40-40-40 ... Day 17: Returning Veterans Project

One of the things I love about this 40-40-40 project is learning about local organizations that my friends support. There are many well-known organizations that do great work around the globe, but the more well-known an organization is, the more likely they are to have large sources of funding. It's great when an organization can impact a ton of people, but it can at times overshadow those organizations that are grass roots, right here in our communities, doing just as good (or even better because they are able to focus their services) as those big names. 

I learned about one of those organizations when I asked my friends Shane and Buffy Rider about Wounded Warrior Project. Shane and I went to high school together, and he later met his wife while serving in the military. Shane served in the army from 1998-2004, and Buffy from 1999-2007. They were stationed in Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Buffy was also stationed in Hawaii (where my aunt was stationed years ago!). Shane spent time in Bosnia and both spent time in Iraq. Buffy was also part of a search and rescue team that took her to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Germany and Papua, New Guinea, in search of missing remains. 

After asking about Wounded Warrior Project, Shane and Buffy suggested I look into a smaller, local organization that Buffy had served on the board of for 3 years (only giving up her seat when they moved). The organization is Returning Veterans Project (RVP), and Buffy has personally raised over $20,000 for them. That not only shows commitment as a board member, but also that she truly believes in this organization that she has seen benefit so many people firsthand. 

According to their website, RVP's mission is "to provide free health and wellness services to post-9/11 war zone veterans, service members and their families in our Oregon and Southwest Washington communities." They use only licensed practitioners, and these licensed practitioners must agree to provide pro bono services. The services provided range from free confidential counseling to acupuncture to equine therapy, and help service members "return all the way home." (Isn't that beautiful imagery!)

I especially love RVP's "founding philosophy":

We believe it is OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY to offer support and healing for the short and long term repercussions of war zone service on veterans and their families.

Amen and Amen.

RVP was not only started to give veterans access to care, but also to provide medical professionals with an outlet to serve our vets. A win-win! RVP also offers art therapy, music therapy, and writing groups. They receive no government funding, but rely solely on individual donors like you and me. Thank you, Shane and Buffy, for introducing us to this incredible organization!

ACTION STEPS

THANK a service member.
PRAY for our military.
LINK your Fred Meyers (Kroger) card or your Amazon account to RVP and those businesses will donate to RVP (and you still get to keep your points!).
SALUTE a veteran, service member or military group to put their names on the RVP Wall of Honor. 
DONATE to the Returning Veterans Project.