Outdoor Adventures
Throughout the year, we host challenging events in which our fellow Sheep Dogs can participate. These adventures give them opportunities to get up off the couch, be around their peers, and reengage in life. Particularly for those injured in combat or the line of duty, SDIA's Outdoor Adventures give our Sheep Dogs a chance to see how far they have come since being injured, and remind them that no matter the obstacle, they can overcome it with their brothers and sisters by their side. As a result, participants have a new focus, revitalized self-confidence, and are reminded that they can continue making a difference in their communities and for their country. Past adventures have included obstacle races, skydiving, whitewater rafting, big game & bird hunts, ruck marches, and scuba diving.
Testimonials: Asheville Adventure Weekend & Spartan Super, August 6, 2016 - U.S. Navy veteran and firefighter, Jamie Smith, felt the Spartan Super's grueling 9-mile course and 25 obstacles provided the challenge he...
The 2016 Holiday Season is Upon Us – and We Need YOUR Help!
The holiday season is upon us once again. Most Americans live well enough to enjoy the holidays, but for many of our nation's Veterans and First Responders (Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS professionals), that is not the case. These courageous men and women put their lives on the line for us each and every day, giving us the gift of protection and security. It's time for us to give them and their children the gift of happy holidays. Over the next couple of months, SDIA Teams and Chapters throughout the US will be working hard to raise money and secure donations for our two Holiday Programs benefiting Sheep Dog families in need.
The Thanksgiving Outreach program provides a complete traditional Thanksgiving dinner including a turkey, ham, vegetables, sides, and pie. Meals are provided to Sheep Dog families in need of assistance who have applied and been approved by Team/Chapter leadership. Donations in the amount of $60 will feed one family.
Our...
Rafting & Racing Inspire Sheep Dogs
They started arriving in North Carolina on Thursday, August 4, and by Friday, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) had 70+ veterans, first responders and supporters gathered to participate in their Western North Carolina Chapter’s Adventure Weekend. This annual adventure culminates in running the Asheville Spartan Super, and for 30 of the participants, the race would be a test of how far they had come since being injured in combat or the line of duty - and a reminder that no matter the obstacle, they can overcome it all with their brothers and sisters by their side. The Sheep Dogs started their weekend with a hearty breakfast at the Dixie Diner in Hendersonville on Friday morning, followed by white water rafting on the Nantahala River.
James Hurn, Deputy Sheriff with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, summed up the experience the best. “I thought it was going to be a typical rafting trip,” he said. “But I quickly learned that when you...
Skydiving Events Renew Spirits of Sponsored Sheep Dogs
Ask someone if they want to skydive, and you are sure to get one of two adamant answers – “YES! Let’s do it!” or “Are you CRAZY?! Why would I jump out of a perfectly good airplane?!” Fortunately for the willing, both the Northwest Arkansas Chapter and Michigan Team of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) recently held skydiving events – with the others enjoying the excitement and camaraderie with their feet firmly on the ground. While some members of SDIA have jumped as part of their military training, not all did. For those who stayed on the ground or in the plane, skydiving may provide the rush of combat or other intensive training in a very new way. This was the case for sponsored first-time skydiver USMC Cpl Justin Denslow at the Michigan Team’s July 3 event held at Skydive Tecumseh. After being diagnosed with PTSD upon his return from Afghanistan, Cpl Denslow tried various treatments/training to manage his symptoms...
Project Giving: Thanksgiving Meals & Turkey Trot 5K 2015 Recaps
PROJECT GIVING: THANKSGIVING MEALS Last week, SDIA Teams and Chapters throughout the US worked tirelessly to bless more than 70 Sheep Dog families through our Project Giving: Thanksgiving Meals program. This holiday program provides a complete traditional Thanksgiving dinner to military and first responder families in need. Thank you to everyone who donated financially or materially to help give these Sheep Dog families a happy Thanksgiving. Our Arkansas River Valley Team and Northwest Arkansas Chapter were blessed to provide Thanksgiving meals for 64 families. To view more photos, visit our Facebook Album. The Eastern TN Team delivered 56 pies to Johnson City and Bristol fire & EMS stations. Team members also served food to those in need at the Family Resource Center at Oak Ridge Schools. The Central AR Chapter spent their third Thanksgiving morning at the VA hospital in Ft. Roots. Members delivered trays to patient's rooms and worked the chow line serving the Thanksgiving...
Disaster Response Missions
As became evident during September 11th, 2001, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, our federal & local governments and relief organizations are not always equipped or prepared for such unexpected and widespread devastation.
Sheep Dog’s aim is to bypass the slow-moving bureaucracy and red tape of larger organizations. Instead, its strength lies in small, localized, independent chapters made up of those already trained and ready to help: your community’s current and former military, emergency and law enforcement personnel.
Christmas Outreach
<style=”text-left: center;”>
Christmas Outreach is our annual program to adopt the children of any military, law enforcement, fire & rescue or EMS family that needs assistance during the holiday season. Our goal this year is to build on previous years’ successes by providing 70 children with Christmas toys and clothing.
Our greatest need is identifying Sheep Dog families with children that need our assistance. If you know of a worthy Sheep Dog family, please contact us as soon as possible. Each child adopted will receive three toys from their “Santa wish list”, clothing, shoes and other miscellaneous items to brighten the child’s Christmas!
Thanksgiving Outreach
Project Giving is our annual Thanksgiving program to provide meals to military, law enforcement, fire & rescue or EMS families needing assistance during the holiday season. Our goal this year is to increase the number of families we can support, providing 45 families with a traditional family Thanksgiving meal.
Our greatest challenge is identifying Sheep Dog families that need our assistance. If you know of a worthy Sheep Dog family, please contact us as soon as possible. Families will receive a whole Turkey, Ham and all the trimmings, including 2 pies, corn, green beans, stuffing, potatoes, and much more!