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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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Tee It Up for the Troops Selects Third Operation HeartFirst™ Recipient to Open Anytime Fitness Franchise!

Tee It Up for the Troops is proud to announce the third recipient of a financial grant designed to help military veterans open their own Anytime Fitness gyms and provide additional employment opportunities for fellow veterans.

This year’s selected recipient, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Hunt, retired as a United States Air Force Technical Sergeant in the Security Forces career field. Deployed six times during her 15 years of service, Liz said, “the gear never got lighter, the terrain never got easier to ruck through, and after listening to my squad talk about (and sometimes experiencing) back and knee pain, I realized the significance of not just keeping myself fit, but ensuring my squad was just as fit (if not more).” Thus began her dream of owning her own Anytime Fitness franchise!

Liz and her husband Corey, a 17 year Major in the Air Force, will use a $125,000 grant and a $125,000 loan as start-up capital to open an Anytime Fitness gym near Fort Rucker in Dothan, Alabama.

After learning that she had been selected, Liz pledged “I, on the core values the military raised me on, pledge to not only paint this town purple with Anytime Fitness’ motto, but to do right and remain humbled at organizations such as yours that never stop serving…that truly embrace the motto of carrying your brother/sister…”

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Lights … camera … action! Tee It Up for the Troops is excited to announce a new partnership that will bring our message and mission to cable TV!

Tee It Up for the Troops is excited to announce a new partnership with The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour, which is planned to debut on Pop TV in Fall, 2017. The show will feature segments to promote awareness of Tee It Up for the Troops’ mission and expand its impact for supporting all those who serve(d) and their families.

“We want to use TV entertainment to make a difference, and this partnership is a great way to do that,” said Stu Newmeyer, Executive Producer and cohost of the show. “We are planning to do location segments from military bases, USO shows, overseas uplink segments, annual telethons and many other special features to raise money for helping our veterans.”

As part of the partnership, The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour is donating more than $3 million of TV time to promote Tee It Up for the Troops. In addition, the show will promote Tee It Up for the Troops on its website and all of its social media channels.

New branding opportunities for sponsors

This partnership also offers a unique opportunity for organizations that support Tee It Up for the Troops. They can become part of an innovative new way to build their brand on television.

The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour is pioneering a new approach to commercial TV. It is TV without commercials. Instead of advertising breaks, the show will feature sponsored segments that are integrated into the program.

“Viewers will stay engaged with the sponsor’s message because it is integrated into the show’s entertainment,” Newmeyer said. “Product placements, product demos and brand messages take the form of songs, comedy sketches, parodies and other programming that doesn’t interrupt viewers with a commercial.”

Newmeyer believes integrated sponsor segments are the future of brand-building on TV. The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour is the first TV show of any kind to feature 100 percent sponsored content with no advertising.

Tee It Up for the Troops sponsors are invited to take advantage of this new opportunity. “We see this as a great opportunity for our sponsors,” said Tim Wegscheid, President of Tee It Up for the Troops. “Not only would they get national recognition for their support of our veterans, but they would also be taking advantage of an innovative new way to build their brand.”

TV Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities Fact Sheet.

Get more information on sponsored segments on The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour here.

 

About The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour

The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour is a classic variety show format updated for today. It is star-studded family entertainment designed to bring the generations together. It features music, comedy sketches, dancing, stand-up, games and giveaways that appeal to the Boomer and Millennial demographics. It is the first television show to integrate sponsored content into the programming to replace TV advertising. It is planned to air primetime Sundays on Pop TV this Fall.

About Tee It Up for the Troops

Tee It Up for the Troops 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 veteran service organizations who deliver critically needed services to military families.  These locally-supported events also greatly assist returning service members to successfully reintegrate into their communities.  Established in 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted over 360 events in more than 40 states and has donated over $7 million to more than 300 various organizations serving veterans across the country.

Contacts

John Gregory Olson, Sponsor Relations, The Stu and Laurie Variety Hour: john@jgodigital.com

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

Stu and Laurie Variety Hour Information Link: https://www.slideshare.net/johngolson/goodbye-tv-ads-hello-sponsored-content

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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.

 

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Tee It Up for the Troops raises money, shows appreciation for military personnel

STORY BY ROBYN PASSANTE, THE ISLAND PACKET

Capt. Denver Edick, who works on Parris Island, says his boss often complains that Edick works too much — which is probably why he was selected to play in the annual Tee It Up for the Troops event held Friday at Sea Pines Country Club on Hilton Head Island. And the Marine was more than happy to follow his command’s orders.

“It was phenomenal. Sure beat being in the office,” said Edick, who’s been an active duty Marine for 11 years. “It was a beautiful day, beautiful course, great people and a great event.”

