Donation Recipients

Mission – To improve the quality of life for individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities by providing specialized disabled golf and life skills programs to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being; to assist in the development and implementation of rehabilitative and therapeutic golf based programs in conjunction with any civic or government organization, hospital, medical center, facility, community or support group.

About - Participants learn to use their abilities to improve themselves both on the golf course and in their everyday lives. Taught by the United States Disabled Golf Academy, Our Certified Disabled Golf Instructors teach golf as a rehabilitative tool along with important life skills inherently attached with the game.

Mission – The Air Force Association educates the public about the critical role of aerospace power in the defense of our nation; advocates aerospace power and a strong national defense; and supports the United States Air Force, the Air Force family, and aerospace education.

Mission – Not only honor our veterans (past and present) but also their families and friends and all those wanting to show support for our troops.

Mission – AUSA represents every American Soldier by: Being the voice for all components of America’s Army, fostering public support of the Army’s role in national security, and providing professional education and information programs.

Mission - Prepare to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver quality health services, and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research.

Mission – B.I.T.S. (Back In The Saddle) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for combat injured men and women serving or having served in the Armed Services, their immediate families and families of deceased servicemen and women by providing physical, and psychological health and overall well-being by utilizing equine facilitated therapy. They not only provide therapy, but create performance venues for our participants to showcase their achievements.  This helps them build a new life and allows the public to honor their brave service.

About – Back in the Saddle started in 2005 to assist military personnel who had suffered injuries and mental challenges during service learn and excel at horsemanship and horseback riding while improving their strength, motor skills, cognitive abilities and self-esteem.

About - Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a comprehensive program that creates awareness for the purpose of connecting Service members and their families with community support, training, services and resources. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon also creates awareness through the Yellow Ribbon Community Campaign and synchronizing sustainable community support networks.

About – The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political organization. They do not support any political candidate, nor do they endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does this organization. They are mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military. They are a non-profit 501 (c) 3 veterans service organization supporting our military children while promoting patriotism.

About - The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting Minnesota servicemen and women returning from deployments around the world. The Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation was established to support soldiers adjusting to life with the physical and psychological wounds of war. Our current mission is focused on those with Minnesota connections.

Mission - Building better lives for all our nation’s disabled veterans and their families.

Mission - Disabled Sport USA’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.

About – Disabled Sports USA is a national nonprofit established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve the war injured. DS/USA now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events. Participants include those with visual impairments, amputations, spinal cord injury, dwarfism, multiple sclerosis, head injury, cerebral palsy, and other neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions.

About - Family Service Rochester was founded in 1965 as a nonprofit organization with a staff of three and the mission to support and enhance the dignity and quality of life for individuals and families in our community. In 1990, Sunrise Youth and Family Counseling joined with Family Counseling and Home Services to form Family Service Rochester. For the past 15 years, Family Service Rochester has sharpened its focus to working with families with serious child welfare and/or family violence concerns. Major service expansions have been in the areas of child maltreatment, child welfare, children’s mental health, domestic violence and providing our services to ethnically diverse populations in our community.

Mission – Honor the Fallen, Support those who Fight, and Serve their Families through programs, events, and outreach. We are a national organization of Gold and Blue Star families—including many with loved ones in harm’s way—as well as veterans and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their mission to keep America safe. Together, we ensure that the sacrifices of our courageous military do not go unnoticed and that these men and women and their families receive the support they need and deserve.

About - Fisher House Foundation donates “comfort homes,” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times – during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment.  No family pays to stay at any Fisher House.

Mission - Empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities.

About - Fore our Soldiers is an organization dedicated to supporting our American soldiers serving our country around the world by collecting, through donation, fund drives and other events, food and snacks, items such as toiletries and clothing, and just about anything you can think of. They also donate sporting goods, especially golf clubs and balls, which these brave soldiers serving our country have come to enjoy so much. Their goal is to reach as many of these brave men and women with as great a variety of items as possible.

About – Friends & Family of Hometown Heroes was formed in 2003 with the beginning of the Iraq War. The group was organized by Barb Simonis and Brenda Berg. The idea was to show support for all troops that had local connections to the Jackson County area. They may have grown up here, reside here now or have a relative here. We had many fundraisers through the years including selling patriotic pins, concert, quilt raffle, food arrives, penny wars at local schools and most recently the last two years with Tee it up for the Troops.

The monies raised are used to send monthly care packages to our troops.  We will continue to send care packages as long as we have soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan or any other war zone.

