed bears to children at Walter-Reed, which I in particular love.  Often times these children are coming here very quickly and without the ability to pack up every little thing.  Having something special given to them, even if they don’t fully understand can be so beneficial.  Frequently our facebook page will put a call out for items for children that are coming to Walter Reed, like portable dvd players, small toys, video games or board games.

school supplies for little warriors
One of my favorite stories from The General’s Kids is the story of a little girl named Isabelle, who asked for gift cards for her birthday and gave them all to be donated to little warriors at Walter Reed Medical Center!  It’s stories like this that make me want to be a part of this organization.  Something as simple as this can make the day of a child whose life has been turned upside down.
 
At The General’s Kids they are so many ways you can give back – We have a sponsorship program, a pen pal program, care packages and just simply donating…even spreading the word is so helpful.  We don’t discriminate here at The General’s Kids…it doesn’t matter what branch of service, or military status (active/guard), or the type of injury.  Even if the child’s parent has returned to active duty, the pen-pal program would still be very beneficial to the child.  But we need your help to make sure we can help as many little warriors as possible.  Please check out our programs page and the FAQs for more information on all the programs.
Take a minute to like The General’s Kids on facebook, share the page with as many people as you can!  Share the website as well!  If you are an organization that is looking to sponsor, or give back and wants to partner with us, we would be so honored and blessed to have that help!  I know I have a lot of crochet and knitting type friends too…whip up a blanket and we’ll make sure it gets to someone in need.

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Military Support Series: Lone Survivor Foundation

With the release of the movie, by the same name, this past weekend I thought it only fitting to run Marcus Luttrell’s Lone Survivor Foundation as this week’s “Military Monday” post.  It wasn’t until several days ago that I had heard about the organization, and I wanted to take the opportunity to share.

 

First let me share some thoughts from those that help run the Lone Survivor Ranch and Foundation, as well as those that have benefited from this organization. 

The Lone Survivor Foundation provides specialized education and healing retreats to those injured, both physically and psychologically by war.  What I absolutely love about this foundation is that it recognizes that injuries received in war, are far deeper than physical; and while addressing the wounds and issues facing those with physical injury is important, helping those with non-visible injuries is vital to force retention, the overall health and well-being of our service members and their families.

For far too long we have shoving this aside, and not really addressing it as a problem, while service members and their families struggle to make it through the day.  The military prepares them, and to some extent we as family, for war; but where is the real training and understand for the war that wages as home?

Along with these healing retreats the Lone Survivor Foundation is committed to assisting in the healing process of these “Invisible Wounds”, by educating the service member, their spouses and children.  With the aid of specific therapies, and implementation of coping mechanisms, the Warrior and their family members can move forward on a positive path towards healing.  A unique aspect of the treatment and education process is done through Equine Assisted Learning.

You can watch one of the Board Members of LSF, doctor of clinical medicine at Harvard University, and Commander in the Naval Reserve, speak about some of the statistics, as well as the desires of what the Foundation is looking to accomplish.

If you get a moment please visit the Lone Survivor Foundation website to learn more about this, and spread the word to those that are in need.  More importantly I believe every military family should be educated about the options available to them should they ever find themselves in a situation where this would be needed.  Education is the truest path to avoid a breaking point and the quickest to healing and recovery.

LSF website
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Twitter

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