Tee It Up for the Troops hosted 60 servicemen and women from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and U.S. Naval Hospital Beaufort for a day of golf and a bit of pampering to thank them for their service and raise money to support veterans and their families across the country.

“They’re serving our country and we’re proud to give them a nice day; it’s very rewarding for us,” said Ron Taylor, a club member and one of the event’s organizers.

The local tournament was one of 60 planned across the country this year, said Jodi Baer, director of operations for the national organization.

“Since 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted over 360 golf fundraising events and donated more than $7 million to veteran service organizations,” Baer said. “Through collective efforts, including over 25,000 hours of volunteer time dedicated to our events in 2016 alone, we are providing critically needed services to assist veterans and military families successfully reintegrate into their communities.”

Click here for the rest of the story!

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The Club Foundation Exceeds $100,000 in Support of Tee It Up for the Troops

Media Contacts: 
The Club Foundation – Melissa Low, melissa.low@cmaa.org
Tee It Up for the Troops – Tim Wegscheid, President/Executive Director for Tee It Up for the Troops, tim@teeitupforthetroops.org

Alexandria, VA – The Club Foundation is excited to announce that it has surpassed more than $100,000 in contributions to Tee It Up for the Troops, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves U.S. military veterans and their families. Since 2008, The Club Foundation has donated $108,200 to Tee It Up for the Troops, providing much-needed support to assist the organization in fulfilling its mission to help veterans and military families successfully reintegrate into their communities.The Club Foundation

The Club Foundation’s most recent contribution of $20,000 was presented to Tee It Up for the Troops at the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) 90th World Conference on Club Management and Club Business Expo in Orlando, FL, in February. The check was presented to Tim Wegscheid, Tee It Up for the Troops President and Executive Director; Matthew Terry, Navy veteran and Tee It Up for the Troops employee; and David Booth, a 20 year Army Master Sergeant (Ret.) and Purple Heart recipient, who served as a combat medic and was severely injured in September 2006 in Iraq. These men were acknowledged with a standing ovation from CMAA’s attendees for their service to their country.

Since 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops has hosted more than 360 golf fundraising events across the nation and has donated more than $7 million to various veteran service organizations. Their financial support is targeted across the most pressing areas of need including:  housing, sports rehabilitation, treatment of PTSD and TBI, service dogs and arts therapy, suicide prevention, emergency support, employment and caregiver support.

Tim Wegscheid, Tee It Up for the Troops President and Executive Director, shared: “We are thankful for The Club Foundation’s ongoing and generous support. It is vital to help military veterans and their families, and it is clearly helping to make a positive difference in their lives.”

About The Club Foundation
The Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established by CMAA in 1988. The Foundation seeks to fund the life cycle of a club manager’s career, providing financial support for five key areas: students, faculty, club managers, CMAA chapters and the club industry at large. It supports the advancement of club management professionals, funding industry education programs through scholarships and grants. Learn more at www.clubfoundation.org.

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Tee It Up for the Troops was selected as a benefactor from the Cities 97 Sampler – Vol 28!

THE 28TH ANNUAL CITIES 97 SAMPLER CD RAISED NEARLY $530,000 TO BENEFIT 97 LOCAL CHARITIES

CD Features 20 Top Artists Including O.A.R., X Ambassadors, Andra Day, Johnny Rzeznik, Ingrid Michaelson And Rachel Platten

Minneapolis, MN – April 20, 2017 – Cities 97, More Music, More Variety, recently raised nearly $530,000 through its 28th annual Cities 97 Sampler CD. For every CD sold, $1 was donated to the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, one of the largest children’s health
care organizations in the country, and the remaining proceeds benefited 97 local Minnesota charities.

The limited edition Cities 97 Sampler CD is the longest running music and performance compilation for charity in the country. This year, the CD featured performances recorded live in Cities 97’s Studio C by 20 artists including O.A.R., X Ambassadors, Andra Day, Johnny Rzeznik, Ingrid Michaelson and Rachel Platten. Cities 97’s on-air personalities encouraged listeners to buy the compilation and support important charities in the community. “The Cities 97 Sampler continues to make an impact,” said Jeff Tyler, President for iHeartMedia Western Great Lakes Region. “Our listeners love the music and they are proud to help a wide variety of nonprofits in our own community. We thank our sponsors, the artists and everyone who bought a CD.”

The CD was available for purchase at Target stores in the Twin Cities area and online. Sponsors of the project included Target, By the Yard, and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Over the past 28 years, Cities 97 Sampler CD helped raise over $12.5 million for hundreds of deserving charities.

