Yellowstone Adventure Provides Camaraderie, Healing for Veterans & First Responders
Sheep Dogs Arrive at Yellowstone for Camaraderie & Snowmobiling Wednesday, January 29, was a beautiful day at the Bozeman, Montana, airport as Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) welcomed more than 35 veterans and first responders to town for a weekend of camaraderie and snowmobiling in West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park.
Many of the Sheep Dogs were participating in an SDIA Outdoor Adventure for the first time, and there was nervous excitement, and some anxiety, on many faces. Roger, a Navy veteran, was one of them. He sat alone for a while, and though he spoke with anyone who talked with him, he was quiet, watchful and apprehensive among so many strangers. He had taken a monumental step in helping himself by going on this trip – simply leaving his house was a battle he often didn’t win. But that day he had left his house…and went to an airport, and flew on two planes to get...
SDIA is Celebrating 10 Years of Helping Sheep Dogs #GetOffTheCouch in 2020
SDIA IS TURNING 10! It's hard to believe, but on July 13, 2020, SDIA will be 10 years old. That's:
10 years of helping our nation's heroes #GetOffTheCouch; 10 years of Disaster Response Missions and Outdoor Adventures; 10 years of lives changed by bringing Sheep Dogs together; and 10 years of working with amazing volunteers, supporters and sponsors to make it happen.
Here's a quick look at where we started, and how we got to where we are today.
OUR HISTORY When Hurricane Katrina wiped out entire communities in 2005, people the world over were shocked by the devastation, and the fact that people sat for days without help…hungry, thirsty, injured, suffering and even dying. As most watched the horror unfold helplessly from their living rooms, the idea of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) began to take shape when then USMC Gunnery Sergeant Lance Nutt used years of emergency and logistical training to lead a strategic relief effort to Pass Christian, Mississippi. It...
Happy New Year 2020!
Happy New Year! 2019 was an incredible year, and we've got big plans to make 2020 - our 10th Anniversary - our biggest and best yet! We can't wait to share it all with you, because YOU made it all possible. It's hard to believe, but on July 13, 2020, SDIA will be 10 years old. That's:
10 years of helping Sheep Dogs #GetOffTheCouch; 10 years of Disaster Response Missions and Outdoor Adventures; 10 years of lives changed by bringing Sheep Dogs together; and 10 years of working with amazing donors, supporters and sponsors to make it happen.
We have many things planned to make 2020 our most exciting year yet. We'll soon be launching limited edition merchandise, and have a special event in the works - as well as incredible guests like American hero Noah Galloway and US Army veteran and country singer/musician Matt Williams lined up for our Heroes Gala on April 18. For now, we simply want to wish...
There’s Still Time to Give & Change a Hero’s Life
Please Give and Change a Hero's Life! The heroes we have helped in 2019 are incredibly grateful for your generous support. Without YOU, they could not #GetOffTheCouch and feel the camaraderie and sense of belonging they desperately needed. They could not be part of something bigger than themselves. They could not help their fellow Sheep Dogs. Won't you please give a tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, $100 or $500 or more before December 31 to guarantee that in 2020 - our 10 year anniversary - more Sheep Dogs can participate in SDIA’s Disaster Response Missions and Outdoor Adventures, and experience the positive life change that comes from being with brothers and sisters who have been through similar experiences? To make a secure online donation, visit www.SheepDogIA.org/get-involved/donate. Or mail your donation to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, 1200 West Walnut Street, Suite 2301, Rogers AR 72756. Watch this video to see how YOUR DONATION changes the lives of our nation's heroes. And thank you for investing in the...
SDIA’s Turkey Trot for Heroes Happens in TWO DAYS!
SDIA's 12th annual #TurkeyTrotForHeroes 5K is TWO DAYS AWAY! Register today to #GetOffTheCouch and honor those who willingly put their life on the line for us every day - sign up at https://tinyurl.com/yxu9ta92 today!
Our Turkey Trot for Heroes has something for everyone!
Turkey Trot is a standard 5K Wild Gobbler is a 5K with five scalable CrossFit exercise stations throughout the route, each one honoring a Fallen Hero (see who they are below) 1-mile Fun Run/Walk is for families or those who want to participate without running a 5K Virtual Run - if you're traveling or live outside NWA (or are not a runner!), you can still participate and support our mission by registering for this option!
