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...
Give to SDIA on #GivingTuesday and Your Donation Could Be Doubled!
Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday. Beginning at 7am CST on Tues., Nov. 28, Facebook and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match up to $50,000 per nonprofit or $1,000 per fundraiser/donate button - meaning YOUR DONATION could be DOUBLED! It's simple - just visit our Facebook page on Tuesday at 8am and make your donation with our Donate button. Your donation to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance will allow us to ENGAGE, ASSIST and EMPOWER more of our nation's Sheep Dogs - military & first responders - than ever before. Every dollar you give will help fund our Disaster Response, Outdoor Adventures, and Holiday Assistance programs. These programs are a crucial element in helping our heroes - especially those injured in combat or the line of duty - continue to have a positive mindset and perspective. How do these programs help?
For Sheep Dogs, the standard of camaraderie and peer support is very high. Without...
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...
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 Carries The Load in East Coast Relay
A few months ago, SDIA announced that they were named a 2017 nonprofit partner of Carry The Load (CTL), a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day and providing active, meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes throughout the year. Sheep Dogs who have given the ultimate sacrifice are honored and remembered – their load carried – at CTL events. One of CTL’s largest events is the National Relay, which has teams of people raising money and walking, running or bicycling 5+-mile legs of the over 6,200-mile routes throughout the month of May. The routes begin on the East and West Coasts, and meet in Dallas, TX, on Memorial Day weekend for the Memorial March. CTL’s founder carried one pound of weight for each of the people he carried on that first Memorial Day walk; now participants are encouraged to carry weighted backpacks with the names of those they are carrying...
SDIA’s Charity Ball Raises $40,000 to Send Veterans, First Responders to DC
On Saturday, April 22, we held our 5th Annual Charity Ball at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa in Rogers. More than 425 people attended and helped us raise over $40,000, which will be used to sponsor Sheep Dogs injured in combat or the line of duty to go on Outdoor Adventures; this October, 20 Sheep Dogs will be sponsored on an epic trip to Washington DC. The Charity Ball’s Host Sponsor was Bennett Packaging, along with Presenting Sponsors Broadway Contracting, JUNK Brands, Walmart, White Lynx Creative, and Zantac. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner with musical entertainment provided by local artist, Cameron Johnson Music, and participated in the silent auction & live auction (sponsored by Bailey & Oliver's Live Auction Team), as well as the Heads or Tails game (sponsored by Gall Excavation).
Sheep Dog of the Year Awards were presented to William Tremaine, Jr, of Ward, Arkansas (EMS), Chief Dennis Ledbetter...
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...