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...
2019 Turkey Trot for Heroes Coverage
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https://www.nwahomepage.com/myfox24/turkey-trot-for-heroes-2/amp/ https://www.nwahomepage.com/lifestyle/good-day-nwa/good-day-nwa-turkey-trot-for-heroes/
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/knwa/turkey-trot-for-heroes/...
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...
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...