May 1 - Chick-Fil-A Donation Campaign for the month of May - Elizabethtown KY location only
May 28 - Louisville Bats/USA Cares Military Appreciation Night - Louisville, KY
June 9 - Old Glory Bar & Grill Grand Opening - Radcliff, KY
June 14 - Hot Rods Base Ball - USA Cares Military Appreciation Night
July 14 - NDIA (National Defense industry Association) Bike Ride - Milford, MI
August 24, 25, & 26 - Rockcastle Shoot
]]>The Rewards and Burdens of Military Service•Veterans who served on active duty in the post-9/11 era are proud of their service (96%), and most (74%) say their military experience has helped them get ahead in life. The vast majority say their time in the military has helped them mature (93%), taught them how to work with others (90%) and helped to build self-confidence (90%). More than eight-in-ten (82%) say they would advise a young person close to them to join the military.
•At the same time, however, 44% of post-9/11 veterans say their readjustment to civilian life was difficult. By contrast, just 25% of veterans who served in earlier eras say the same. About half (48%) of all post-9/11 veterans say they have experienced strains in family relations since leaving the military, and 47% say they have had frequent outbursts of anger. One-third (32%) say there have been times where they felt they didn’t care about anything.
•Nearly four-in-ten (37%) post-9/11 veterans say that, whether or not they were formally diagnosed, they believe they have suffered from post-traumatic stress (PTS). Among veterans who served prior to 9/11, just 16% say the same.
•These psychological and emotional problems are most prevalent among post-9/11 veterans who were in combat. About half of this group (49%) say they have suffered from PTS. And about half (52%) also say they had emotionally traumatic or distressing experiences while in the military. Of those who had these types of experiences, three-in-four say they are still reliving them in the form of flashbacks or nightmares.
•Overall, about one-in-six post-9/11 veterans (16%) report they were seriously injured while serving in the military, and most of these injuries were combat-related. And about half (47%) say they know and served with someone who was killed while in the military, not significantly different from the share of pre-9/11 veterans (43%) who say the same. The survey finds that post-9/11 veterans who either experienced or were exposed to casualties are more supportive than other post-9/11 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, they also report having more difficulty re-entering civilian life.
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Though today’s job market is tough for everyone to navigate and land the next big thing, military spouses have struggled with securing employment long before the market “tanked.” A Department of Defense study released in June 2011 estimated that 26% of military spouses were unemployed. This is triple the current civilian unemployment rate and more than double the rate of Post 9/11 Veteran’s.
There are about 1.2 million military spouses, of which about 85 % want to work. Of that fragment, it is estimated about 265,000 are either unemployed or underemployed with a wage gap of about 25 % between military spouses and their civilian counterparts.
Moving as a unit every two to three years for stability and readiness for their soldier brings an ongoing fight of battling negative stigmas from employers. In military communities, it is well known that frequent moves and the cost of child care play a major role in the efforts of spouses securing employment.
The challenge: Provide an opportunity to those spouses who show a commitment and ability to adapt to new environments by removing employment barriers such as childcare start up costs and giving them access to “military friendly” employers. Spouses should be viewed as an asset to an employer, not a risk.
In an effort to “give a hand up,” USA Cares is broadening its current Jobs for Vets program to include financial assistance for spouses who have found success in obtaining employment. USA Cares now assures military spouses do not have the obstruction of child care cost preventing them from their next career.
Qualifications:
• Active duty military spouse
• Current spouse of a honorably discharged veteran
• Must have secured new employment
• Must show a demonstrated need for child care assistance
Employment Assistance Grants:
USA Cares Jobs for Veterans program will provide qualifying military families a financial assistance grant paid to a licensed child care facility. The grant will support the military family from two to four weeks, pending future salary and pay schedule.
Employment & Training Referral/Advocacy Support:
USA Cares will continue its outreach to government, private/public, and nonprofit organizations to increase awareness of this unique grant to support and directly affect change of those military spouses who have served our country too.
“This was a necessity for health reasons,” said Vickie who is married to career Staff Sgt. Jeffery Perry, 46, with the Army National Guard.
According to the National Weather Service, August 2011 was the second-warmest August on record.
The Perry’s Kentucky hometown showed some of the nation’s most excessive heat indexes with temperatures of 116 to 120 degrees for several days between July and August. During this time and while her husband was stationed at an Indiana armory to prepare for his fourth deployment to Iraq, the Perry’s ancient air conditioner conked out in the middle of the excessive summer heat.
With Jeffery just coming off of unemployment and still waiting on his first military check, there was a little-to-no fund in their household finances to buy a new unit, which costs upwards of $3,000.
Her clerical job at the local school district helped them sustain during the lull, but couldn’t support such an expensive emergency. “I moved small window units downstairs, but it’s a pretty big house,” and those smaller units didn’t suffice.
With her suffering with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a progressive lung disease that frequently makes it hard for her to breathe, and with her mother – who lives with them – battling heart and lung conditions, Vickie moved into action and frantically began looking for help.
