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 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 Outdoor Adventures Inspire Veterans, First Responders to #GetOffTheCouch
Outdoor Adventures Foster Healing for Veterans & First Responders From late March through early June, SDIA was very busy helping Sheep Dogs #GetOffTheCouch on SEVEN Outdoor Adventures. Particularly for sponsored Sheep Dogs – those veterans and/or first responders injured in combat/line of duty or experiencing intense stressors – time away from day-to-day issues and anxiety, and spending time outdoors with fellow Sheep Dogs is exactly what is needed. It fosters camaraderie, organic healing, and many times leads to a renewed sense of purpose to reengage in living a productive and meaningful life.
To all the companies, organizations and individuals that partnered with us and/or sponsored/donated to these Outdoor Adventures, thank you for your support and generosity, and for making our Sheep Dogs feel like the heroes they are. To see more photos from many of these adventures, visit our Facebook page.
If you are interested in learning more about our Outdoor Adventures or know of a Sheep Dog in need...
SDIA Partners with VA/Vet Centers to Improve Veterans’ Lives Through Yellowstone Adventure
The beauty of Yellowstone National Park and Yellowstone National Forest are spectacular in the summer, and as Sheep Dog Impact Assistance’s (SDIA) group of 43 veterans, first responders and family members discovered on the January 23-27 Yellowstone Outdoor Adventure, winter in this vast wilderness is just as stunning when riding a snowmobile. This was the first Outdoor Adventure SDIA conducted in partnership with the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Vet Centers across the nation. Through this partnership, the VA and Vet Centers identified and recommended to SDIA 27 veterans; these veterans joined 8 other veterans and first responders for a weekend that took them on a guided snowmobile tour of the National Park, snowmobiling time on their own in the National Forest, group dinners, free time, and most importantly, time to talk with fellow Sheep Dogs about their experiences, struggles and successes. By giving them an opportunity to #GetOffTheCouch, the camaraderie and connection with peers...
Wishing You a Merry Christmas and Blessed 2019!
All of us at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) want to take a moment during this hectic and busy time of year to thank YOU for your support of SDIA and our missions this past year. Because you generously gave your time, money and/or resources, we were able to accomplish the following in 2018.
DISASTER RESPONSE:Assisted 7,219 people devastated by 5 hurricanes, 1 flood, 5 tornadoes, and firefighters battling wild fires.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES:Engaged and empowered 479 military and first responders to #GetOffTheCouch through 31 hunting, fishing, skydiving and other adventures.
THANKSGIVING OUTREACH:Delivered Thanksgiving meals to 830+ people and 32 fire, police and sheriff departments.
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH:Gave more than 350 children of struggling Sheep Dogs gifts of toys, clothing and necessities for Christmas.
From all of us at SDIA, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and have a blessed 2019. ...
Veterans Coming Home: Cibeles Ramirez Rodriguez
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance - Central Arkansas member Cibeles Ramirez Rodriguez recently told AETN how #SDIA helped her #GetOffTheCouch and positively impacted her and her son's lives. Do you know someone who needs to find a purpose? Join us at www.SheepDogIA.org!
Suicide is the Reason SDIA Empowers Sheep Dogs to #GetOffTheCouch
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Many of us know or know of someone who has committed suicide. We also know that people of all ages, beliefs, professions, ethnic backgrounds and financial situations choose to end their lives. A widely publicized number of suicides for the veteran population is 22 per day, and it is estimated that the number of suicides in our first responder communities could be double that. How can we curb this surge of lives lost? How can we help those that are hurting so deeply? How can we get these brave men and women who are willing to die for us to talk about “it”? At Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), we have seen that it starts with getting Sheep Dogs off the proverbial “couch” – that dark, desolate place that so many get stuck in – and around fellow Sheep Dogs who have suffered similar traumas & experiences. Being among their military and first responder brothers and sisters brings...
Big Fun at 4th Annual Big Boat Bash
What an incredible weekend we had at the 4th Annual Big Boat Bash Street Party and 4th Annual Big Boat Bash Fun Run! The weather was good and our Sheep Dogs hosted on boats had an exhilarating day on the water. Congratulations to Kenneth Davis for his first place winning poker hand, and 2nd & 3rd place winners Karie Maasen and Wendi Maasen (respectively) - THANK YOU ALL for donating your winnings to #SDIA!
Thank you to Beaver Lake Performance and Powerboat Assn, Brian Buckminster, Benjamin Moore, Christopher Kinney and everyone else involved in putting together this event - we are humbled by your support! Special thanks as well to all our sponsors - we could not do what we do without you: Complete Audio Visual, Performance Boat Center, OLD TOWN AUTO BODY AND SALES INC./ PHASER MARINE, Triple Oaks Investments, Prairie...