SDIA’s Arkansas Chapters Team Up for Major Patriot Day Event at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is excited to announce a joint venture between their Northwest Arkansas and Central Arkansas chapters, and the Arkansas River Valley Team, to host their largest Patriot Day event to date. The 6th Annual Patriot Day festival will be held on Sat., Sept. 10, 2016, in a new, larger location – War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. In the stadium, teams from all over the region will compete in the first Patriot Bowl 8-on-8 Flag Football Tournament. The tournament will be going at the same time as our Patriot Day Festival in the parking lot.
This event is the perfect opportunity for children and adults to get to know their local Sheep Dogs – the men and women who make up our military and first responder professions. Attendees can meet them, learn about what they do, and see and touch vehicles and equipment, watch K9 and rescue demonstrations, visit interactive displays, children’s activities, vendor booths, and more activities throughout...
4th Annual Charity Ball Funds 35 Sheep Dogs for Yosemite Adventure
Last Friday, April 22, we held our 4th Annual Charity Ball at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. With over 350 people in attendance, and special musical guests Backroad Anthem, we were blown away by the generosity shown by everyone. Our goal for the evening was to recognize the best of our nation’s Military & First Responders, and our supporters, as well as to raise money to sponsor a few of the 35 combat wounded veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty for our Outdoor Adventure to Yosemite National Park next month. We are astonished and proud to share that net proceeds of over $25,000 will help sponsor ALL 35 of these men and women for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. While this trip will be fun and exciting, participating in outdoor adventures is vital to the healing of our sponsored individuals; these adventures present them with new challenges to test their rehabilitation skills, restore independence and...
SDIA’s 2016 Spring Hog Hunt
Another great bi-annual Sheep Dog Hog Hunt is in the books! Hunting at Turkey Creek Ranch in NW Texas never disappoints, and the teams from Broadway Contracting and ProTrucks that make these hunts possible, always deliver one of the best experiences around. It's more than "just a hunt;" these weekends give our sponsored combat wounded vets and first responders injured in the line of duty the camaraderie that they've been missing as well as a welcoming environment to truly relax and be themselves. Whether it's hunting wild boar, turkeys, jack rabbits, and coyotes, or simply testing their skills at target shooting, the opportunity to bond with fellow Sheep Dogs and supporters is priceless.
During this hunt we honored the service and sacrifice of SGT. Adam Holland, SGT. 1st Class Dan Moss, Patrol Officer Zac McArthur, and SGT. Justin Bryant. Their dedication and commitment to our nation is to be commended, and the blood and sweat they sacrificed, should...
3rd Annual Heroes Ruck Challenge a Huge Success!
The 3rd Annual Heroes Ruck Challenge was a resounding success thanks to volunteers, staff and, of course, the participants! The Challenge was held on Sat., March 19, at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. The course covered 15.3 miles, beginning at the Clinton Presidential Center grounds, winding through downtown Little Rock, up River Trail Rd to the Big Dam Bridge, crossing over to Cook’s Landing and back to the Clinton Presidential Center using the Arkansas River Trail. Each mile along the route honored the sacrifice of a fallen service member or first responder. $3,500 was raised for SDIA’s mission to engage, assist and empower our military veterans and first responders in need with continued service opportunities, holiday assistance and outdoor adventures.
13 teams and 16 individuals participated in the Challenge. Winners for each division are as follows.
Individual Winner – Jonathon Polk 2:20:34 Active Duty Team – EOMFD 4:06:52 Collegiate Team Winner - UCA SROTC BEAR BN –...
SDIA Spring 2016 Upland Game Bird Hunt
The weekend of March 4 - 6, 2016, boasted beautiful weather and excellent hunting conditions. Bethel Ranch in north Texas provided the perfect location for a successful Upland Game Bird Hunt for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) and sponsored participants Officer Zach McArthur, SSgt Jose Sanchez, Sgt Sheri Carter, Officer Charles Neill, Sgt. Chris Heenan, Cpl. Michael Williams, and Cpl. Kevin Lemmon. This was the second sponsored game bird hunt for SDIA. Each year they take combat wounded veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty on hunts, including hog hunting in northwest Texas. SgtMaj Lance Nutt, SDIA’s founder and president, enjoys the opportunity to give sponsored Sheep Dogs an all-expenses paid trip and time away. Nutt explained, “Our Hunting Trips give fellow Sheep Dogs something to focus on, which leads to a more positive mental state, as well as the confidence to know they can continue making a difference.” For Officer Neill, the Spring Hunt provided much needed...