They were without sufficient cool air in their home for approximately 10 days. “We weren’t doing this to get something free,” said Vickie, 44. “We needed the assistance.”
She found USA Cares through a military community channel. “At first we were denied assistance because they thought I was asking for a repair,” which USA Cares does not assist with, said Vickie. “
“But I wrote again that we needed a new unit since the old one wasn’t repairable” she said.
With donations from the American public, USA Cares was able to assist with $750 towards the cost of the $3,125 unit. The Perry’s raised $875 and another community organization assisted with $1,500, said Vickie.
“It was a very upsetting time,” said Vickie. “We were the type of people who always helped other people. So to be in that position was just very different.”
“When I got the phone call that USA Cares was going to help, I started crying,” said Vickie. “USA Cares was there for us when we needed them to be there.”
]]>Penguin is proud to offer a special selection of books about the brave men and women who risk their lives to make our country a better, safer place. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, we salute each and every one of you.
The Stories for Soldiers campaign showcases titles by the following authors: Bryan Anderson, Dick Winters, Tom Carhart, John C. McManus, Antony Beevor, and Hugh Ambrose.
Every soldier’s story is special—and we’ve created a forum where they can be shared. If you are in the military, know someone who is, or would simply like to convey your gratitude to the men and women, past and present, who serve our country—please, click on the tab above and share.
Show your support of military families and veterans by making your donation to USA Cares.
]]>To learn more about the project Click Here.
If you know of disabled vet that might be interested in applying for the home, the link to the application is: Click Here.
]]>She says his post-deployment transition became a time of considerable turmoil for their family. He was monstrously short tempered with their five children; age’s three to 12 and had no sense of purposefulness.
After returning from a second deployment in 2009, his behavior escalated into physical aggressiveness. “I had to have him arrested,” said Amanda, 29. “He had me in a choke hold so hard I blacked out. He didn’t realize what he was doing,” she said.
“I’m not afraid of him; he’s just not who I married.”
David, now 32, was finally diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, a mental anxiety disorder that occurs after witnessing a traumatic event. “I don’t know if he would want me to say those things” said Amanda about his war experiences and duties.
But Amanda’s worries weren’t solely centered on his changing behavior. Just before his second deployment and subsequent PTSD diagnoses, David’s military pay became entangled in a series of delays that spun the family into financial distress. That was when she called USA Cares for financial assistance.
“We weren’t getting half of what he was supposed to get,” said Amanda. “We just got so far under. We were grounded.”
With donations from the American public, USA Cares was able to assist the McCaullas with two mortgage payments, two car payments and two month’s worth of water, gas and light utility payments, all totaling $3,472.87.
“I could never repay USA Cares for the impact they’ve had on my family and myself,” said Amanda. “I could never repay USA Cares for what they have done for us and how greatly appreciative we are. USA Cares gave me my sanity and my life back,” she said.
But this story is still waiting for its happy ending. Today, David’s pay is still delayed. Amanda says that since March 2010, they have been getting less than half of what he earned; a situation she hopes is being reviewed. Tragically, they recently lost their home, her childhood home which they bought from her mother.
Amanda and their four youngest children now live in a three-bedroom trailer with her mother. David lives with his grandmother in a town one and half hours’ drive away.
Amanda and David are hopeful of the day they finally collect his back pay because they believe it will enable them to once again purchase a family home where they can live together. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to be a family again,” she says.
David now attends bi-monthly clinical PTSD treatment and therapy sessions, which Amanda holds with great hope. “I love my husband and I want him to get well. He wants to get well.” “We had a very passionate marriage,” said Amanda. “We loved each other. He was everything I ever wanted and he still is.
]]>“I absolutely did not have the money to get there,” said Sgt. Chambers who retired as a senior human resources supervisor. “And it made me feel like, ‘what did I do for 24 years to be in this situation?’”
Sgt. Chambers was among the estimated 2.3 million veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq now confronting the worst job market since the Great Depression of 70 years ago. Ironically, his Army job was to help Soldiers develop their careers. “Everyone said it would be easy for me to a get a job, but it wasn’t that way,” he said. The lackluster job market compounded his financial situation: He was sapping his savings and small pension with a $1,800 mortgage, $420 car payment and devotedly sending his mother in New York City $500 to help supplement her monthly rent.
“I was trying to pay regular bills,” he said. “I realized that if I was going to get ahead again, that I would have to put aside my pride and ask for help.”
With donations from a nation grateful for his service, USA Cares assisted Sgt. Chambers with $100 for gas and $199.95 for a D.C.-area hotel room. When he got a second interview at the Pentagon, USA Cares assisted again with $200 for gas. “The help I got (at USA Cares) was very, very good,” he said. “I can attest that they did everything to help me; every possible thing.”
Today, Sgt. Chambers is an administrator with the United States Agency for international Development – East Africa Division. He works in Washington D.C. “The gas money was important because it gave me a boost.”
