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...
SDIA Assists Communities in Texas and NW Arkansas
During the week of December 28, 2015, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) deployed four Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) to the Rowlett, Texas, area to assist with recovery efforts for those affected by tornadoes that struck the region two days prior. Thanks to the support of our generous donors and sponsors, SDIA deployed disaster response teams to north Texas, as well as flood relief teams to NW Arkansas and SW Missouri communities. Fourteen SDIA members and volunteers from Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee and Texas converged on the north Texas town of Rowlett, and provided chainsaw operations, debris removal and covered leaky roofs and windows on 34 homes. To see more pictures of the Rowlett DRM, visit our Facebook Album. We owe a special thank you to Larry "LG" Norrell and the crew of Bethel Ranch for allowing our teams to stay at Bethel Ranch. We could not have eaten or slept better if we had been in our own homes.
SDIA Makes Christmas Merry for 230 Sheep Dog Children
What an amazing accomplishment this year by our many SDIA members, volunteers, and supporters. Due to the effort of so many giving and caring people, we were able to make Christmas wishes come true for more than 230 children. All of these kiddos have parents that are currently serving, or have served, in the military or first responder community, and are struggling with financial difficulties this holiday season. The ability of our organization to help those that help make our country a safer place, one where all are capable of celebrating the holiday season in their own special way - our nation's Sheep Dogs - truly brings the meaning of the holiday season to life.
The NWA Chapter and Arkansas River Valley Team distributed gifts at the 2nd annual Christmas Outreach Fun Fest in Rogers, AR. Many of the families that received assistance this Christmas were able to attend, have a great meal and lots of fun. For more photos of...
Christmas Outreach: Adopt a Sheep Dog Child
SDIA's Christmas Outreach is an annual program to adopt the child(ren) of military, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS families that are in need of assistance during the holiday season. Each child adopted will receive toys from their wish list, clothing, shoes and other items that they otherwise would not have received. Won't you please help us make the holidays bright for our Sheep Dog families and their children?
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED!
IDENTIFYING FAMILIES IN NEED: Our greatest need is identifying Sheep Dog families with children that need our assistance. If you know of a worthy military, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and/or EMS family, please ask them to complete and submit the online application. The family will then be contacted by SDIA Leadership to verify and confirm the information provided; further instructions will also be given. ADOPTING or SPONSORING A CHILD/FAMILY: If you are interested in adopting or sponsoring a...
SDIA and GOVX Announce Partnership
SDIA Veteran & First Responder Members to Receive GovX Membership Benefits Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is always looking for more and better ways to give back to the brave men and women who serve or have served our country in the military and first responder professions. With that in mind, SDIA is proud to announce a new partnership with GovX.com (GovX) which will give SDIA veteran & first responder members immediate access to GovX’s special pricing on premium brands, sports & event tickets and more. "The concept behind SDIA speaks to the GovX culture of supporting all those who have ever protected and served,” stated Marc Van Buskirk, GovX co-founder and vice chair. “GovX aligning with SDIA is of the utmost importance to so many of our members as this partnership continues to show our deep commitment to those that protect and serve. GovX is thankful to be a small part in the SDIA mission.” They will show their support...