mlt, Author at Tee It Up for the Troops

August 11, 2015

Tee It Up for the Troops Donates EZ GO Golf Cart to Walter Reed Medical Center

Through a generous partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles, Tee It Up for the Troops recently donated a street ready six passenger EZ GO golf cart for the Adaptive Sports and Recreation program at the Military Advance Training Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda.

The golf cart will allow the rehabilitation staff to meet increased demands for transport of returning service members with disabilities to the various athletic facilities located on base for treatment.

Disabled service members will also have increased access to base resources which will provide for additional opportunities for independent exploration of adaptive sports and recreation, stimulating patient mental and physical capabilities in hopes that they utilize their experiences when transitioning back into their communities.

COL Matthew St Laurent, Chief, Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation expressed his appreciation of this donation stating, “As usual, TEE IT UP FOR THE TROOPS has provided us with remarkable support and we cannot thank you enough on behalf of our staff and patients, their families, and our rehab mission …Thank you for your ongoing support of our Warrior Rehab mission.”

August 5, 2015

Tee It Up for the Troops® selects first Operation HeartFirst™ recipients.

Tee It Up for the Troops, a national non-profit organization, has selected the first recipients of a grant designed to help military veterans open their own gyms and provide additional employment opportunities for fellow veterans.

Hannah and Tristan Ambrozewski, both of whom served in Iraq, will use a $125,000 grant and an additional $125,000 loan as start-up capital to open an Anytime Fitness gym near Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. The Ambrozewski’s, who signed a franchise agreement at the Anytime Fitness corporate headquarters in Hastings, MN this morning (August 5^th), hope to open their gym in early 2016.

“We’re incredibly excited to help veterans and non-veteran alike in our community learn how to lead healthier lifestyles,” said Hannah Ambrozewski, who served as an intelligence analyst with the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2012.

“We also love the idea of being able to provide jobs to other military veterans,” said Tristan Ambrozewski, who likewise served as an intelligence analyst in the Army, and now performs similar duties as a Department of Defense (DOD) contractor.

Anytime Fitness’ Heartfirst Charitable Foundation provided a grant to Tee It Up for the Troops, which then selected the Ambrozewski’s as recipients from a pool of dozens of outstanding candidates.

“Operation Heartfirst™ is our way of saying thank you to all of the fine service men and women who’ve made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” said Dave Mortensen, President of Anytime Fitness, LLC. “We couldn’t be happier with the selection of the Ambrozewski’s as the first recipients. They each have a long history of advocating physical fitness and serving not only their countries, but others in their community as well.

SELECTION CRITERIA

“We were looking for candidates with distinguished records of military service, who are eager to help others lead healthier lifestyles and who continue to serve and support the U.S. military and its veterans,” said Tim Wegscheid, President of Tee It Up for the Troops. “We also looked for candidates with a passion for fitness and community engagement. The Ambrozewski’s fit that description exactly.”

Anytime Fitness, LLC has agreed to waive its initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty payments related to this opportunity.

“The unemployment rate for military veterans is significantly higher than the national average,” said Chuck Runyon, CEO of Anytime Fitness, LLC. “That’s just not right. Our hope is that Operation Heartfirst™ will not only help veterans operate their own businesses, but also provide jobs for other vets as club managers and personal trainers – for many years to come.”

Congrats Hannah and Tristan!

August 5, 2015

Tee It Up for the Troops® selects first Operation HeartFirst™ recipients.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Anytime Fitness, LLC has agreed to waive its initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty payments related to this opportunity.

Congrats Hannah and Tristan!

August 5, 2015

Tee It Up for the Troops® selects first Operation HeartFirst™ recipients.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Anytime Fitness, LLC has agreed to waive its initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty payments related to this opportunity.

Congrats Hannah and Tristan!

June 5, 2015

Veterans Heritage Project thanks Tee It Up for the Troops – Pinnacle Peak Country Club

Veterans Heritage Project thanks Tee It Up for the Troops – Pinnacle Peak Country Club [sponsors] for their support of our “Since You Asked” after-school program.

Your support helped 275 middle and high school students interview 210 Arizona veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Afghanistan and Iraq. The students wrote & published the oral histories in the 11th volume of our hardbound book, Since You Asked, for preservation in the military archives at the Library of Congress.

