Hunting, Golfing & Skydiving Weekend Gives Veterans Much-Needed Camaraderie
The weekend of March 1-4 saw eleven Sheep Dogs hunting, golfing, and jumping out of planes during our annual Spring Bird Hunt hosted by Bethel Ranch in Whitewright, Texas. Bethel Ranch and their staff took excellent care of Army veterans Joshua Franklin, Merrill White, Beau Saucier, Chance Giannelli, Rob Beidleman, Nick Atchison, and Jason Thompson, as well as Marine veterans James Dunaway, Robert J Houser, Michael Nimmo, and Air Force veteran Scott Lilley. From the food and camaraderie to game bird hunting, Bethel Ranch treated all our Sheep Dogs like kings; the staff at The Bridges Golf Club was also incredibly generous to them. Skydive Spaceland Dallas got them in the air and safely back down to the ground, giving each an epic adrenaline rush. Merrill White hadn’t really thought much about skydiving before, but “being with that group inspired me to do more. I was able to relax and have fun...
SDIA Outdoor Adventure ShredFest3 Lives Up to Its Name
ShredFest3 lived up to its name, with 11 sponsored Sheep Dogs getting up off the couch and shredding the slopes at Chestnut Mountain Resort (CMR) in Galena, Illinois. The group included US Army, Navy & Marine Corps vets as well as law enforcement officers, a fire fighter and a paramedic. After arriving throughout the day on Thursday, the group gathered together for dinner that evening, and got a good night’s rest in preparation for a full day of fun. Since most attendees hadn’t ever skied and/or snowboarded, many took advantage of the lessons offered Friday morning from CMR’s friendly and helpful instructors. Friday and Saturday were spent shredding the slopes…or at least trying to make it down the hills without falling! Instructors also guided Nate Harrison, a blind and above-the-knee amputee USMC veteran and Kansas City police officer, down the slopes on a monoski. The hot tub, pool and sauna offered great relaxation and helped eased the bruises and soreness of...
SDIA Named CTL Non-Profit Partner for Second Straight Year
We are thrilled to share with you that SDIA has been selected as a Carry The Load (CTL) Non-Profit Partner for the second straight year! Over the past few years, we have established a rewarding relationship with CTL, and look forward to participating again in their Memorial May events. While this partnership has more benefits for us on an operational level, increasing awareness of SDIA through CTL’s vast network of like-minded organizations will benefit everyone associated with us. Increased awareness means more interest, more members, new Teams & Chapters, more financial support and more Sheep Dogs for us to engage, assist and empower on a national level.
Last year, SDIA had great participation in CTL’s Memorial May events – but we want to do more in 2018 to show CTL and our country how we can all honor and help our nation’s Sheep Dogs. Participation is whatever you can do – contribute financially, walk 5 or more miles on...
SDIA’s First Outdoor Adventure of 2018
For three days, four sponsored Sheep Dogs and one support personnel ventured into the icy terrain and below freezing temperatures of Pocahontas, AR, to get their hunt on. The Sheep Dogs were welcomed to Fallin Feathers Duck Club by owners, Arthur and Monica Loyd. During their stay, the men hunted for pheasant, did some skeet shooting and relaxed with their peers. The sponsored Sheep Dogs enjoyed this all-expenses-paid get away with the support of Fallin Feathers. While these Outdoor Adventures may seem like a “free vacation,” there is much more going on than meets the eye. Our nation’s Sheep Dogs enjoy a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie in their military and first responder lives that is nearly impossible to replicate outside of those worlds. Add to this disconnected feeling an in-combat or line-of-duty injury, and these brave men and women often become depressed, isolated and lose their sense of purpose. By bringing these Sheep Dogs on an Outdoor Adventure, we...
SDIA Outdoor Adventure to Machu Picchu this July!
Want to check hiking Machu Picchu off your bucket list? Join Sheep Dog Impact Assistance July 24 - August 5 and travel to Peru with Legend Treks to serve the people of Cusco, Pisac, Puno and Lake Titicaca with much needed eye clinics. Halfway through the trip, you will have your opportunity to hike Machu Picchu and be guided on a tour of this archeological site’s history and significance. (Visit our Facebook page to see images from our 2017 exploratory trip.)
