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Grant Recipient SPOTLIGHT: Operation Canyon Rising

Operation Canyon Rising is an expedition for disabled veterans to hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim as motivation to aid in their rehabilitation and provide them with a monumental goal that, once achieved, gives them incentive to lead a fulfilling life.

Starting from the North rim is symbolic of how life was before their injury or illness. Then by hiking down the floor of the canyon, the depths of the realization of the permanent realities of the new disability and the monumental recovery ahead are reached. Finally, climbing out of the canyon on the South rim gives the analogy of “RISING UP” to meet their life-long challenge, learning to overcome limitations and gaining hope for both the veteran and others they are closely associated with.

Tee It Up for the Troops sponsorship of this expedition helped six individuals make this rim to rim journey including two below the knee amputees, one above the knee amputee, one arm amputee, one Gold Star widow and one Gold Star sister.

Founder Steve Connolly, Lt. Col. (Ret) USAF Reserves, had this to say: “This was probably the most impactful expedition I have done so far! I cannot thank you enough, yet again, for your support. The combination of the disabled veterans with the Gold Star family members was unbelievable. As we got to the bottom of the canyon and they opened up about their lows in life, each member of the team found a way to connect with others on the team. They formed beautiful bonds and really helped to heal each other. Many were suicidal and in talking with each other, they saw different points of views, common grounds of hurt and reasons to go on in life. Our motto of RISE UP on September 11th was taken to heart and they all left this journey with a purpose in life and a path forward. I just want you to know that you truly made a difference in their lives, and in sponsoring this expedition, you showed them that people out there really do care about them and that means a lot!”

On September 11, 2018, as the group hiked out of the canyon, their motto of “RISE UP” to face life’s challenges was taken to heart as they all left this journey with a purpose in life and a path forward… just as our country did after the terrorist attacks 17 years ago on that same date.

If you would like to read the bios of these brave participants or learn more about Operation Canyon Rising, click here.

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Event SPOTLIGHT: Rochester Minnesota

The Tee It Up for the Troops Rochester, Minnesota event is one of many Tee It Up for the Troops golf tournaments held across the nation each year. In terms of money raised to support our mission, this event is the second largest golf tournament in Minnesota and ranks in the top 10 nation-wide. Over the past 11 years, this event held at Willow Creek Golf Course, has raised more than $550,000 for veterans and military service organizations and has established itself as one of the strongest charity golf events that brings together the Rochester Minnesota and surrounding community it serves.

On August 23, 2018, 180 golfers including 36 military members, filled the Willow Creek Golf Course to honor, remember, respect and support all who serve(d) in the Armed Forces for this great nation. The opening ceremony kicked off the event paying tribute to seven World War II veterans as well as two Medal of Honor recipients who have now visited the event for two consecutive years. Four local Gold Star families were also honored during the ceremony that paid tribute to their sons who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“There is huge support for our troops and the Rochester tournament,” said event chairman Lynn Clarey. “We usually have a waiting list of golfers and sponsors who want to be a part of this event. What is really exciting about this annual event is seeing the local military impact from the money raised.”

In addition to making a difference for Veterans across the United States, this tournament also made a different to Minnesota veterans with a generous donation to the Believet Canine Service Partners Organization in Northfield, Minnesota. Believet provides highly trained service dogs, free of charge, to disabled veterans, helping them to lead a more productive, independent life. Tee It Up for the Troops-Rochester’s donation will feed eight dogs in training through Believet Canine Service Partners to be service dogs for disabled veterans for one year!

This event also proudly donated to many other local veteran support organizations including:Operation Hometown Gratitude, Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch’s Operation Welcome Home,   Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Salvation Army for Homeless Veterans, Seasons  Hospice Veterans Fund, andBells for Eternity.

Thank you Tee It Up for the Troops-Rochester organizers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for your support of the Tee It Up for the Troops mission to honor, remember, respect and support all those who serve(d) in the Armed Forces of the United States and for helping our heroes!

Photo to left: US troops stationed in Afghanistan were grateful to receive care packages from students at Rochester High School in partnership with Operation Hometown Gratitude. A grant from the Tee It Up for the Troops – Rochester Minnesota event was used to pay for the postage costs to ship the packages.

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Pledge your support to Chris and the “100 Holes of Golf” Marathon to support Tee It Up for the Troops!

Fellow Patriot,

Chris Fearn, Assistant Golf Pro Dataw Island Club, will be “stepping up to the tee” to golf “100 Holes of Golf” to support all those who serve(d) in the Armed Forces and needs your support! Chris’ goal is to raise $50,000 in support of the mission of Tee It Up for the Troops and his Heroes. In addition to supporting all those who serve with your tax-deductible donation, you will be entered into cumulative prize drawings based on your donation amount! Prizes are listed below or can be found via the following links:

Learn more and make your on-line donation via the following link: 

CLICK HERE to learn more and to mail in your donation.