About - In May 2005 Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois opened its Home for Veterans. This is a ten-bedroom facility that provides an intensive holistic program that assesses the individual and customizes services to directly meet their needs. Goodwill uses its expertise in working one-on-one with individuals to achieve life changes; research shows that lack of stable housing presents a significant challenge in obtaining gainful employment and eliminating the barriers and issues that are at the root of homelessness. As an extension to its mission, Goodwill’s Home for Veterans is considered permanent, supportive housing and is the only facility of its kind in the state of Illinois. Goodwill provides and coordinates all services including treatment for post-traumatic stress syndrome, substance abuse, stress, anxiety and psychological counseling, budgeting, clothing, legal assistance, food, telephones, transportation, entitlement benefits, medical care, job training, education and job placement services.

Mission – The Green Beret Foundation provides unconventional resources to facilitate the special needs of our wounded, and provide unique support to the Special Forces community in order to strengthen readiness and uphold Green Beret traditions and values.

About - Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and funded by donations and grants. Heartland Museum is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historical military equipment of all types. The museum has about 100 vehicles including helicopters, tanks, halftracks, ambulances, and a jeep from every branch of the service plus displays of weapons, uniforms, engines, equipment, and more.

Mission – Transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.

About - Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. Now, with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.

Mission - To enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty.

About - Hope for the Warriors actively seeks to ensure that the sacrifices of wounded and fallen warriors and their families are never forgotten nor their needs unmet. To accomplish their mission, they have designed special programs that allow and encourage community involvement as well as raise money.   For more information go to www.hopeforthewarriors.org.

About - The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a leader in supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Begun in 2000 under the auspices of the Intrepid Museum Foundation and established as an independent not-for-profit organization in 2003, the Fund has provided close to $120 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans. These efforts are funded entirely with donations from the public, and hundreds of thousands of individuals have contributed to the Fund. From 2000 to 2005 the Fund provided close to $20 million to families of United States and British military personnel lost in performance of their duty, mostly in service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Fund provided unrestricted grants to each spouse and dependent child; and to parents of unmarried service members. The payments were coordinated with the casualty offices of the Armed Forces, to ensure all eligible families received these benefits. In 2005 federal legislation substantially increased the benefits granted to these families. With that mission accomplished, the Fund redirected its support toward the severely injured.

In January 2007, the Fund completed construction of the Center for the Intrepid, a $55 million world-class state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Center serves military personnel who have been catastrophically disabled in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and veterans severely injured in other operations and in the normal performance of their duties. The 60,000 square foot Center provides ample space and facilities for the rehabilitation needs of the patients and their caregivers. It includes modern physical rehabilitation equipment and extensive indoor and outdoor facilities. Following the opening of the Center for the Intrepid, the Fund turned toward another critical issue faced by our wounded troops: the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  The Fund addressed this need by constructing the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). NICoE is a 72,000 square foot, two-story facility located on the Navy campus at Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, with close access to the Uniformed Services University, the National Institutes of Health, and the Veterans Health Administration. NICoE will provide the most advanced services for advanced diagnostics, initial treatment plan and family education, introduction to therapeutic modalities, referral and reintegration support for military personnel and veterans with TBI and post-traumatic stress.

About – Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is a Christian Camp in southern Minnesota.  Their purpose is to provide an opportunity for adults and children to get to know themselves, others, and God better.  They strive to do this through their lives, words and activities by conducting themselves in a manner pleasing to God.  Ironwood Springs started Operation Welcome Home, a faith-based weekend to provide encouragement, hope, and inspiration to veterans and their spouses.  Their retreat is cost free for the couples.  All funding is provided by donations. The retreat is for OIF/OEF veterans and their spouses.  It is a time to reconnect through sessions on parenting, communication, dealing with anger successfully, healthy conflict resolution, finances, faith, and making marriage work. Activities include: horseback riding, quilting, wagon rides, campfires, team challenge course, and more.

Tee it up for the Troops has donated funds to outreach programs through Luke Air Force Base.

Mission - Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen and former Marines and FMF Corpsmen and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

Mission – The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families.  For more information go to www.purplehearts.org.

Mission - To provide assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crises.

Mission - To grant continuing support and address the needs of our Minnesota veterans’ families throughout the deployment and reintegration process. To promote awareness that military families need continuing support for extended periods of time after the homecoming.

Mission - The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes.

About - NEADS (Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans), of Princeton, MA, is a non-profit organization, organized under section 501c (3) of the IRS code. NEADS was established in 1976 to train and provide independence to people who are deaf or physically disabled through the use of canine assistance. These assistance dogs become an extension of their owners and bring security, freedom, independence and relief from social isolation to their human partners.

Mission - Enable four Warriors wounded in the Global War on Terrorism to overcome devastating combat injuries and successfully summit 20,320 ft Denali, the highest mountain in North America, symbolizing the strength of our Nation and those who defend it.