SDIA Combat Wounded Member’s Social Media Videos Getting Attention
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is excited to share that one of our Combat Wounded Veteran Members, Jose Luis Sanchez, was featured on CrossFit HQ’s Facebook* and Instagram* page on Wednesday! Sanchez's Facebook and Instagram posts showing his training, perseverance and hard core resolve at Warrior Fitness Center caught their attention. In October 2011, SSgt Jose Luis Sanchez had no idea how drastically his life was about to change. While conducting a foot patrol in Afghanistan, Sanchez stepped on an IED, resulting in the amputation of his left leg below the knee, and an extremely damaged, but salvageable, right leg. For the next four years, Sanchez would struggle daily to accept the man he had become. He hid from the world – physically and emotionally – because he feared how others would see him…his injuries. Yet he vigorously pushed himself in physical therapy so he would walk again. Then he began CrossFit, and physically pushed himself further than he...
SDIA Winner of GovX Mission Giveback Donation
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is excited to announce that they have been chosen as the February recipient of GovX.com’s Mission Giveback program. GovX.com (GovX), the online shopping site exclusively for current and former military and first responders – our nation’s “Sheep Dogs” – hosts this monthly contest allowing GovX members to cast a vote for their favorite service-related organization which performs work or support among Sheep Dog communities. Whichever organization tallies the most votes receives a portion of GovX proceeds from all orders placed in the following month. During the January voting period, SDIA received the most votes from GovX members. “We are very grateful to GovX and their members for choosing SDIA as the February Mission Giveback winner,” exclaimed SDIA’s founder and president, SgtMaj Lance Nutt. “Every year we strive to give and do more for our nation’s veterans, first responders and communities. This donation holds tremendous power and will directly affect the lives of our neighbors...
SDIA Gears Up for Yosemite Adventure 2016!
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) has been invited by the National Park Service (NPS) to be their honored guests at a special Memorial Day/Centennial Celebration from May 29 through June 2 at Yosemite National Park as the NPS celebrates its 100th anniversary. It is part of SDIA’s mission to ENGAGE, ASSIST, and EMPOWER our nation’s heroes – our Sheep Dogs – and we hope that this Yosemite Adventure inspires both Sheep Dogs and fellow Americans alike to engage in the outdoors for improved health and quality of life. Many of our members and volunteers will participate and benefit from the experience. But for our nation’s Combat Altered Veterans (CAV) and First Responders Injured in the Line of Duty (FRILD), participating in outdoor adventures is necessary to their healing and survival. To assist them in this healing, SDIA and Corporate Sponsors will sponsor 35 CAV and FRILD to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity, presenting them with new...
Get Ready for the 2016 Charity Ball!
We are very excited to announce that the 4th Annual Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Charity Ball is being held on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. This formal fundraising event is held to celebrate SDIA’s accomplishments from the previous year, and recognize those members, volunteers and supporters who live out the Sheep Dog motto, “Helping Others is a Way of Life.” The Ball is open to all military and first responders, SDIA members and supporters, as well as the general public. The Charity Ball is similar in format to a military ball, and includes dinner, an awards ceremony, silent auction, dancing and more. The Sheep Dog of the Year awards presented will honor those from across the nation in the Military, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS professions who exemplify our motto. Awards will also be presented to our Volunteer, Community Partner and Sponsor of the Year.
Last year nearly $16,000 was...
Ready for a Challenge? Register Today for Our Heroes Ruck!
Do you love a challenge? Do you want to show your support for our men and women in uniform, while participating in a competitive ruck? Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) and its Central Arkansas Chapter are proud to announce the 3rd Annual Heroes Ruck Challenge on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. There will be five divisions to compete in (Active Duty, Former Duty, Civilian, Civilian Light and Collegiate), and each division's team with the best finish time will be awarded a trophy. Teams will consist of five members, and each member will carry a minimum 35lb rucksack/duty gear (except for the Civilian Light division). All participants will receive a commemorative 2016 Heroes Ruck Challenge medal.
The course will cover 15.3 miles, starting at the Clinton Presidential Center grounds, wind through downtown Little Rock, up River Trail Rd to the Big Dam Bridge, cross over to Cook’s Landing and back to the Clinton Presidential...