Chris’s story:

Five years ago, when Chris began helping to run the Veteran’s Day event to support disabled Veterans, he was very moved by the disabled veterans that were their guests. Chris said, “the positive outlook that they have on life was so encouraging. Spending time with each one of them really motivated me and made me look at life in a different way. I knew then, that I wanted to do more to help.”

Chris Fearn, Assistant Golf Pro

When Chris came up with the idea of doing a golf marathon he had no idea the impact it was going to have, or how many individuals it would touch and help. The impact is what motivates him to continue to do a golf marathon every year which Chris says “is easy compared to the sacrifice of all those who serve(d). This is the least I can do for them!” When Chris gets tired while playing “100 Holes of Golf” he looks at the picture of his uncle who was killed in the Vietnam War, the picture of Dave Bagby a friend and disabled Veteran who passed away, or he just looks around at the disabled veterans that come out to support him and that is all the motivation he needs to keep going.

Chris will be “stepping up to the tee” at Dataw Island Club in St. Helena Island, South Carolina to play “100 Holes of Golf” in support of his Heroes and all those who serve(d)! All donations made to the “100 Holes of Golf” Marathon will go to Tee It Up for the Troops whose mission is to honor, remember, respect and support all those who serve(d) in the Armed Forces for our great nation.

 

PRIZE PACKAGES:

  • 9 Hole Club – Minimum $25 donation Your name entered into a drawing for your choice of a Men’s ¼ Zip or Women’s Full Zip jacket.
  • 18 Hole Club – Minimum $50 donation Your name entered into a drawing for a PING stand golf bag. This super lightweight bag has seven pockets for storage.
  • 36 Hole Club – Minimum $100 donation Your name entered into a drawing for a Stay and Play package at Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL.
  • 54 Hole Club – Minimum $250 donation Your name entered into a drawing for a Stay and Play package at the Hammock Beach Resort, along Florida’s Palm Coast.
  • 72 Hole Club – Minimum $500 donation Your name entered into a drawing for your choice from two Stay and Play packages at the beautiful Crystal Springs Resort, located in the rolling farmland of New Jersey.
  • 90 Hole Club – Minimum $750 donation Your name entered into a drawing for a 4 day – 3-night golf package for 4 to beautiful Dataw Island, South Carolina.
  • 100 Hole Club – Minimum $1000 donation Your name entered into a drawing for the Tee It Up for the Troops 8th annual REUNION event, held at the Reunion Resort, Kissimee FL, Jan 10-13, 2019.
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Donation to On Course Foundation Keeps on Giving

In January of 2017, on behalf of our generous sponsors and supporters, Tee It Up for the Troops donated $10,000 to the On Course Foundation. On Course Foundation is a veteran support organization that assists with the recovery of wounded, injured and ill Service personnel and veterans through golf. Their mission “….is to build confidence and self-belief in our Members [Service personnel and veterans] through golf skills and employment events, and set them on the path to meaningful employment opportunities in the golf industry.”

So why golf you might ask? The benefits of playing golf offers a key part in mental and physical recovery, improving both balance and limb coordination. Camaraderie, competitive spirit and concentration are important too, supporting the psychological recovery Service personnel and veterans, helping them find confidence within themselves.

Working together, we are using the game of golf as a vehicle for successful recovery, achieving a positive outcome not only on the golf course, but ultimately through work experience and eventually meaningful employment in the golf industry.

One of the beneficiaries of this donation was Ronnie Hurst, a medically discharged Army Veteran. He was having a hard time acclimating back into civilian life. Ronnie attended some of On Course Foundation’s events in Washington State and learned about various golf employment opportunities. On Course Foundation set him up with Chamber’s Bay golf course as a Player Assistant where Ronnie gained knowledge and experience in the golf industry and began his transition into civilian life.

Tee It Up for the Troops is happy to support Ronnie’s journey and we wish him all the best in his bright future! Thank you to the On Course Foundation for all you have done and continue to do for our military personnel!

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Tee It Up for the Troops Rochester MN event hosts two Medal of Honor Recipients

Rochester, Minnesota- The 11th annual Tee It Up for the Troops event held at the Willow Creek Golf Course in Rochester, MN was honored to host two very special guests at their event this year. Those guests of honor were Kenneth Stumpf and James McCloughan, both of whom are Medal of Honor recipients!

The Medal of Honor is the nations highest medal awarded to a member of the armed forces for their extreme valor in combat.  This medal can only be awarded by the President of the United States. The very first medal of honor was given out in 1861 to a Sailor named, Jacob Parrot, for his role in the American civil war for his role in the Great locomotive chase.