Your support helped youth to develop patriotism, civic-mindedness, and respect for service, and helped the veterans to feel appreciated, knowing that their service and sacrifice is respected enough to be documented, preserved and celebrated.

April 24, 2015

Donate Golf Clubs for Tee It Up for the Troops!

Do you have unwanted golf clubs packed in the corner of your garage? Tee It Up for the Troops has partnered with 2nd Swing so you can donate those golf clubs and benefit Tee It Up for the Troops!

The process is simple. All you have to do is ship your used and unused golf equipment to 2nd Swing. 2nd Swing will assess the value of your donation. That value will then be donated to Tee It Up for the Troops and a donation receipt will be sent within 3-4 weeks of receiving donation.

Donating equipment is another way to help support Tee It Up for the Troops. By converting your unwanted golf equipment into a cash donation to Tee It Up for the Troops, you will help grow and benefit our organization and the veterans we support!

Click here for more details.

March 11, 2015

Anytime Fitness partners with Tee It Up for the Troops to assist veterans.

Anytime Fitness partners with Tee It Up for the Troops to assist veterans.

Operation Heartfirst™ will help military vets own and operate their own franchised gyms.

Anytime Fitness is partnering with Tee It Up for the Troops, a national non-profit organization, in a first-of-its-kind effort to help military veterans open their own gyms and provide additional employment opportunities for fellow veterans. Dubbed “Operation Heartfirst™,” Tee It Up For the Troops will offer a $125,000 grant and a $125,000 loan to a select number of honorably discharged veterans for the purpose of assisting with initial start-up capital to be used for the development of an Anytime Fitness franchise. Anytime Fitness’ Heartfirst Charitable Foundation™ will provide a grant to Tee It Up for the Troops, which will then offer this opportunity to approved veterans, National Guard members, or reservists, as well as oversee the selection process and management of logistics.

“Operation Heartfirst™ is our way of saying thank you to all of the fine service men and women who’ve made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” said Dave Mortensen, President of Anytime Fitness, LLC. “Currently, about 10% of our franchisees are military veterans. We’d like to see that number grow even higher. Veterans are some of our best and most successful club operators.”

APPLICATIONS

Tee It Up for the Troops is no longer accepting applications.

The review of current applicants is now underway. The winning applicant will be announced in June.

“We are looking for candidates who are eager to help others lead healthier lifestyles and who continue to serve and support the U.S. military and its veterans,” said Tim Wegscheid, President of Tee It Up for the Troops. “This first opportunity involves an Anytime Fitness gym to be located in Fayetteville, NC, near Fort Bragg. The selected franchisee will determine the precise location of the gym.”

Anytime Fitness, LLC has also agreed to waive its initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty payments related to this opportunity. Consideration will be given by the selection committee to veterans with service-related disabilities.

The first Operation Heartfirst recipient will be selected by June 1^st with a club opening date expected by the end of 2015.

OTHER RECENT ANYTIME FITNESS NEWS: http://anytimefitness.com/press

About Anytime Fitness

Ranked #2 on Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500® list, Anytime Fitness is the fastest-growing gym franchise in the world, with nearly 3,000 gyms serving more than 2,000,000 members on five continents. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness prides itself on providing its members with convenient fitness options and friendly, personal service in well-maintained facilities which feature top-quality exercise equipment. Gyms are now open in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland, Grand Cayman, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, Qatar, India, Chile, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines. All franchised gyms are individually owned and operated. Join one gym and use them all. Members also enjoy free access to AnytimeHealth.com, the most comprehensive wellness website available.

About Tee It Up for the Troops

Tee It Up for the Troops, Inc, is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves U.S. military veterans and their families. Based in Minnesota, Tee it Up for the Troops inspires communities across the country to organize golf events to raise funds for partnering veterans service organizations who deliver critically needed services to military families. These locally-supported events greatly assist returning service members to successfully reintegrate into their communities. Established in 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted over 300 events in more than 30 states and has donated over $5 million to more than 200 various organizations serving veterans across the country. In addition, through their REUNION initiative, Tee It Up for the Troops has reunited more than 125 combat altered veterans who were separated due to battlefield injuries or changes in rehabilitation status. Through these reunions, participating veterans enhance their transition process into productive and fulfilling civilian lifestyles.

