SDIA & Fallin Feathers Partner for Final 2017 Hunt
Last month, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) sent three Sheep Dogs in Need on our final Outdoor Adventure of 2017 . They were welcomed by Fallin Feathers Duck Club in Pocahontas, AR, for two exciting days of duck hunting December 12-14, 2017. In addition to incredible hunting grounds, the atmosphere at Fallin Feathers helped foster the camaraderie many Sheep Dogs search for outside their military and/or first responder professions. Getting injured veterans and first responders off the couch and around other Sheep Dogs who have been through similar situations is vital to inspiring a positive state of mind and perspective for the Sheep Dog and their family.
We are excited to announce Fallin Feathers will partner with SDIA for another hunt this month (January 15-18), and hopefully many more to come. Know of a Sheep Dog in need who would benefit from the camaraderie and excitement of our Outdoor Adventures? Go to sheepdogia.org for more...
Christmas Outreach Makes Holiday Bright for Sheep Dog Families in Need
The scene at SDIA's 4th Annual Christmas Outreach Party on Saturday, December 16, was one of joy and excitement for all the children and families in attendance. Because of the generosity of so many giving and caring people, SDIA made Christmas wishes come true for more than 250 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 SDIA to help those that make our country a safer place - our nation's Sheep Dogs - truly brings the meaning of the holiday season to life. Our Christmas Outreach party is an event that we look forward to every year; we invite the families we are helping for Christmas and make sure they know how much we appreciate them during this special time of year. We cannot say Thank You enough to the many volunteers and businesses - like Walmart...
Christmas and Hunting Don’t Go Together…or Do They?
While they may not seem to go together - Christmas and hunting - for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) and the brave men & women we serve, the idea behind both is the same: Helping Others is a Way of Life. We help the children of Sheep Dogs in need have a Merry Christmas by providing them with gifts and necessities their families are unable to give. And we help Sheep Dogs who have been wounded in combat or the line of duty go on all-expenses-paid Outdoor Adventures by collecting donations to sponsor them.
Why do we sponsor them for Outdoor Adventures? By getting them off the couch and engaged in a healthy activity - like obstacle course races, hunting, fishing, skydiving - with others who have been through similar traumatic experiences, they feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie that is non-existent in civilian life. Being able to share their struggles and emotions facilitates organic healing, and reminds them they...
SDIA Receives Lakefront Property for Future Military & First Responder Retreats
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is excited to announce that they have been gifted a substantial parcel of land on Beaver Lake by Jeff Engleman and his family. The property will be used as a retreat for Sheep Dogs in need. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Monday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m., with board members, staff, members and volunteers in attendance, as well as local news station KNWA. You can view their news coverage here.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to enhance our National Outdoor Adventure program,” said SDIA founder and president, SgtMaj Lance Nutt. “Our sponsored Sheep Dogs – military and/or first responders injured in combat or the line of duty – have been through and endured so much to protect us and our freedoms. We hope that giving them the opportunity to relax in a quiet, serene setting with the option to hike or participate in various water activities will further encourage them to reengage in...
2017 National Outdoor Adventure: DC & Marine Corps Marathon
Last weekend (Oct. 19-23) SDIA descended upon Washington DC with more than 60 Sheep Dogs, SDIA members and family members converging in our nation’s epicenter for an incredible Outdoor Adventure to experience our nation’s history and beauty, and to run in the Marine Corps Marathon or 10K.
The weather was gorgeous all weekend, providing the perfect backdrop for all the tours, activities and the MCM in which the group participated! Jim Mulvihill Tours, guide Jace, and bus drivers Sam & Darwin, were phenomenal at navigating to the various landmarks, monuments and memorials that the DC and Arlington areas have to offer.
The group’s first tour was on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Pentagon Memorial, a truly beautiful and moving tribute to the 184 lives lost on 9/11, followed by a leisurely walk around the US Capitol and the Supreme Court building.
On Friday, the group spent the morning at the incomparable National Museum of the Marine...
HURRICANE MARIA – PUERTO RICO DRM RECAP 10.18.17
Our Disaster Response (DR) Team covered nearly the entire island of Puerto Rico during their 11-day mission October 5-16. They made an immeasurable difference in the lives of all those they helped – all while fighting the same struggles as the residents…little power, scarcity of water and food, and the weather.