Objectives - To raise awareness for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to work together to overcome our physical limitations and achieve a common goal made to seem Insurmountable by the impact of our injuries on our lives, and to demonstrate by performance and example that no obstacle is so great that the human spirit cannot overcome it.

About – Operation Give a Hug Provides military children a way to give a Hug to their deployed parents until they can do it for real. They have supplied over 255, 000 “Huggee Miss You” dolls to children of deployed parents where they can place their parents picture in the face of the doll. The dolls are also being used by pediatric psychologists and school counselors to help children cope with deployment.

About – Operation Hometown Gratitude is a district-wide effort started by students of the public high schools in Rochester, Minnesota, to support local troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They collect and send care packages to troops stationed overseas.

About - Paws for Purple Hearts is the first program of its kind to offer therapeutic intervention for our military servicemen and women through training service dogs. Under the guidance of Rick Yount, founder of Paws for Purple Hearts, service dog training provides service members the ability to reintegrate into civilian life. Once training is complete, the service dogs are paired with veterans who have sustained mobility-limiting injuries–thus building on the time-honored tradition of veterans helping veterans.

Mission - To enrich the lives of people with disabilities by providing them with exceptionally skilled assistance dogs; to utilize the power of the human-canine bond as a therapeutic, educational, healing tool.

About – Puppies Behind Bars trains inmates to raise puppies to become service dogs for the disabled and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. After 9/11 the need for explosive detection canines went through the roof so Puppies Behind Bars is helping fill that demand. Not only are the dogs used for explosive detection canines, but they also are trained service dogs for soldiers wounded overseas.

About - Rebuilding Together is the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable home ownership and revitalize communities. Our network of more than 200 affiliates provides free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income Americans. Rebuilding Together believes in a safe and healthy home for every person. This means that we believe disabled and aging homeowners should be able to remain in their homes for as long as possible. We believe that homeowners displaced by natural disaster will get back into safe housing with help from the community. We believe that our nation’s veterans with disabilities deserve safe and accessible homes. Rebuilding Together believes we can preserve affordable home ownership and revitalize communities by providing free home modifications and repairs, making homes safer, more accessible, and more energy efficient.

About – Twice each year the members of the Rochester Elks Lodge visit the Veterans Hospital in Hastings and take donated items to distribute to the Vets. They have pledged to support our troops and especially National Guard Company B from Rochester.

Mission – To provide rehabilitative golf experiences for combat-wounded veterans in an effort to improve the quality of life for these American heroes. The SMGA believes that the rehabilitative benefits of golf can improve the mental and physical condition of each and every soldier returning from combat.

Mission – The mission of Seasons Hospice is to provide individualized, comprehensive and compassionate care, education and support for the dying, their loved ones and others who have experienced loss.

Mission – The mission of Second Genesis is to empower individuals and families with the tools to break the cycle of addiction.  Second Genesis is a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation program with residential treatment centers in Maryland and Washington DC.  Tee it up for the Troops contributions will go to create a fitness and entertainment center for the homeless veterans at our Crownsville facility.

About - Serving Our Troops was formed by a group of community and business leaders with a common interest in supporting those who put themselves in harm’s way so that we may enjoy all that is great about our Country. Since 2004, the Serving Our Troops team has been sending a special message for our soldiers and families in the form of a 12 ounce steak from home.  Cooked by our team for soldiers and families at home and overseas, Serving Our troops projects bring families together via live international video for a simple message – dinner with the family.   Our goals are threefold – to provide a delicious meal to soldiers and families, to send a message of support from communities, and to promote awareness of Minnesota’s unprecedented military service.

About - The purpose of Serving the 32nd is to bring individual citizens, Wisconsin communities and corporations together to show our heartfelt appreciation to the 32nd IBCT and their families for their continued sacrifices to defend our country. The main event was “Tailgating with the Troops”, which provided a Wisconsin themed family day on Sunday, October 18, 2009, for our soldiers in Iraq to share with their families back home.  It was planned around a Packers home football game. In addition to the soldiers and families of the 32nd IBCT, the event also included the families of other units soldiers who are also deployed. The event was teleconferenced so the soldiers and families enjoyed the “tailgating party” and game together. They also help facilitate and fund Red Arrow in the Sand, a historical book of the soldier’s journey through this deployment.  This is a project the 32nd IBCT initiated and they are providing the documentation and photographs. They are assisting in the publication and distribution of the book.  Serving the 32^nd’s goal is to provide each soldier a complimentary copy of this book as a thank you gift from Wisconsin. Any surplus funds, upon completion of this project, will be given to support the soldiers of Wisconsin’s Army National Guard and their families.

