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National Non-Profit, Founders First CDC, Opens Applications for the 2022 Stephen L Tadlock “Vetpreneurs” Grant to Veteran Small Business Owners

Sunday, September 25th, 2022

Founders First CDC to Award $25,000 to Veteran-Owned Small Business Owners Throughout the Country

Applications Are Being Accepted September 19 to October 18 and Recipients Will be Announced on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022

San Diego, CA, September 19, 2022 – Founders First CDC (Founders First), a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers expansion in diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses, is pleased to announce that applications are open for qualified individuals to apply to its 2022 Stephen L. Tadlock Fund – a grant program to support U.S. veteran small business owners. To be eligible, the company’s founder must be a U.S. military veteran, have an active U.S.-based business, and employ between 2 and 50 employees. Applications are being accepted now through October 18, with recipients being announced on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022.

Inspired by Founders First CEO Kim Folsom’s brother, U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen L. Tadlock, the purpose of the grant is to provide micro-investments to veterans who own and operate small businesses. The $25,000 grant will be awarded to 25 veteran recipients who will receive $1,000 each, which will help aid in their employer-based small businesses. Since launching, Founders First CDC has awarded more than $423,000 to minority and underserved business owners throughout the United States with a focus on Texas, Chicago, Southern California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“Given the current state of our economy, small business owners are feeling the brunt of the rising cost of living, inflation and the challenges to provide goods and services for their customers,” says Shaylon Scott, executive director, Founders First CDC. “As our founder, Kim Folsom has strong ties to the military through her brother’s service in the U.S. Navy, this particular grant is incredibly special to Founders First, as we’re able to help veteran business owners by investing in their businesses during uncertain economic times. Grants such as these, no matter how large or small of an investment, are a vital and impactful way to help sustain businesses and provide growth opportunities, and we are incredibly proud to support veterans throughout the country during this critical time.”

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau’s survey of small business owners, there are more than 2.5 million veteran majority-owned businesses in the U.S. that employ more than 5 million individuals. As a result, these businesses generate a revenue of more than $1.14 trillion, and account for an annual payroll of $195 billion.

“I’ve seen firsthand through my brother’s experience in the U.S. Navy and reentry into civilian life, that American veterans give back to our country each and every day, and following their service it’s critical that they receive support from family, friends and local communities to thrive in their careers following their service,” says Kim Folsom, Founder and CEO of Founders First. “As veteran owned businesses are critical contributors to the small business community, I’m proud extend this fund for the second year in a row to veteran business owners who need the extra boost of funding; as these funds help aid in creating premium wage jobs and drive economic growth in communities, which need it most during this critical, and uncertain economic time.”

The judging committee for the Stephen L. Tadlock Grant includes a panel of distinguished veterans, representing multiple branches of service.

“As a recipient of the 2021 Stephen L. Tadlock Grant, I can tell you first-hand that having this support is incredibly impactful for veteran business owners.,” says Tahjar Roamartinez, CEO and founder of Cyber Warfighter Group and 2021 Stephen L. Tadlock Grant recipient. “Founders First made myself and other veterans feel embraced, encouraged, equipped and empowered, and I encourage any veteran who is a small business owner to apply for this grant, as you will quickly learn that Founders First understands the value of what we’ve done at the highest level of our nation, and is ready to help equip us for the next chapter of our journey in corporate America.”

Qualified business owners may apply for the grant by October 18, at foundersfirstcdc.org/stephen-tadlock. Grant recipients will be announced on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022.

Posted in Charity, Press Release, Veterans | 1 Comment »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – FS Sponsors Hunting with Heroes Wyoming

Friday, September 23rd, 2022

Giving Back To America’s Disabled Veterans

FirstSpear is proud to support Hunting with Heroes Wyoming – HwH WY. This organization honors disabled veterans by facilitating unique hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

HwH WY provides a supportive and healing community where disabled veterans can grow and enjoy the camaraderie they once knew. They were founded by veterans, for veterans. As a non-profit and charitable organization, HwH WY works with Wyoming state agencies, landowners and local volunteers to offer big game hunts and fishing outings designed to fit the special needs of each disabled veteran. 2022 marks their 10-year anniversary which now sees an average 275 hunts per year.

If you would like to find out more or get involved, please visit huntingwithheroes.org.

Visit FirstSpear to find all the gear and apparel for America’s Warfighter.

