2016 Christmas Outreach Recap
This year's Christmas Outreach program far surpassed our expectations, both in the number in need and the overwhelming generosity of our supporters. When all the gifts were wrapped and delivered, SDIA Chapters and Teams provided gifts for more than 400 children of Sheep Dogs in need this holiday season. Words are inadequate in expressing our gratitude for every one of our sponsors, members, volunteers and supporters who contributed to this effort. We could not help these heroes and their families without YOU...THANK YOU! Northwest AR Chapter During the first part of December, the Northwest AR Chapter was busy collecting donations for its Christmas Outreach to give to the children of Sheep Dog families in need a merry Christmas. Once collected, Walmart's Marketing & Development Team got the items organized. The next day, SDIA volunteers put together gift packages for more than 150 children - and Walmart's Print Solutions Center adopted an additional 25 children. Thank you, Walmart!
Once all the packages were...
Thanksgiving Outreach & Turkey Trot for Heroes Help Over 600
We at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance hope that you had a blessed Thanksgiving! The days leading up to Thanksgiving were busy ones for us, and that's just how we like it! Through the generosity of many people with a giving heart, we are humbled to share that we fed more than 50 veteran and first responder families in need this Thanksgiving. That means more than 350 Sheep Dogs and their family members enjoyed a free traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, sides and pie. We also dropped off food at 30+ fire departments and police stations.
Thanksgiving morning brought gorgeous weather for our 9th annual Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers, Arkansas. Nearly 700 runners, walkers and Wild Gobblers participated in this year's Turkey Trot, which helped us raise more than $12,000! These funds will be used to provide gifts to the approximately 300 children of Sheep Dogs in need through our Christmas Outreach efforts. More photos...
Run in the NWA Turkey Trot 5K & Provide Christmas Gifts for Children
Most children cannot wait for Christmas morning to arrive. Seeing the gifts under the Christmas tree, opening them and playing with desired toys and games is what childhood dreams are made of. But for hundreds of children of military and first responder families in Northwest Arkansas and across the United States, there won't be gifts to be opened. You can help change that! On Thanksgiving morning (Thur., Nov. 24) from 9:00 to 11:00am, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) will host its 9th Annual Turkey Trot 5K at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers. Your participation in (or donation to) the NWA Turkey Trot provides the funding needed for our Christmas Outreach program, which gives the children of struggling Sheep Dogs gifts of toys, clothing, and necessities to open at Christmas. “As this event grows and raises more funds, we are able to help more and more children of Sheep Dog families have a merry Christmas,” said SgtMaj...
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...
Don’t Miss Out – SDIA’s Patriot Day Events are This Weekend!
Don’t miss out on the fun as we honor the fallen and show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our nation’s Sheep Dogs – those who serve (or have served) in our military, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS professions. If you live in Arkansas, Kansas, Michigan, Northeast Oklahoma, or Eastern North Carolina, we hope you will check out their respective Patriot Day Events! Proceeds from all events will fund SDIA's Holiday programs, so the more money raised means more struggling Veteran and First Responder families will have happy holidays. (Click these links for more information about out Thanksgiving Outreach and Christmas Outreach programs). Held in September each year, SDIA's Patriot Day events honor the lives lost and those injured in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and provides an opportunity to show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of all our nation's Sheep Dogs. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS...
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...
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 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.
Christmas Outreach
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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!