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...
SDIA Partners with VA/Vet Centers to Improve Veterans’ Lives Through Yellowstone Adventure
The beauty of Yellowstone National Park and Yellowstone National Forest are spectacular in the summer, and as Sheep Dog Impact Assistance’s (SDIA) group of 43 veterans, first responders and family members discovered on the January 23-27 Yellowstone Outdoor Adventure, winter in this vast wilderness is just as stunning when riding a snowmobile. This was the first Outdoor Adventure SDIA conducted in partnership with the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Vet Centers across the nation. Through this partnership, the VA and Vet Centers identified and recommended to SDIA 27 veterans; these veterans joined 8 other veterans and first responders for a weekend that took them on a guided snowmobile tour of the National Park, snowmobiling time on their own in the National Forest, group dinners, free time, and most importantly, time to talk with fellow Sheep Dogs about their experiences, struggles and successes. By giving them an opportunity to #GetOffTheCouch, the camaraderie and connection with peers...
Sheep Dogs Tour Yellowstone for Camaraderie, Winter Fun
The beauty of Yellowstone National Park and Forest are spectacular in the summer, and as Sheep Dog Impact Assistance’s (SDIA) group of 43 veterans, first responders and family members discovered on the January 23-27 Yellowstone Outdoor Adventure, winter in this vast wilderness is just as stunning when riding a snowmobile.
This was the first Outdoor Adventure SDIA conducted in partnership with the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Vet Centers across the nation. Through this partnership, the VA and Vet Centers identified and recommended to SDIA 27 veterans; these veterans joined 8 other veterans and first responders for a weekend that took them on a guided snowmobile tour of the National Park, snowmobiling time on their own in the National Forest, group dinners, free time, and most importantly, time to talk with fellow Sheep Dogs about their experiences, struggles and achievements. By giving them an opportunity to #GetOffTheCouch, the camaraderie and connection with peers that is so vital to having a positive attitude, perspective and renewed sense of purpose is restored....
The Heroes Gala is Almost Here!
We are so excited for this year's Heroes Gala and hope you are, too!
The Heroes Gala is an amazing evening where to honor our nation's heroes and celebrate all SDIA has accomplished in the previous year - and in 2018 we were able to engage, assist and empower more of our veterans and first responders to #GetOffTheCouch than ever before.
Our Guest Speaker will be USMC Cpl Nick Perales, one of our first two Sheep Dogs sponsored for an outdoor adventure. After his injury, he took to sitting on the couch, playing video games, gained weight, and lost his purpose in life. Participating in SDIA's first outdoor adventure reignited in him a desire to #GetOffTheCouch and make a difference. You won't want to miss hearing his inspirational story.
Cpl Perales will be joined by Guests of Honor Debbie...
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. ...
Veterans Coming Home: Cibeles Ramirez Rodriguez
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance - Central Arkansas member Cibeles Ramirez Rodriguez recently told AETN how #SDIA helped her #GetOffTheCouch and positively impacted her and her son's lives. Do you know someone who needs to find a purpose? Join us at www.SheepDogIA.org!
SDIA Sending 2nd Disaster Response Team for Hurricane Michael Recovery Operations
During our first deployment to northwestern Florida for Hurricane Michael recovery efforts, we accomplished a lot of great work. Even though we're not seeing the devastation as much in the media, there is still an enormous amount of work to do. To that end, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) will send a second deployment of Disaster Response (DR) Teams to northwestern Florida from November 12-19. DR Volunteers from across the country will join in the tree & debris removal, covering leaking roofs, and other recovery efforts. But we won't be successful without YOUR support. #GetOffTheCouch with us! If you are willing and able to deploy for up to 4 work days anytime during this period, review the linked info (https://bit.ly/2EUPGHb) and contact JDixon@SheepDogIA.org. (If you are not currently an SDIA Member/Volunteer, please sign up prior to volunteering for this DR mission at www.SheepDogIA.org/membership.) #Donate to become part of our DR team! With this deployment, SDIA is again asking for gift...
How You Can Help Carolina Flood Victims
ConnectingVets.com story by Phil Briggs (9/20/18, 12:45pm)
Sergeant Major Lance Nutt had barely finished his retirement ceremony last Thursday, when he packed his bags, loaded up trailers and headed to Wilmington, NC, along with members of the organization he founded, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA).
“Just getting into areas like Lumberton and Wilmington, NC was next to impossible because the roads were either completely flooded, or washed out,” he says.
SDIA’s Initial Response Team members are no strangers to disaster relief. The veteran-staffed relief organization was on site to assist residents after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas one year ago. Now, as a tent city comes together in a Home Depot parking lot in North Carolina, they have 60-100 veterans who break into teams to perform chainsaw work and delivery of food and supplies.
“Home Depot and Operation BBQ Relief have been great. They’ve partnered with us and are making it possible for us to get the supplies and deliver meals. We’re currently packing over 300 meals for delivery today,” says Nutt.
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Read more: “How You Can Help Carolina Flood Victims”
Suicide is the Reason SDIA Empowers Sheep Dogs to #GetOffTheCouch
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Many of us know or know of someone who has committed suicide. We also know that people of all ages, beliefs, professions, ethnic backgrounds and financial situations choose to end their lives. A widely publicized number of suicides for the veteran population is 22 per day, and it is estimated that the number of suicides in our first responder communities could be double that. How can we curb this surge of lives lost? How can we help those that are hurting so deeply? How can we get these brave men and women who are willing to die for us to talk about “it”? At Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), we have seen that it starts with getting Sheep Dogs off the proverbial “couch” – that dark, desolate place that so many get stuck in – and around fellow Sheep Dogs who have suffered similar traumas & experiences. Being among their military and first responder brothers and sisters brings...