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Big City Mountaineers Partners with MYSTERY RANCH and Outside Inc to Further Mission Through Outside’s Inaugural Find Your Good Campaign

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

GOLDEN, Colo. (September 12, 2022) – Big City Mountaineers (BCM), a leading provider of outdoor and backcountry experiences for youth for more than 30 years, is pleased to announce that the organization has partnered with MYSTERY RANCH and Outside Interactive Inc. to launch an inaugural Find Your Good fundraising campaign, with a donation match campaign in September.

The Campaign runs, September 12-22, with the culmination of the Backpacker Get Out more finale at Neptune Mountaineering on Sept. 22, 2022, Gear and Skills Clinic and Pint Night Celebration (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Benefitting Backcountry Squatters (CU Boulder Chapter) and Big City Mountaineers.

2022 marks the launch of Outside Interactive Inc’s Find Your Good campaign. The Find Your Good platform was created to connect people who love to spend time outside with like-minded nonprofits that are anchored in the outdoors. Find Your Good supports nonprofits in seven categories: hiking and camping, cycling, running, climbing, winter sports, healthy living, and sustainability.

“The Find Your Good initiative is an incredible tool to help connect people with nonprofits who have similar principles and values, rooted in the outdoors,” said David Taus, executive director, Big City Mountaineers. “Outside Interactive Inc’s dedication to supporting Big City Mountaineers and other organizations with similar values really catalyzes BCM’s goal of breaking down barriers to outdoor access for young people from disinvested communities.”

“I’m so thrilled to have Big City Mountaineers as a member of our first cohort of Find Your Good,” says Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and community partnerships at Outside Interactive Inc. “The work BCM does is so important and impactful, not only to the kids they serve but the outdoor community at large. We’re honored to support them and share their incredible work with our audience.”

To further bolster the 2022 Find Your Good campaign, BCM has also partnered with MYSTERY RANCH, makers of premium load-bearing equipment. MYSTERY RANCH has pledged to match every dollar donated to BCM on the Find Your Good Platform up to $5,000 from September 12-22.

“MYSTERY RANCH makes fantastic backpacks. I love their mission to minimize the burden on the wearer to enjoy the outdoors; it really is an apt metaphor for the work BCM does,” said Taus. “We are thrilled to have MYSTERY RANCH as a partner and look forward to working with them through the Find Your Good campaign.”

“The work that BCM has done over the years has been incredible,” said Michelle Fleming, product marketing manager, MYSTERY RANCH. “It strongly aligns with MYSTERY RANCH’s belief that the outdoors is a transformative place. Providing access to the outdoors for youth who lack equitable access to nature is so important. The support BCM receives from companies like Outside Interactive Inc. and MYSTERY RANCH is critical to their programming and we are so honored to be a part of Find your Good and this meaningful collaboration.”

To support BCM and double your impact through this generous matching campaign, please make your tax-deductible donation here: www.pledgereg.com/big-city-mountaineers

To learn more about Big City Mountaineers and the work they do to make the outdoors more

accessible to young people please visit the following website: www.bigcitymountaineers.org

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Services Charity Veterans With Dogs introduces Assistance Dog “Ferris” to the Defence Industry at DVD

Friday, September 9th, 2022

The services charity Veterans With Dogs is introducing their example assistance dog “Ferris” to the UK defence industry at the DVD 2022 Exhibition, taking place at Millbrook, 21/22 September. Ferris will be joined by his Army veteran owner, Bryan Maddams – himself a seasoned member of the defence industry having worked for General Dynamics, and Ultra Electronics on some major programmes such as Ajax, Warrior CSP and CR2 LEP. Bryan and Ferris are attending DVD to raise awareness of Veterans With Dogs across the industry with the aim of generating support and funds, through donations.

Veterans With Dogs is the UK’s leading organisation that trains and provides assistance dogs exclusively for current and former British Armed Forces service personnel diagnosed with a mental health condition, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – a prevalent condition in post-Afghanistan veterans. The charity uses a unique PALS (Partner Animals Life Skills) training programme which combines home support and residential courses, with annual assessments thereafter to maintain the fully accredited assistance dog status. The dogs that undergo this training are always ‘on shift’, providing the veteran with 24/7, 365 days of assistance. They not only change the lives of the veterans – in some cases, they save them too.