Kenneth Stumpf, United States Army, was awarded the medal of honor for his valiant actions in Vietnam.  His platoon came under fire after approaching a village armed with a Vietnamese rifle group. He saved three men wounded in the first attack and lead his platoon’s attacks on the enemy’s bunkers. For the relentless spirit of aggressiveness, intrepidity, and ultimate concern for the lives of his men he deservingly was awarded the medal of honor.

James McCloughan, United States Army, was awarded the medal of honor this year by President Trump, for his valiant actions in Vietnam.  James was an Army medic who saved the lives of 10 men during a 2-day battle in Nui Yong Hill.  He refused an order to evacuate and instead stayed to continue lifesaving efforts.  He would receive two purple hearts for the wounds he received during that battle.

The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,400 recipients, of which only 72 are still here with us today. It was a great honor for all of those in attendance to have the chance to meet them, shake their hands and thank them for their great service to this country!

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Thanks to support from Tee It Up for the Troops, Project Sanctuary is able to provide new growth that will impact military families both now and for generations to come.

The Road to Independence (submitted by Project Sanctuary).

Not an hour goes by for Jim* without reliving the horrors of that day. One moment he was on a fairly typical mission in Iraq. The next he lay trying to clear the dust from his eyes and inventory the full extent of his injuries.

The months that followed seemed like a series of snapshots —each one building upon the last to ensure Jim’s survival. Doctors had prepared him that his odds for walking again were slim to none. His wife, Shannon, and their three young children remained by his side through it all.

After three surgeries, recovery became Jim’s new mission and perhaps the most grueling of all, with hours upon hours of therapy, trying to make his body move as it had before. Post-traumatic stress and a traumatic brain injury induced nightmares, flashbacks and migraines.

Jim often found it ironic that the virtues of freedom and independence for which he had fought in Iraq became the same virtues he was now fighting for within himself.

The stress of recovery, on top of lives interrupted by combat deployments, began to take its toll on Jim, Shannon and their children. A friend of Shannon’s told her about Project Sanctuary and recommended that she submit a family application. Jim wasn’t so sure.

Like Jim, many service members are apprehensive about what to expect at Project Sanctuary. Trust doesn’t come easily with combat veterans. In the end, though, they all seek change, overcoming apprehensions with the hope of starting anew.

At Project Sanctuary, we alleviate those apprehensions, creating a place where every member of the family can truly thrive. In this environment, relationships are renewed, memories are made, and tools are provided for empowerment. And with at least two years of follow-up support post retreat, families have a partnership they can depend on, even when times get tough.

“We were on a hike, surrounded by warriors with a variety of injuries, even amputations. I think being with them gave Jim the confidence to put himself out there. You could just see from that moment on that he refused to let either his physical limitations or his PTSD define him.”From the moment Jim, Shannon and their three children arrived at their retreat, they felt welcomed, accommodated and safe. By day two, retreat administrator Neil recalls that Jim truly began to let his guard down.

Jim took part in zip lining and rock climbing, and even left his cane lying next to a log during one of the activities, walking on his own.

“There was a point about halfway through the week when Jim said he wasn’t ready for the retreat to end,” recalls Shannon. “He was looking forward to seeing and talking to people each day.”

At Project Sanctuary, Jim and his family gained the courage to try new things, make new connections and trust once again — changes that will allow them to reach new heights together. Thanks to support from Tee It Up for the Troops, Project Sanctuary is able to activate that change, providing new growth that will impact families both now and for generations to come.

Jim now knows that he’ll one day be able to walk his little girls down the aisle. 1,900 families just like Jim’s are currently on our wait list after taking the first step — reaching out for help. Through generous, ongoing support from Tee It Up for the Troops, you assure them they are heard and they are honored.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the family.

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Proceeds from Kentwool USA Collection sales to be donated to Tee It Up for the Troops!

Join Kentwool and Tee It Up for the Troops in celebrating our Independence by supporting the Veterans who made it possible!

20% of the proceeds from the KENTWOOL USA Collection sales through 7/31/17 will be donated to Tee It Up for the Troops!

Family owned and operated since 1843, KENTWOOL has become universally regarded as the World’s Best Golf Sock. In terms of comfort and performance, no other sock compares. KENTWOOL socks are worn by dozens of PGA and LPGA Tour professionals, including Kevin Kisner, Ryan Moore, David Toms, Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin, Ryan Palmer and many other pros. Additionally over 100 Professional Tour caddies trust Kentwool socks to perform over a long and grueling season.

KENTWOOL socks are the only golf socks that carry a Lifetime Blister-Free Guarantee. And like all of Kentwool’s products, they are manufactured in Pickens, South Carolina in the U.S.A.

In addition to the World’s Best Golf Sock, KENTWOOL has also created innovative, high tech garments for use by the United States military.