The total cost of this trip is estimated at $2,000-2,500. Expenses include the following. (Note: There are no sponsorships available for this trip.)
Flights are $950-1,250 round trip; it is recommended to fly through Houston (IAH) to Lima to Cusco; flights also go through Bogota, Columbia, to Cusco. The earlier you book your flights, the more money you will save. Land Cost package is $950 and includes transportation to/from the airport in Cusco, baggage fees, Machu Picchu...
SDIA’s 2017 Accomplishments
2017 Accomplishments Because of your support, 2017 was an incredible year of disaster response missions and opportunities to help our fellow Sheep Dogs in need get off the couch and reengaged in living life. Here's how YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of the nearly 3,500 people we assisted in 2017.
DISASTER RESPONSE MISSIONS 425 Members and Volunteers deployed on 4 different major disaster response missions to Texas (hurricane), Florida (hurricane), Michigan (flooding) and Puerto Rico (hurricane) assisting 2,570 people and clearing 224 properties of trees & debris. Our WA Team also distributed water and sports drinks to fire fighters battling wild fires in Washington state, bringing total water distributed to 2,817 cases, and 1,950 pounds of food and supplies delivered to those devastated by natural disasters.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES SDIA sponsored 187 Sheep Dogs in Need to participate in 18 Outdoor Adventures, including hunting, skydiving, fishing, obstacle races and our national trip to Washington DC & the Marine Corps Marathon. Our Outdoor...
Nominate Your Sheep Dog of the Year TODAY!
DO YOU KNOW OF A SHEEP DOG WHO LIVES OUT OUR MOTTO, "HELPING OTHERS IS A WAY OF LIFE?"
Our Sheep Dog of the Year awards are an important way to recognize those among us who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their military or first responder professions (law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS/paramedic).
These awards are presented to Sheep Dogs who have modeled exemplary and/or heroic service during the year 2017. 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.
The nominations period is now open for our 2017 Sheep Dog of the Year awards, so if you know of a Sheep Dog worthy of this special recognition, please complete the Nomination form and submit it by the March 1, 2018 deadline.
Awards will be presented at our 6th Annual...
SDIA & Fallin Feathers Partner for Final 2017 Hunt
Last month, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) sent three Sheep Dogs in Need on our final Outdoor Adventure of 2017 . They were welcomed by Fallin Feathers Duck Club in Pocahontas, AR, for two exciting days of duck hunting December 12-14, 2017. In addition to incredible hunting grounds, the atmosphere at Fallin Feathers helped foster the camaraderie many Sheep Dogs search for outside their military and/or first responder professions. Getting injured veterans and first responders off the couch and around other Sheep Dogs who have been through similar situations is vital to inspiring a positive state of mind and perspective for the Sheep Dog and their family.
We are excited to announce Fallin Feathers will partner with SDIA for another hunt this month (January 15-18), and hopefully many more to come. Know of a Sheep Dog in need who would benefit from the camaraderie and excitement of our Outdoor Adventures? Go to sheepdogia.org for more...
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...
SDIA Teams Up With Flight of Hope on Follow-Up PR Mission
While Hurricane Maria is long gone, much of Puerto Rico still lacks electricity, clean water, medical supplies, and more. KForce’s Flight of Hope, including 4 Florida members of SDIA, went on a follow-up mission to Puerto Rico and distributed much needed supplies. SDIA is honored to be part of Flight of Hope’s collaborative effort to continue assisting the people of Puerto Rico. Flight of Hope is thankful for our onsite team and appreciates their quick response to needs, as this post from one of their member’s Facebook page says: “I want to thank the disaster response team #sheepdog for their incredibly fast response. I drove to this lady’s house to deliver supplies this past Monday and offered to purchase her a tarp. [SDIA] called me this morning and immediately drove to Hatillo, PR, to assess damage and take measurements. Great Collaboration!” Great work, SDIA members! Thank you for your willingness to assist those in need. ...