SDIA’s 5th Annual Charity Ball is on Sat., April 22, 2017
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is honored to announce that our 5th Annual Charity Ball will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 5:00-11:00PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa in Rogers, with guest speaker, USMC Cpl Aaron Mankin (Ret.). Held each year, the Charity Ball is a formal fundraising event that includes dinner, silent auction, dancing, and an awards ceremony which recognizes our nation’s Sheep Dogs – those in Military, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS professions – who have lived out the SDIA motto, “Helping Others is a Way of Life.” Funds raised will be used to sponsor Sheep Dogs injured in combat or the line of duty to go on an Outdoor Adventure to Washington DC and participate in the Marine Corps Marathon in October.
Guest speaker, Cpl Mankin, is a well-known inspirational speaker within military circles, and will share his story at the Charity Ball. Cpl Mankin graduated with honors from...
Nominations for Sheep Dog of the Year Awards Due March 1
It is that time again – time to ask for nominations for our Sheep Dog of the Year awards! This award is an important way to recognize those Sheep Dogs among us who have gone above and beyond their call of duty in the military or first responder professions (law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS) and live out our motto, "Helping Others is a Way of Life." These awards are presented to Sheep Dogs who have modeled exemplary and/or heroic service during the year of 2016. Although a single heroic incident may be worthy of consideration, special consideration is given to those nominees who have distinguished themselves and their profession throughout their careers. If you know of a Sheep Dog worthy of recognition, please submit a nomination by completing the Nomination Form no later than March 1, 2017.
The Sheep Dog of the Year award presentation will take place at our 5th Annual Charity Ball on Saturday,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
SDIA’s Unforgettable Adventure at Yosemite National Park
After 5 days of camping in and exploring the vast and magnificent Yosemite National Park, the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) group was tired, but refreshed and invigorated by their experiences. As special guests of the National Park Service as they celebrate their 100th anniversary, the 60+ Sheep Dogs and family members who participated in this Outdoor Adventure were treated to upgraded camp sites, a special tour, and the opportunity to discover all this incredible park has to offer. From May 29 through June 2, SDIA guests visited Tuolumne Meadows, swam at snow melt Tenaya Lake, summited waterfall peaks, and hiked and explored the meadows, ponds, rivers and mountains surrounding them. A highlight for many was the private guided tram-ride tour of Yosemite Valley by the Park Rangers; during the tour, Rangers thanked our sponsored Sheep Dogs for their service and for honoring the Park by spending Memorial Day week in Yosemite.
For all who were there, being unplugged from technology,...
SDIA’s Arkansas Chapters Team Up for Major Patriot Day Event at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is excited to announce a joint venture between their Northwest Arkansas and Central Arkansas chapters, and the Arkansas River Valley Team, to host their largest Patriot Day event to date. The 6th Annual Patriot Day festival will be held on Sat., Sept. 10, 2016, in a new, larger location – War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. In the stadium, teams from all over the region will compete in the first Patriot Bowl 8-on-8 Flag Football Tournament. The tournament will be going at the same time as our Patriot Day Festival in the parking lot.
This event is the perfect opportunity for children and adults to get to know their local Sheep Dogs – the men and women who make up our military and first responder professions. Attendees can meet them, learn about what they do, and see and touch vehicles and equipment, watch K9 and rescue demonstrations, visit interactive displays, children’s activities, vendor booths, and more activities throughout...