The DR Team:
assisted nearly 400 residents; cleared 30+ trees from properties & roadways; distributed 450+ cases water; and distributed food, batteries, lanterns and other supplies.
The need in Puerto Rico is still great with little aid getting to those in need. The DR Team did whatever work was needed – from repairs, clearing debris, removing trees, clearing roadways & driveways; they even helped to restore a house that was destroyed by a large palm tree falling on it. A Bayamon family they assisted had been without assistance of any kind for 25 days; the mother is a widow who lost her job when the Sears she worked at was...
HURRICANE MARIA – PUERTO RICO DRM UPDATE 10.12.17
Following closely on the heels of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma was Hurricane Maria - and she devastated the island of Puerto Rico. To date over 80% of the population is still with power and most businesses are still not operational, but SDIA was able to send a small Disaster Response (DR) Team to help. Since their Oct. 3 arrival, the 5-person DR Team has assisted many residents of central Puerto Rico. From 10/3-12, the DR Team has:
Assisted 200+ people; Cleared properties of 15+ trees and debris; Repaired 2 homes; and Distributed 1,300 gallons of water, as well as food and other supplies.
If you are willing and able, we need and greatly appreciate your continued financial support. Financial donations can be made securely online at sheepdogia.org/get-involved/donate. Cash and fuel cards can be dropped off at or mailed to: SDIA National Office, 1200 W. Walnut St., Suite 2301, Rogers AR 72756. THANK YOU to everyone who has donated and/or supported SDIA...
Run the Turkey Trot & Provide Christmas Gifts for Children
Most Americans live well enough to enjoy the holidays, but for many of our nation’s Sheep Dogs - former and current Veterans & First Responders (Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS/Paramedic 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 a Merry Christmas! Your participation in (or donation to) our Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K, Wild Gobbler 5K or 1-mile Fun Run/Walk provides the funding needed for our Christmas Outreach program, which gives the children of struggling Sheep Dogs gifts to open at Christmas. On Thanksgiving morning (Thur., Nov. 23) from 9:00 to 11:00am, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) will host its 10th Annual Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers. Join in the fun and competition all while raising needed...
SDIA’s DRM to South Texas 8/20-9/4/17
As SDIA Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) work to assist those affected by Hurricane Irma in Florida, DRTs will also redeploy on Thur., Sept. 14, to Rockport, Texas, to continue with muck-out operations in that area.
While we await news of their hard work, here is a recap of – and a few stories from – the recent Disaster Response Mission (DRM) to Texas.
The first DRT departed from Northwest Arkansas the evening of 8/29, stopping at Bethel Ranch in Texas to rest for the night - THANK YOU for your generosity and hospitality, Bethel Ranch! The next morning the DRT continued to Houston. On the way, they stopped to visit Non-Profit Partner, Carry The Load (CTL), in Dallas. CTL blessed SDIA with a $20,000 contribution toward assistance efforts, and 3 truckloads of supplies the next day. Thank you, Carry The Load!
After arriving in Spring, TX, the DRT set up their Command Center, and once they began...
SDIA Hurricane Harvey DRM Update 9.3.17
Over 130 SDIA Members, Volunteers and 1st Battalion, 23rd Regiment Marines have been working long, hard days in 90+ degree heat helping the people of Texas begin recovering from Hurricane Harvey's devastation. Yesterday alone, the DRTs worked in 7 different areas to:
Deliver water, food & medical supplies to residents and aid stations;
Boat assist 7 families in Beaumont and Memorial to retrieve medications and IDs/needed documents;
Muck-out 14 homes; and
Chainsaw 13 properites clear of trees & debris.
Today - the last day of this deployment, 130 SDIA members, volunteers and Marines will be mucking out 14 homes in Spring, Texas. Most homes in the area had water up to the ceiling on the first level, which requires removal of all flooring, sheetrock and insulation. One of many moving moments during this mission happened after the teams finished their work yesterday. One group had mucked out a Marine Vietnam Veteran's home the day before; in a closet the team...