No matter where you are, you can get your Turkey Trot on!
2019 FALLEN HEROES Each year we honor five Fallen Heroes on our Wild Gobbler 5K route. At each station, there are scalable/modifiable CrossFit exercises that represent the Hero...
SDIA’s Trip to NYC Brings Healing, Camaraderie to 80+ Veterans, First Responders
Veterans, First Responders Visit Ground Zero The last weekend in September 2019 was beautiful in New York City, and the nearly 90 Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Outdoor Adventurers filled their days with an appearance on Fox & Friends, tours, food, a 5K and the much-needed camaraderie of their fellow Sheep Dogs. This SDIA Outdoor Adventure centered on Ground Zero, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K because for many of the sponsored Sheep Dogs, their military and/or first responder professions began as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These sites were “bucket list” items for many, bringing them full circle, physically and emotionally. “I feel like my military career and experiences came full circle. That everyone I know who is no longer here is commemorated every year at the very least. And that this organization is here to have your six and get you out there...
SDIA Completes First Disaster Response Mission to Bahamas
SDIA’s Disaster Response (DR) Team has returned home from the Bahamas after eight long days and nights of traveling to/from, and working in, the Bahamas. While they are physically exhausted, helping the Bahamian people begin to recover was a very powerful and rewarding experience for the entire team. The DRM Team was made up of 12 people – six from Northwest Arkansas (including SDIA’s founder & president, and three National Office staff members), two from the Central Florida Team, one from the Central North Carolina Team, one from the Southern Indiana Team, one from the Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and one from New York.
The work the DR Team completed in their two very full days made a huge difference in the lives of those they assisted. The Team:
assisted more than 300 people, including 5 former law enforcement officers (two with 30+ years of service); tarped 21 roofs, including a preschool/daycare; cleared 39 trees; mucked-out 3 houses; ...
NEWS Coverage of DRM to Bahamas
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/knwa/day-3-sheep-dog-impact-assistance-assisting-in-the-bahamas/ ‘https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/knwa/day-3-sheep-dog-impact-assistance-assisting-in-the-bahamas
https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/bahamas-strong-local-volunteer-helps-rebuild-after-dorian/ ‘https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/bahamas-strong-local-volunteer-helps-rebuild-after-dorian/
https://www.kark.com/news/sheep-dog-deploying-to-bahamas-for-hurricane-dorian-relief/
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/knwa/sheep-dog-deployed-to-the-bahamas/
SDIA Deploys on Their First Disaster Response Mission Outside the US to Bahamas
For the first time in our history, #SDIA deployed a #DisasterResponse Team (DRT) outside of the US to the #Bahamas. The DRT departed on Wed., 9/11, and arrived in Miami, Florida, Thursday evening. The Team’s transportation to the Bahamas was originally slated for Fri., 9/13; however, Tropical Storm Humberto and logistical issues caused delays. We are happy to report that the Team disembarked the ship for relief efforts the morning of Mon., Sept. 16, and immediately went to work helping Bahamians by covering leaking roofs and windows, removing trees and debris from homes & properties, and distributing supplies. You can follow our Bahamas #DisasterResponseMission (DRM) right here, and on our social media pages (Facebook @SheepDogIA; Instagram @sheep_dog_impact_assistance). Want to know where they're at? You can see their location in real time by clicking this link: https://tinyurl.com/y45n2klq We need your support so that our DRT can help as many people as possible! Please join our Team...
Veterans, First Responders Deploy as Disaster Season Starts Early and Hits Hard
SDIA's 2019 Disaster Season Starts Early
The 2019 storm season started off much earlier than usual across the US, hitting the central portion particularly hard. But Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Disaster Response members and volunteers were ready.
Since March, SDIA’s Disaster Response (DR) teams have already deployed on 9 Disaster Response Missions (DRMs) to areas affected by tornadoes and flooding in Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Kansas and Arkansas. Our DR teams - made up of 128 SDIA members from our Central Arkansas Chapter, Central Florida Team, Greater Cincinnati Chapter, Kansas Chapter, Mississippi Team, North Texas Chapter, Northwest Arkansas Chapter, Southern Indiana Team, and Southern Missouri Team, as well as members & volunteers from Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia - have spent 24 days on missions so far. They cleared more than 372 trees & truckloads of debris from 50+ properties, mucked out many homes, distributed medical, cleaning, hygiene...