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Archive for the ‘Charity’ Category

Simms Honors Veterans with Special Edition Wader Warriors And Quiet Waters Wader To Raise Funds For Combat Veterans

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

SIMMS Veteran

BOZEMAN, Mont. (Nov 11, 2015) – This Veterans Day, Simms is honoring those that have served our country like only it knows how—with the creation of a special edition Made-in-the-USA fishing wader.

For a limited time only, Simms is offering a special edition G3 Guide Stockingfoot to benefit the Bozeman-based Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation (WQW). WQW helps reintegrate traumatically combat-wounded U.S. veterans and active service members from recent wars into society by building hope and resilience, facilitating camaraderie, and providing security and serenity through fly fishing and other high quality therapeutic recreational mediums in southwest Montana.

The G3 Guide Stockingfoot – Warriors & Quiet Waters wader is the company’s first foray into a custom wader, made possible by utilizing the country’s last remaining wader manufacturing facility. The new special edition G3 Guide wader features 5-layer and 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell fabric, Multicam camo pocket, belt loops and top hem, WQW custom patch, and all of the same features found in the award-winning G3 Guide Stockingfoot.

“We have been partnering with Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation since their launch in 2007. The benefits are extraordinary for everyone involved,” says Diane Bristol, Simms’ Sr. Director, Employee & Community Engagement and Warriors and Quiet Waters Board Member. “Each time the warriors come to Simms, we are honored and humbled to be able to play a small part in their recovery.”

Simms has been supporting Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, hosting each of the organization’s week-long Fishing Experience (FX) trips to Montana during the fishing season. Each warrior is outfitted with a selection of Simms gear and is given a tour of Simms’ wader manufacturing facility.

“To witness the power of fly fishing on these true American heroes is breathtaking,” says K.C. Walsh, Simms President. “We hope the fishing community will embrace this special product offering because its story is much more important than just staying warm and dry.”

The special edition wader will remain on sale until all inventories are gone. In total, the offering is attempting to raise $100,000 for the organization. Anglers can see the wader at www.simmsfishing.com or at select special retailers across the U.S. For a complete list of retailers, visit www.simmsfishing.com/wqw.

“When a company like Simms came to us with this idea, we were so excited about the national outreach potential,” says Faye Nelson, Executive Director, Warriors and Quiet Waters. “Knowing that each wader purchase will go directly towards helping more warriors make positive change in their lives is very special.”

Operation Hawkeye – Team 31 Auction

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

TEAM31NSSFPoster

This is a reminder for the ongoing Operation Hawkeye Team 31 Auction currently being hosted on Gunbroker.com. Goods, services, and memorabilia have been donated for the auction, from various companies in the tactical and shooting sports industries. All proceeds from the auction will go to benefit the causes and loved ones of the US Special Forces and Military personnel lost in the Extortion 17 crash in 2011.

You can check out this Facebook post to see all the items currently up for auction.

www.ophawkeye.com/team-31-countdown

Grey Ghost Precision Will Be At The 2015 Green Beret ProAm

Monday, November 9th, 2015

Grey Ghost Green Beret Pro Am Shoot

37 PSR Gun Club based in Bunnlevel, NC will be hosting the 2015 Green Beret ProAm, taking place November 11th, this Veterans Day. Grey Ghost Precision will be in attendance, and have also provided a pair of Specter Light 5.56 rifles for the match. Skydivers will jump in the flag at 11:30am and the event is expected to last until 5:00pm. They will be auctioning knives, guns, tactical gear, drawing raffles, and door prizes. Hooters will be providing food. You can find more information here: greenberetproam.org.

Bomb Suit Ride Across America

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

The Bomb Suit Ride Across America is a fundraiser event for the benefit of the EOD Warrior Foundation. Retired Virginia State Police Bomb Technician, Bobby Klepper will be traveling across the United States on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, wearing a bomb suit the entire way. The event kicked off yesterday at GSS Gear in Virginia Beach, and is scheduled to continue for 15 days through the month of November.

On Sunday November 1st, retired Virginia State Police Bomb Technician, Bobby Klepper, will climb on his Harley Davidson motorcycle in Virginia Beach, VA and take off on the journey of a lifetime, traveling across the United States to San Diego, all while wearing a bomb suit. Bobby is a 34-year veteran with the state police and has over 30 years in the EOD community, and is no stranger to adversity and intense challenges, yet wearing a bomb suit while riding a motorcycle cross-country could be his biggest challenge yet.

This “Ride Across America” is a fundraiser benefiting the EOD Warrior Foundation, a 501c3 organization that serves the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Community by providing assistance to active-duty wounded, injured or ill warriors, wounded veterans and their families, and families of fallen warriors. The organization also maintains the EOD Memorial Wall in honor of fallen EOD warriors. The Foundation believes the EOD family is for life and is committed to providing the necessary assistance and ongoing support to military families stationed around the world.