Media Contacts:

Mark Daly, National Media Director for Anytime Fitness: mark.daly@anytimefitness.com

Tim Wegscheid, President of Tee It Up for the Troops: tim@teeitupforthetroops.org

February 27, 2015

Pinnacle Peak Country Club Hosts 5th Annual Tee It Up for the Troops Event

Pinnacle Peak Country Club hosted the 5^th Annual Tee It Up for the Troops event on February 25^th to pay tribute and to raise funds to support all present and past members of America’s armed forces and their families. Our Members displayed unwavering support for Tee It Up for the Troops as golfers took to the links to raise money for those who have been wounded in battle and to show their appreciation for the troops.

Each foursome was accompanied by a wounded warrior or active duty military service member. Our golf event combined with an inspirational ceremony and gala dinner are steeped in tradition at Pinnacle Peak Country Club instilling a sense of pride, honor, respect and appreciation for those who have protected our liberties and the freedoms we all cherish.

This year with your support we donated $73,541.93 to Tee It Up for the Troops. This is an amazing feat! The total amount that Pinnacle Peak Country Club has raised for Tee It Up for the Troops in five years is $256,168.45. We are awed by the dedication of our Membership. Our commitment to support those who protect us delivers a heartfelt sense of fulfillment. Together we made a difference in their lives by standing together to help veterans transition, grow, thrive and live!

February 12, 2015

4th Annual Reunion Outreach

Tee It Up for the Troops proudly hosted its 4th annual “REUNION” outreach initiative in January at Reunion Resort in Orlando. This event, which has continued to grow every year, combines beautiful surroundings with a wonderful group of people gathered together to support a critical cause.

This year’s event featured:

34 invited warriors
17 warriors invited by key partners
16 other veterans
21 supportive caregivers
One 99 year old World War II veteran
One 93 year old World War II veteran
One original member of the world renowned recording group, the Commodores – Thomas McClary (below)

The concept of this unique Reunion program is to reunite wounded, ill or injured service members who had been separated due to battlefield injuries, changes in rehabilitation status, or for other reasons beyond their control. The objective is that through these reunions, participating veterans can dramatically enhance their reintegration process into productive and fulfilling civilian lifestyles.

Hosted in a secure and supportive environment, and staged around the rehabilitative aspects of the game of golf, participants at Reunion can not only reconnect with those who are most trusted, but also develop new relationships and support networks to help them “heal, transition, grow, and thrive.” Throughout Reunion, these combat altered warriors enjoy therapeutic time on the golf course and also participate in a variety of helpful sessions to support a healthy lifestyle.

Reunion Resort offered the perfect setting to reunite this diverse group of warriors from all across the country. Together, they were able to discuss and identify some important areas of care, and also address those areas that are still unmet.

We also hosted productive breakout sessions with all attending caregivers which provided valuable insight into many of the key challenges that they face on a daily basis. Many ideas were shared on various ways to bond, strengthen themselves and their warriors, and support each other as this group continues to fight a very different kind of battle.

In addition, key partners including Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, Disabled Sports USA/Warfighter Sports, Hope for the Warriors, and Troops First also reunited for productive dialogue on how we can more effectively assist each other to better serve our respective missions.

Many additional sponsors and private parties also came together as a family to enjoy one of this country’s finest freedoms – the incredible game of golf!

All of these various groups joined together at this Reunion event to support our military families and our Tee It Up for the Troops mission. A survey conducted following the event provided some valuable insight into the effectiveness of the Reunion concept:

Respondents reported a 31% reduction in their level of stress after attending Reunion
Respondents reported a 25% increase in their feelings of “hopefulness” after attending Reunion
Respondents reported a 41% increase in “feeling connected” after attending Reunion

Needless to say, we were very pleased to see those encouraging results! Below you will also find some direct warrior quotes that help remind us of the many fun activities and positive results from this Reunion week.

We look forward to reuniting with many of you again next year and sharing the Reunion experience with many newcomers!

Quotes:

“… it was really great to see the camaraderie, some relationships formed and others strengthened, and healing happening in front of you. It is clear that once again this event will make a difference in the lives of those who attended, their families and others in their lives.”