At the DVD event, Veterans With Dogs is being supported by the defence industry focussed PR company, Chamois. Chamois are providing PR support to the charity, free of charge. The Chamois team will be helping Bryan and Ferris achieve maximum exposure throughout the event using their media contacts and through a targeted social media campaign.

Bryan Maddams, a volunteer Fundraiser for Veterans With Dogs said: “Ferris and I are very much looking forward to attending DVD. We’ll be on the ground for both event days meeting as many people as possible with the aim of raising awareness of and support for our charity. I’m also looking forward to seeing many of my own industry contacts as we walk around together”.

Jamie Clarke, CEO at Chamois said: “I’m delighted to be helping Bryan, Ferris and Veterans With Dogs at DVD this year. As a veteran and a dog owner myself, I can associate with this charity and having spent time understanding more about what they do, I believe it’s a charity that deserves support from across our fantastic UK defence industry. The work we’re doing will hopefully assist in generating further support”.

Posted in Charity, Industry, International, K9, Press Release | Comments Off on Services Charity Veterans With Dogs introduces Assistance Dog “Ferris” to the Defence Industry at DVD

RISE Patriot Trigger Benefiting Folds of Honor

Wednesday, August 31st, 2022

There are more than 1 million disabled and fallen service members. Nearly 2 million military heroes’ dependents are negatively impacted by war. The cost to provide educational scholarships to those dependents is a whopping $9 billion, and 85% of the families don’t qualify for federal aid.

That’s where Folds of Honor comes in. They provide educational scholarships to the children and spouses of those who were killed or disabled while serving our great nation.

Our troops and their families have unselfishly sacrificed, so we can sleep safely each night and enjoy our sweet liberties each day. As Americans, we have to give back.

That’s why RISE Armament is partnering with Folds of Honor by designing and manufacturing special products that benefit the Folds of Honor foundation.

“To say we’re proud to help out and donate to Folds of Honor is an understatement,” says Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament. “Veterans’ families are often overlooked, which is really a shame. Our troops and their families have tremendous courage and have made so many sacrifices. It’s our duty as Americans, as patriots, to take care of them and honor what they’ve done for us all.”

Here are a few reasons RISE Armament is especially proud to team up with Folds of Honor:

• The scholarships Folds of Honor gives honor the sacrifices of those who have given so much to protect our freedom.
• Folds of Honor operates efficiently and respectfully, allowing the organization to donate 91% of every dollar raised to its scholarships.
• Folds of Honor is based in Oklahoma, but it has awarded scholarships in all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
• Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 35,000 educational scholarships.

To further benefit Folds of Honor, RISE Armament developed the Patriot High-Performance Trigger and is donating a portion of each Patriot Trigger’s purchase price to the Folds of Honor foundation. It’s an easy-to-install, accuracy-enhancing rifle upgrade that gives back to veterans and their families. Each trigger purchase helps fund educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen and disabled service members.

The Patriot Trigger has a crisp, clean release and ultra-short reset for faster follow-up shots and improved accuracy. It has a light, 3.5-pound pull and straight trigger blade.

A limited-edition item, the drop-in trigger group includes a Folds of Honor and RISE Armament commemorative challenge coin, along with free tools and anti-walk pins for fast and easy trigger installation.

risearmament.com/product/rise-armament-patriot-trigger

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SIG SAUER Raises Over $125,000 for Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) at Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Friday, August 26th, 2022

NEWINGTON, N.H., (August 26, 2022) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the 6th Annual SIG SAUER Charity Golf Tournament raised over $125,000 for Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA). The tournament held August 5, 2022 at Pease Golf Course in Newington, New Hampshire is an annual event hosted by SIG SAUER in support of the HAVA organization.

“Through the generosity of the tournament attendance, organizations, supporters, and industry partners, we were able to substantially increase this year’s fundraising efforts. In the 6 years since the incorporation of the event, the SIG organizing committee has increased the donation each year, starting with $7,000 in 2016 to this year’s record-setting $125,000. As a result of the committee’s tremendous effort, HAVA will be able to expand its important programming to support disabled veterans and active duty wounded with shooting events and hunting,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “For everyone at SIG SAUER, it’s an honor to support HAVA and contribute to continuing the services and programs that are making a difference in the lives of the men and women that fought to protect our freedoms.”

The event featured 3 disabled veterans playing at times with all foursomes throughout 27 holes of golf and was kicked off by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.

HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2007 by a group of executives from the hunting and shooting industry to help disabled veterans and injured active-duty military returning from war heal and reintegrate back into everyday life through participation in outdoor activities. HAVA sponsors guided hunts, shooting events, and outdoor activities across the country hosting hundreds of veterans annually.

SIG SAUER is a longstanding supporter and sustaining sponsor of HAVA. Annually, SIG SAUER participates in HAVA sponsored shooting and hunting events across the country benefiting hundreds of veterans, including the upcoming flagship San Antonio Police Department HAVA Family Day at the SAPD Training Facility on November 5, 2022.

To learn more about the HAVA organization visit honoredveterans.org.

View the event photo gallery: 2022 HAVA Golf Tournament

Get Social: follow SIG SAUER on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest news, product announcements, events, and updates.

Posted in Advertiser, Charity, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on SIG SAUER Raises Over $125,000 for Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) at Annual Charity Golf Tournament

FirstSpear Friday Focus: FS Donated to HAVA

Friday, August 26th, 2022

FirstSpear Sponsors Honored American Veterans Afield

FirstSpear is proud to support HAVA – Honored American Veterans Afield. HAVA is hosting 150 veterans 25-27 August, providing range time, meals and camaraderie.

As the number of injured men and women returning from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan grew, members of the firearms industry initiated a non-profit partnership called HAVA to aid disabled soldiers as they transition to their lives back in the United States. The ultimate goal is to increase their confidence and hope for the future by reconnecting with their love of the outdoors and the American traditions of hunting and firearms.

Visit honoredveterans.org to learn more about how the firearms community is supporting disabled veterans.

Visit FirstSpear to find all the gear and apparel for America’s Warfighter.

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Window World Awards American Humane With a $20,000 Pups4Patriots Grant

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, August 22, 2022 — American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices, today announced that Window World, America’s exterior remodeler with over 200 franchisees across the country, awarded them a $20,000 grant in support of its Pups4Patriots™ program. Pups4Patriots provides free, specially trained service dogs, including rescues, to veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury.

“Our Pups4Patriots program has saved countless lives by putting healing leashes into the hands of veterans in need across the country,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane President, and CEO. “Our mission wouldn’t be possible without the generous help of companies like Window World, whose charitable grant will help us continue the lifesaving work of gifting brave veterans with the best medicine – unconditional love and support from the new furry best friends they so richly deserve.”

Proceeds from the grant supported the pairing of U.S. military veteran Bobby with his new service dog, Kai. The pair were formally introduced as graduates of the program by American Humane at a Window World Family Reunion event in Phoenix early this month.

“Window World and its franchisees understand the importance of giving back. We’ve been blessed with our success and have always been proud to share with those in need. With this conviction in mind, Window World is committed to doing everything we can to remind veterans that they are appreciated and supported at home,” said Tammy Whitworth, CEO, and Chairman of Window World.

To date, American Humane has provided service dogs and training to more than 200 veterans across the country.

“We are truly grateful for Window World’s dedication to helping our veterans manage the invisible wounds of war,” Dr. Ganzert said. “With their benevolent grant, we have been able to help put a healing leash in the hands of another veteran who will go on to live their life to the fullest.”

Service dogs are an invaluable asset to veterans who have sustained trauma, but there are significant obstacles to receiving one. Properly training a dog to perform their needed tasks and remain calm and focused in public areas can be expensive and time-consuming. Even when the cost isn’t an obstacle, wait times can still be prohibitively long as veterans navigate red tape.

Through the Pups4Patriot program, American Humane provides service dogs to veterans at no charge to them in both a timely and efficient manner.

“My dog helps me feel more secure since I have somebody right there with me that will help me during the days,” Air Force veteran and recent Pups4Patriots graduate Karen said. “They’re a companion. I can go out and not stay in the house because I used to do that a lot.”

Jamie McBride, Window World Military Initiative Director, and Window World Board Member, stated, “As an American company with patriotic aims, we’re honored to serve our veteran and military communities through the Window World Military Initiative. By forming partnerships with organizations such as American Humane, we can provide lifesaving service dogs to veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress. This is just the beginning.”

The Pups4Patriots program is made possible through the generous support of donors. To learn more, and help fund more stories like these, visit www.AmericanHumane.org.

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