Mission - To provide custom-made adaptive clothing, free of charge, to all returning OIF/OEF injured service members from all branches of the military and National Guard. We want to aide in their recovery, provide a tangible reminder of our gratitude for their sacrifice and give them an added measure of comfort, dignity and freedom as they recover from their injuries and return to everyday life.  Adaptive clothing accommodates their medical devices and situations, provides ease of use, increases personal independence and minimizes the visual impact of their medical condition.

About - Tony Hebert was KIA in 2007 in Baghdad Iraq.  Tony was a caddie at The Jewel Golf Club and was captain of his High School Golf Team.  His parents, Bob and Laurie Hebert started the Tony Hebert Memorial Foundation to honor his name and The Jewel Golf Club (Lake City, MN) proudly presents the foundation with monies raised from the TIUFTT Event each year.

Mission - Tribute To The Troops is dedicated to those brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Our focus is to gratefully and graciously demonstrate to loved ones left behind that we, as ordinary Americans, will not forget their loss. It is in their memory and honor that we raise awareness and funds for the benefit and comfort of those who continue to serve. Through these efforts we convey our gratefulness and appreciation to all veterans who have served, whether in war, or in peace.

About - Tribute To The Troops was founded in 2004, inspired by a video featuring the song “Home” by country singer Rockie Lynne. The video features pictures of our fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms early on in the War on Terror. With inspiration from the video, a small group of concerned Minnesotans from the Twin Cities joined together to conduct the 1st Annual Tribute To The Troops® Ride in the fall of 2004. Over 60 people on 45 motorcycles visited the families of three of Minnesota’s fallen heroes, conveying their thanks to each family and letting them know that their loss, and the sacrifice made by their loved one, will never be forgotten. Since 2004, Tribute To The Troops Minnesota members have conducted an annual ride weekend each September, visiting dozens of families over the years that have lost a loved one in the War on Terror.

Mission – Troops First Foundation develops, operates and supports a synergistic group of wellness, quality of life and sports-based initiatives in support of today’s military personnel.

About - Veterans on the Lake Resort, a not-for-profit organization will provide a barrier-free setting for a memorable outdoor recreation experience for disabled veterans, veterans, their families, friends and supporters; designed “With Veterans in Mind” while recognizing what they have contributed to and sacrificed for our nation. They are a cooperator with the USDA Forest Service under the Superior National Forest. They issue permits into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Mission - To use the medium of Public, Education, Government cable access channels, other TV media, our contracted www and YouTube.com to share information/education via our monthly ½ hour series for Active, Reserve, Military Veterans and ALL organizations who care.

Mission - VICTRI assists veterans and their family members to start new businesses and initiatives, educate them on the essential knowledge and tools they need to succeed, support them to successfully build and execute their business plans, help them to grow their ideas and continue to be a resource for them to help sustain their on-going SUCCESS.

About - Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam Veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.  VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA Aggressively advocates on issues important to veterans, seeks full access to quality health care for veterans, Identifies the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service, holds government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veteran’s health care, creates a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans, seeks the fullest possible accounting of America’s POW/MIAs, supports the next generation of America’s war veterans, and serve our communities.

About – The Walter Reed Health Care System provides comprehensive health care for more than 150,000 soldiers, other service members, family members and retirees in the National Capital Area. Its hub is Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the clinical center of gravity of American military medicine.

The Walter Reed Health Care System (WRHCS) is an integrated health care delivery system offering military families, in and around Washington, D.C., access to quality, comprehensive medical care. WRHCS provides a full range of services for patients, from routine primary care to the most sophisticated, high-tech specialty care. It is patient-focused and dedicated to streamlining each patient’s passage to the appropriate level of care he or she needs. Each facility within the system is a valuable partner and brings its unique expertise to bear on health care delivery.

The Walter Reed Health Care System is also the Army’s leading center of clinical research and innovation, attracting annual research support for such efforts as prostate disease research, coronary artery disease reversal, comprehensive breast care, therapy of traumatic brain injury, amputee care and limb salvage, advanced diabetes management, technical advances in robotic surgery, nursing care delivery, evaluation of balance disorders, telemedicine, treatment of chronic viral hepatitis, and many other programs.

Mission - To honor and empower wounded warriors.

Purpose - To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, help injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. As they carry out the Wounded Warrior Project mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors, their innovative programs and outreach efforts continue to expand. To help wounded warriors, family members and the general public navigate their offerings, they have categorized their programming under four main focus areas – Mind, Body, Economic Empowerment, and Engagement. Under each of these headings, you will find a variety of programs to meet needs ranging from benefit assistance to PTSD identification.