When asked why he would take on such an incredible feat, Klepper said, “I am doing this fundraiser to show respect and to help my EOD brothers and sisters. I will be riding a motorcycle in a bomb suit, across the U.S., to raise awareness and funds for this worthy organization and to draw attention to the dangerous job that EOD technicians do every day.

Due to the incredibly strenuous task of not only riding a motorcycle cross-country, but doing so in a bomb suit, the journey will require numerous stops and will take approximately 15 days. Bobby and his team will make time to stop at the EOD Memorial Wall at Eglin Air Force Base in FL, to conduct a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 314 military EOD warriors whose have died while carrying out an EOD mission since WWII.

The final leg of this trip will take him from Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA where he will be met by EOD families, law enforcement officials and friends for a party at Strategic Operations. When asked what she thought of Bobby’s Ride, Nicole Motsek, Executive Director for the EOD Warrior Foundation said, “What Bobby is setting out to do is an incredible feat, and will be extremely challenging. We are so grateful to Bobby and his team for their commitment to help raise awareness for those that perform the most dangerous job in the military.” The ride is scheduled to conclude at a public ceremony in San Diego on Sunday, November 15th.

Detailed schedule of events:

– 24 OCT – Pre-Event: Tidewater Tactical (2022 Pleasure House Rd, Virginia Beach, VA)
– 01 NOV – iFLY BREAKFAST EVENT (2412 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach, VA)
– 01 NOV – GSS Gear Send-off party (2037 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA)
– 01 NOV – Ashland, VA: Richmond Harley Davidson
– 04 NOV – Nashville, TN: Boswell Harley Davidson
– 05 NOV – Redstone, AL: FBI Hazardous Devices School
– 06 NOV – Eglin AFB, FL: EOD Memorial Wall (Range Rd. Niceville, FL)
– 07 NOV – Shreveport, LA: VETERANS FOR VETERANS – (3232 E 70th St, Shreveport)
– 11 NOV – Albuquerque, NM: Thunderbird Harley Davidson VETERANS DAY
– 13 NOV – Scottsdale, AZ: Harley Davidson of Scottsdale
– 15 NOV – San Diego, CA: Strategic Operations (4705 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA)

www.eodwarriorfoundation.org

GLOCK Hosts Young Marines At Headquarters – Donates $50,000

Tuesday, October 27th, 2015

Glock - Young Marines

Young Marines with Director Lt. Col. Mike Kessler USMC (Ret) on left, accept check from GLOCK Vice President, Josh Dorsey

SMYRNA, Ga. – Oct. 26, 2015 GLOCK, Inc., donated $50,000 to the Young Marines at the GLOCK Professional headquarters in Smyrna on Friday. Nearly 30 Young Marines aged 11 to 18 from local Georgia chapters participated in the event.

GLOCK Vice President, Josh Dorsey addressed the Young Marines during the opening ceremony. “The Young Marines is an organization focused on developing character in the young men and women of our Nation,” said Dorsey. “The things that you learn here will serve you well, serve our corps well, and ultimately our Nation well. Ideals such as integrity, commitment, and honor are easy to talk about, but difficult to personify. You have to believe that you can make a difference.” Dorsey spent 20 years as a United States Marine.

Accepting the check for the Young Marines, was outgoing director, Lt. Col. Mike Kessler USMC (Ret). Kessler has been with the Young Marines for 16 years and was accompanied by Bill Davis, who will be taking over as the new Director as Kessler moves into a consulting role.

“We are forever grateful to GLOCK for their continued support of the Young Marines and for their sponsorship of our National Leadership Academy,” said Kessler. “GLOCK continues to be a strong partner in our goal to strengthen the lives of America’s youth.”

After the presentation, the Young Marines were given a GLOCK safety briefing and an exclusive range day. The safety briefing focused on the Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety, proper grip techniques, and what to do if they ever found a firearm. During range time, the Young Marines and their parents received small group instruction from GLOCK Professional instructors.

To learn more about GLOCK corporate social responsibility and other news, visit us.glock.com/news.