]]>SVM, maker of retail, restaurant and gas station gift cards around the country announces Operation Basic Needs.
The newly-launched Commissary Gift Card can be used by military personnel, retirees and their families to make purchases at any one of the commissaries operated worldwide. In honor of the men and women that serve our country, SVM, LP is matching all Commissary Gift Card purchases donated to USA Cares through a special designated website. Click here for press release.
Click here for more information.
]]>Multi-platinum country music artist Mark Wills premiered his new album LOOKING FOR AMERICA with two special events on release day, June 21, 2011. The celebration schedule included an Opry in-store appearance where he visited with fans to personally sign the new album; the CD flew off the shelves—selling out. Following the in-store event, Mark Wills stepped out to take the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry to play some of the tracks, a few for the very first time.
“It was a wonderful day to bring my new music to fans,’” Wills explains. “I am incredibly thankful for the support of Country music fans who came out to visit with me at the signing and traveled to watch my Opry performance.”
Wills went on to actualize a promise made to several wounded servicemen; earlier this year, Mark was introduced to three soldiers whose Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Iraq, one of whom is in a wheelchair as a result. After a spring show in Missouri, Mark played them “Crazy Being Home” and they were very emotional. He told them that the first time he played it live at the Opry he would invite them. Read more...
]]>“In this inspiring memoir, Bryan shares his infectious love for life that touches anyone who’s faced hardship. Anyone, in any circumstance, can overcome the toughest challenges, by not just surviving, but thriving. No Turning Back is a testament to pure hard work, perseverance, and hope for a better life – no matter what shape it takes.” Click here for more about “No Turning Back” and Bryan Anderson.
Bryan’s book is availabe for pre-order from all the major online book retailers. “No Turning Back” will hit the shelves this November, 2011.
]]>In an interesting publicity + charity move, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s is hosting an auction for the custom-made bikini Miss Turkey flaunts in the brands’ recent Turkey Burger commercials. Dubbed the “turkini,” the two-piece bikini is covered with nearly 500 tiny images of the brand’s latest Charbroiled Turkey Burgers. To sweeten the deal, the reigning Miss Turkey, Gizem Memic, has signed this garment in hopes its auction price will see some serious inflation.
100% of the final sale price will benefit Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s new charity program Stars for Troops, an initiative that raises money for military men and women. The custom-made bikini is valued at $1,000, but is expected to sell for much more than that. Click here for full article
After a week of that included 45 bids for the “turkey bikini”, the auction closed with a winning bid of $2,550!
]]>Hardees and Carl’s Jr. restaurants announced Monday, May 2 Stars for Troops—a partnership with USA Cares and Homes for Our Troops. To participate, restaurant guests donate $1 in support of military charities. For each $1 donation, guests receive a commemorative “Stars for Troops” cut out to personalize and place on display in the restaurant; in addition, they receive restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.
Click here to learn more.
]]>USA Cares, the leading non-profit organization dedicated to assisting post 9-11 military veterans and their families with unmet needs has been diligently working to assist at-risk veterans from losing their homes and falling victim to the current foreclosure crisis. In a statement today issued by USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson, the organization applauded efforts by JPMorgan Chase to “significantly enhance its programs to help military and veteran customers.”
“This is a very positive step by Chase that will hopefully benefit our military families—both active and Guard/Reserve” stated Nelson. “In this ninth year of combat, military families are struggling with the effects of multiple deployments and a rugged economy. The foreclosure crisis has deeply affected military and veteran families and non-profits like USA Cares have worked to ease their struggles as much as possible. I encourage other banks and lenders to follow the positive example of Chase’s new programs to the benefit of our military heroes and their loved ones.”
USA Cares has been at the forefront of this issue and has even developed the Military Housing Education Course. The program was began well before major banks had to admit that they mistakenly overcharged or erroneously foreclosed on the homes of service members
“We saw the need and acted upon it” said Nelson. “Our program teaches mortgage professionals how to work with military families and provide accurate counsel to borrowers. This free course allows brokers to better understand and decipher military lives, lingo, and most importantly, pay statements.”
“The facts are alarming and disturbing” continued Nelson. “More than 20,000 veterans, active-duty troops and reservists who took out special government-backed mortgages lost their homes last year. Our team at USA Cares is working family by family to help reverse this trend.”
USA Cares provides grants, counseling and other assistance to help veterans and their families with a variety of needs. By filling gaps in military and veterans support infrastructure, USA Cares has gained expert insight and information about the sacrifices made by the men, women and families of those who have served in the armed forces. They know the unmet needs and can provide the necessary assistance to help keep these struggling families in their homes.
USA Cares recently partnered with the National Association of REALTORS® and HouseLogic for Operation Home Relief. The project was formed in recognition of USA Cares’ success in saving over 1,000 military families from eviction in the past seven years.
USA Cares is continuing to assist military, veterans and their families who find themselves facing foreclosure with grants and other assistance including opening the doors to other options.
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