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 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 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...
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Raises Over $160,000 at Heroes Gala
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Recognizes Sheep Dogs of the Year and Raises Over $160,000 at Heroes Gala Proceeds to Fund Programs to Help Reduce Suicides in Veteran/First Responder Communities
The tables have long been cleared and the floors have been swept, but the impact that the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) 7th Annual Heroes Gala had on its attendees on Saturday, April 27, was powerful. So powerful that the event raised more than $160,000, the proceeds of which will be used to fund Disaster Response Missions and sponsor Veterans and First Responders for Outdoor Adventures during 2019. Heroes Gala Emcee Aaron Mankin, USMC (Ret.), Honorary Chair David Scogin, Guest Speaker Cpl. Nick Perales, USMC (Ret.), Gold Star Mother Debbie Lee, and BlackGuard Customs founder and USMC veteran Cpl. Liam Fuller spoke to the crowd of over 500, touching the hearts of all who heard their stories.
Much like a military ball, the Heroes Gala began with an official ceremony, the...
Sheep Dogs Heal Through Helping
Recent Alabama tornadoes bring Sheep Dogs together for four days of meaningful volunteer work.
On Sunday, March 3, tornadoes touched down across portions of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. The worst of these was a devastating EF-4 tornado that claimed the lives of 23 people and destroyed numerous homes and businesses in Lee County, Alabama. Within 3 days, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) had a Disaster Response (DR) Team on the ground to help. “I hated seeing the people in the shape they were in,” said Christopher MacKay, an Army veteran volunteer. “Their spirits were high, but you could see in their eyes they had a lot of work ahead of them. I’m glad we could cut down on their burden.”
And they did. The DR Team conducted chainsaw operations in the area to clear more than 250 downed or damaged trees from roads, driveways, houses and 19 properties, as well as other meaningful work. At the end of the four-day mission, the...
SDIA a Top 20 Finalist in Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s 2019 Citizen Honors Awards
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is thrilled to announce that, thanks to the nomination by and support of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, they are a Top 20 Finalist for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s 2019 Citizen Honors Awards. Winners will be announced in Washington, DC, at a special ceremony on National Medal of Honor Day, March 25. The Citizen Honors Awards are presented each year to four citizens and one community organization to recognize those who embody the values of the Medal of Honor – courage, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, citizenship and patriotism – in their selfless and exceptional acts of bravery and community service. Since 2008, only 46 awards have been given. “All of us at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance are humbled and honored to be considered and recognized as a Top 20 Finalist for this esteemed award,” said SDIA founder and president, SgtMaj Lance Nutt, USMC (Ret.). “This came as a complete surprise, and we cannot fully...
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. ...