John Came Home On Indiegogo

Sunday, October 25th, 2015

John Came Home is a movie currently up for funding on Indiegogo by independent production company Robin Hood Pictures. The plot involves a 15-year MARSOC Veteran who returns to his home town in Georgia, who then begins to pursue the man who sexually assaulted his daughter, after he escapes police custody following a successful conviction. 50% of the proceeds from the project will go to benefit the Raider Project, a non-rofit organization with the goal of connecting with MARSOC and Reconnissance Veterans and helping them transition to the private sector.

www.indiegogo.com/projects/john-came-home

Combat Flip Flops Raises Awareness For Veteran Suicide With #22ADAYCHALLENGE

Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

Combat Flip Flops Raises Awareness for Veteran Suicide with #22ADAYCHALLENGE

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide everyday. For the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country, one is too many, let alone twenty-two. In an effort to elevate the social conversation around veteran suicide, while also de-stigmatizing PTSD, and reframing the benefits of yoga and meditation, Combat Flip Flops and nearly 20 other veteran and non-veteran owned businesses are joining MalaforVets’ #22adaychallenge.

MalaforVets was established in 2012 by Air Force veteran, Defense Information School instructor, and combat correspondent Chris Eder. Chris began practicing yoga in 1999 and started teaching in 2007. Through yoga, Chris found enormous benefits to his mental, spiritual, and physical capabilities and has made it his mission to share these experiences with other veterans. He teaches several yoga classes each week and offers free classes to vets using the Mindful Yoga Therapy principals.

The goal of the #22adaychallenge is to raise awareness and funds for Save A Warrior and Mindful Yoga Therapy. Participants are encouraged to post an image on Instagram of them doing the daily pose with the #22adaychallenge hashtag. Each day, a random person participating will be selected to win a prize from one of the veteran-owned sponsors. The campaign will run Nov. 1-22, 2015.

“Post military, I had a hard time staying in shape because I wasn’t being paid to work out every day,” said Matthew ‘Griff’ Griffin, former Ranger and CEO/Co-Founder of Combat Flip Flops. “After a motorcycle accident, I was introduced to yoga as a non-impact, balanced form of recovery. It has since been a core part of my workout program because it travels well, provides mental breaks, and a stellar workout. When Chris contacted Combat Flip Flops regarding participation in the #22aDayChallenge, we thought it would be a great way to bring together the local community, introduce veterans to yoga, and create bonds through communal suffering.”

During the challenge, Combat Flip Flops will be sponsoring daily free yoga classes for veterans with veteran-owned, Uphill Running in Issaquah, WA. Non-veterans and family members are welcome to participate with a donation to Save A Warrior Foundation, Mindful Yoga Therapy Foundation, or The Station Foundation.

Additional yoga studios across the country participating include:

  • Whole Yoga , Odenton, MD. FREE yoga for Vets Nov. 8-14. Whole Yoga will also be hosting 2 donation yoga for vet classes on November 1st and November 15th.
  • The Studio Cooperative , Waldorf, MD. FREE yoga for veterans on XX. The Studio Cooperative will also be collecting donations for Save A Warrior and Mindful Yoga Therapy from Nov. 1-22.
  • The Mind and Body Studio, Brielle, NJ. 30 days of FREE yoga for veterans during the month of November. The Mind and Body Studio will also be hosting 4 donation classes during the challenge.
  • Inner State Yoga, St. Petersburg, Florida. FREE yoga for veterans Nov 1-22.
  • Current veteran-owned sponsors include Combat Flip Flops, Nine Line Apparel, Malaforvets, Free Meditation Bench, Buddhist Boot Camp, Webers Wood Creation, 22 Veterans Apparel, Blooming Lotus, Heather’s Treasures, Knot Geek, Cordium Clothing, Yoga Joes, The Sox Box, Fractal 9, and Yoga Warrior Renew. Additional sponsors include Brogamat, Yoga for Men, Bhujang Style, and Kira Grace. Be on the lookout for daily prizes from these brands.

    For more information, please visit www.malaforvets.org/22adaychallenge, follow on Instagram at instagram.com/malaforvets, or email Chris Eder at malaforvets@gmail.com.

    Grunt Style / Blackbeard Corporation – Baghdad City Tours T-Shirt

    Sunday, October 18th, 2015

    Blackbeard - Grunt Style Baghdad City Tours

    Veteran-owned tactical gear supplier Blackbeard Corporation has once again partnered up with Grunt Style to produce another limited edition shirt, the Baghdad City Tours shirt. The shirt is 100% cotton in ‘Military Green’, with the Baghdad City Tours design printed on the front, with the US flag on the right sleeve and the Grunt Style logo on the left arm.

    The Baghdad City Tours shirt comes in sizes SM – 3XL. The shirt is only available for sale through 10/29.

    100% of the proceeds from this shirt will go into the startup of ‘Liberty Wood Works’, a charitable organization which will be building, custom wood burning/engraving, and donating personalized red oak storage chests to Veterans. The chests will have their name, rank, MOS/Rate, awards, units, tours, etc. (based on DD214) burnt or engraved on the exterior.

    www.gruntstyle.com/baghdad-city-tours