2017 Spring Outdoor Adventures
This spring has been a busy one for Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), hosting four different Outdoor Adventures in three states, all within three months. This week's story will feature our annual Hog Hunt and Quail Hunt; watch next week for a story on our first Fishing Trip and our St. Louis Chapter's Muddy Adventure. Our Outdoor Adventure program came to be as we waited for disasters to which our disaster response teams could deploy and satisfy their innate desire to serve and help those around them. We needed a continued service opportunity that would keep our Sheep Dogs engaged, physically challenged and foster camaraderie. An obstacle course race fit the bill. SDIA has since expanded the adventures to include other outdoor activities like hunting & fishing trips, skydiving, scuba diving and more. For our sponsored Sheep Dogs (those injured in combat or the line of duty), these adventures present them with challenges that test their rehabilitation progress, restore independence and self-confidence,...
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...
SDIA Chosen as 2017 Partner of Carry The Load
As a national non-profit that exists to engage, assist and empower our nation’s “Sheep Dogs” – those who make up our military and first responder professions – Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is honored to announce their selection as a 2017 partner of fellow non-profit, Carry The Load (CTL). This partnership will provide much-needed funding to sponsor Sheep Dogs injured in combat or the line of duty to go on SDIA’s Outdoor Adventure to Washington DC and take part in the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2017. “We are thrilled to be selected as a partner of CTL,” said SgtMaj Lance Nutt, SDIA’s president and founder. “Our missions to engage and assist our nation’s Sheep Dogs fit perfectly within CTL’s “Continuum of Care” program to provide funding to those who directly serve our nation’s heroes and their families. We are extremely excited to sponsor as many Sheep Dogs as possible on our Washington DC Outdoor Adventure with CTL’s help.” More than...
SDIA’s 5th Annual Charity Ball is on Sat., April 22, 2017
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is honored to announce that our 5th Annual Charity Ball will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 5:00-11:00PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa in Rogers, with guest speaker, USMC Cpl Aaron Mankin (Ret.). Held each year, the Charity Ball is a formal fundraising event that includes dinner, silent auction, dancing, and an awards ceremony which recognizes our nation’s Sheep Dogs – those in Military, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS professions – who have lived out the SDIA motto, “Helping Others is a Way of Life.” Funds raised will be used to sponsor Sheep Dogs injured in combat or the line of duty to go on an Outdoor Adventure to Washington DC and participate in the Marine Corps Marathon in October.
Guest speaker, Cpl Mankin, is a well-known inspirational speaker within military circles, and will share his story at the Charity Ball. Cpl Mankin graduated with honors from...
Nominations for Sheep Dog of the Year Awards Due March 1
It is that time again – time to ask for nominations for our Sheep Dog of the Year awards! This award is an important way to recognize those Sheep Dogs among us who have gone above and beyond their call of duty in the military or first responder professions (law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS) and live out our motto, "Helping Others is a Way of Life." These awards are presented to Sheep Dogs who have modeled exemplary and/or heroic service during the year of 2016. 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. If you know of a Sheep Dog worthy of recognition, please submit a nomination by completing the Nomination Form no later than March 1, 2017.
The Sheep Dog of the Year award presentation will take place at our 5th Annual Charity Ball on Saturday,...
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...
Thanksgiving Outreach & Turkey Trot for Heroes Help Over 600
We at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance hope that you had a blessed Thanksgiving! The days leading up to Thanksgiving were busy ones for us, and that's just how we like it! Through the generosity of many people with a giving heart, we are humbled to share that we fed more than 50 veteran and first responder families in need this Thanksgiving. That means more than 350 Sheep Dogs and their family members enjoyed a free traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, sides and pie. We also dropped off food at 30+ fire departments and police stations.
Thanksgiving morning brought gorgeous weather for our 9th annual Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers, Arkansas. Nearly 700 runners, walkers and Wild Gobblers participated in this year's Turkey Trot, which helped us raise more than $12,000! These funds will be used to provide gifts to the approximately 300 children of Sheep Dogs in need through our Christmas Outreach efforts. More photos...
The 2016 Holiday Season is Upon Us – and We Need YOUR Help!
The holiday season is upon us once again. Most Americans live well enough to enjoy the holidays, but for many of our nation's Veterans and First Responders (Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS professionals), that is not the case. These courageous men and women put their lives on the line for us each and every day, giving us the gift of protection and security. It's time for us to give them and their children the gift of happy holidays. Over the next couple of months, SDIA Teams and Chapters throughout the US will be working hard to raise money and secure donations for our two Holiday Programs benefiting Sheep Dog families in need.
The Thanksgiving Outreach program provides a complete traditional Thanksgiving dinner including a turkey, ham, vegetables, sides, and pie. Meals are provided to Sheep Dog families in need of assistance who have applied and been approved by Team/Chapter leadership. Donations in the amount of $60 will feed one family.
Our...
Patriot Day 2016 Events Recap
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) and a few of its Chapters recently held Patriot Day events to honor the lives lost and those injured in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and provide an opportunity to show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of all our nation’s Sheep Dogs. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. While events were free to attend, donations received will be used to provide Sheep Dogs in need with Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts for their children. SDIA's Northwest Arkansas Chapter, Arkansas River Valley Team and Central Arkansas Chapter joined together for a special day honoring the fallen at this year's 6th Annual SDIA Patriot Day event, held in Little Rock Arkansas at War Memorial Stadium. This year is also the 100th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Reserves, which were commemorated with a special Centennial Celebration at the event. A proclamation from Little Rock...