“I don’t think words could ever express how much this year and last year affected my life and my marriage. I believe lives and marriages (were) changed this weekend.”

“I departed with a profound sense of comfort that Tee It Up for the Troops is one of the best organizations supporting military veterans that I have been associated with in my over 30 years of service and working for veterans causes.”

“Dealing with my team leaders death had me thinking suicide. Going to (this) event saved my life. I cannot say thank you enough.”

“I want to personally thank you for your love and commitment to veterans. The fact that (my son and his battle buddy) were included and able to reunite made me cry with joy.”

“Reunion 2015 was an amazing experience… I was witness to the great impact it had on all who attended. Re-connecting with friends and family is very important and a major help in recovery.”

“It was a honor for us to attend! Thank you and to all of the people involved that made this possible. Dad talks about it every day.”

“This event feels like a first class family reunion. I cherish the ability to see all the familiar faces and to meet wonderful new ones. Tee It Up genuinely cares and it shows big time.”

December 4, 2014

Making a Difference to Veterans Kids at Camp Soaring Eagle

The following article provided by Camp Soaring Eagle in Cornville, Arizona is one of the many organizations Tee It Up for the Troops works with to help and support disabled veteran’s families. We recently made a donation and received this great article for the folks at Camp Soaring Eagle.

When Aaron gripped the end of the arrow and drew back the bow no one could have suspected that it was his first time at an archery course. But for Aaron, who has autism, the Bull’s-Eye he shot propelled him beyond his disorder and amazed the counselors and his friends. Aaron and his parents were participating in the inaugural camping weekend for Arizona’s Veteran’s kids, November 7 -9th at Camp Soaring Eagle in Cornville that was sponsored in large part by Tee It Up For The Troops.

The Bull’s Eye was just one of many “firsts” for Aaron that weekend. He caught his first fish and volunteered to sing Wings of an Eagle on stage during the talent show. His father, an airman stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, AZ said, “This has been a great experience for my son. Heck, I didn’t even know he liked fishing! We are so grateful to those who made this camping experience possible for our son and for all the other military dependent children here this weekend. There are no other resources like this available that I know of for military kids.”

Thanks to the financial contribution from Tee It Up for the Troops, twenty-six children whose parents serve in the Army, Air Force, and the National Guard/ Reserve came together for a fun-filled weekend with other kids facing the same issues unique to military dependent children. During the camping weekend, these kids found solace in the realization that they weren’t alone in their struggles and that there are other kids who understand what they are going through.

Recent studies by Child Trends, a nonprofit research center, found that while children are resilient having a parent go to war can take a steep and potentially long-lasting toll during their critical early years when the brain is growing rapidly and children are developing a sense of trust in the world. Children who have a soldier parent often endure multiple deployments, extended separations and often tense and awkward reunions when that parent returns to the home. This creates much of the same anxiety, depression, aggression and withdrawal that adults experience, particularly when a parent has been physically or mentally traumatized.

A first-of-its-kind nationwide assessment, Study on Children of Seriously Wounded Service Members, reveals that while over 400 organizations exist to provide support and resources to seriously wounded service members and their families, the research reveals current offerings are limited and almost nonexistent in directly supporting children.

Camp Soaring Eagle’s founder Max James served honorably as an Air Force rescue helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. It was his desire to create a FREE camp for children in Arizona who have serious illnesses. Max soon recognized that children of military families often suffer pain and wounds, although invisible, that are very much as serious as physical illness. For that reason he added a camping weekend to the year-round schedule dedicated to serving the children of Arizona’s service members.

“We are honored”, Max James said, “to be supported by the Tee It Up For The Troops organization that helped fund this important camping weekend for the kids of military personnel stationed in Arizona. This inaugural weekend saw healthy veteran’s kids as well as dependent children who suffer from AIDS, asthma, autism, and blood disorders.” Max James emotionally added, “Our military families sacrifice so much for the good of our country, whether it’s the deployed troops, the spouses who hold down the fort at home or the innocent children simply trying to cope with an absent parent. The generosity of Tee It Up For The Troops is essential for us to continue to offer this kind of camping experience and we are eternally grateful to them.” For more information and ways that you can help Camp Soaring Eagle continue their mission, go to www.campsoaringeagle.org.