The 97 local Minnesota organizations benefiting from this year’s fundraiser:
360 Communities, Ace In The City, Alexandra House, American Cancer Society, American Parkinson Disease Association, Animal Humane Society, Ann Bancroft Foundation, Art Buddies, Banyan Community, Bellis, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bridge For Youth, Bridging, Bundles Of Love Charity, Camp Kesem @ U of M, Camp Odayin, Can Do Canines, Canvas Health, Catalyst Learning Center, Children’s Hospitals & Clinics Of Minnesota, Community Involvement Programs, Cornerstone Advocacy Service, Darts, Diaper Bank Of Minnesota, Dress For Success, East Saint Paul YMCA, East Side Learning Center, Eastside Meals On Wheels, Elpis Enterprises, Family Means, Fostering Families, Free Arts Minnesota, Girls On The Run, Gracie’s Room, Guild Incorporated, Hallie Q Brown Community Center, Hammer Residences, Have A Nice Day Foundation, Hearts And Hands, Helping Hand Outreach, Homeward Bound, Iris, Jammy Peace, Junior League Of Minneapolis, Kids ‘N Kinship, Kipp Minnesota, Lil Mac Kids Autism Foundation, Loaves And Fishes, Midwest Animal Rescue & Services, Minneapolis College Of Art & Design, Minnesota Costumers For A Cause, Minnesota Literacy Council, Minnesota Military Family Foundation, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Northside Achievement Zone, Open Arms Of Minnesota, Operation Warm, Our Lady Of Peace, Park Nicollet Foundation, Pay It Forward Fund, Pedal And Roll For Parkinsons, People Serving People, Phoenix Alternatives, Pinky Swear Foundation, Prism, Project Diva, Project Get Outdoors, Reach Together, Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, Resource West, Rise, River Valley Riders, Ronald McDonald House, Secondhand Hounds, Sew Much Comfort, Simpson Housing Services, Somali Museum Of Minnesota, Southside Services, Special Olympics Minnesota, St. Stephen’s Human Services, STEP, Stride Academy Charter School, Summit Academy OIC, Tee It Up For The Troops, The Reading Center, The Sandwich Project, Trust, Inc., Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project, U Partner Dance, Urban Roots, Vineyard Community Services, We Can Ride, White Bear Emergency Food Shelf, Women Of Nations, Youth Farm, Youthlink.

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Pinnacle Peak Country Club made a Difference by Hosting Tee it up for the Troops Golf Tournament!

Thank you Pinnacle Peak Country Club Members for your support by hosting the 7th Annual Tee it Up for the Troops Golf Tournament on April 12th. It was an honor to have you host this event once again at PPCC!
Pinnacle Peak Country Club 5th Annual Event Flyover
 
Pinnacle Peak Country Club Members displayed unwavering support for this event as 130 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 patriot or active duty military service member. The event resulted in a donation in the amount of over $60,000. Pinnacle Peak Country Club has donated over $376,000 to Tee it up for the Troops over the past 7 years.
 
Pinnacle Peak Country Club 5th Annual EventThe military honorary ceremony was the highlight of the day. This event included a stirring tribute to the men and women of our military, past and present, complete with a Bag Pipe Call to Arms, Honor Guard honoring all service branches, Invocation, National Anthem sung by local celebrity Holly Kirsten, dove release, fireworks, and a flyover with T-34 and C-6 fighter planes that served in the Korean War.
In addition, many paused to honor and remember the amazing life of SGT First Class Brian Mancini on Hole #1 of this event. Founder of Honor House, SGT Mancini left us way to soon and will always be remembered as the true American Hero he was. Rest In Peace Soldier.
 
This tournament provided all attendees the opportunity to personally show their gratitude and appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of our true American heroes, while enjoying a great time with family, friends, wounded patriots and active duty military members.
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K9s save veterans, making them functional citizens…

We love this letter we received from K9s For Warriors regarding the use of the grant awarded to them by Tee It Up for the Troops!

Dear Mr. Wegscheld & Tee It Up for the Troops,

Thank you so much for your recent grant award. Your grant will help with the continued equipment and building costs of the second kennel, which officially opened in September, 2016. Having this additional kennel vastly increases our service dog training capability, adding 31 new stalls to our campus. Once filled, we will be able to speed up the rate at which we pair warriors and canines, saving the lives of dogs and veterans faster.

Currently, we accommodate 6-8 warriors per class. Our goal for 2017 is to increase class sizes to 10 members, as we try our hardest to fight against the suicide epidemic of post-9/11 heroes. The additional kennel is key to meeting this goal. It allows us to have more dogs available and ready to pair with the warriors who need them most. In 2016, we graduated 72 warrior-canine teams! That indicates a total of 144 lives saved last year, counting just graduates. However, our statistics are even better than that, because we saved a total of 190 dogs! Those that weren’t evaluated as good fits for service work were adopted into homes of eager, dedicated dog lovers.

We are fortunate to hear many touching testimonies from the veterans who get “a new leash on life” from our program. Brad was a member of our November, 2016 class along with his service dog, Bear. We have included his photo as an attachment to this update. Here is his quote describing his newfound hope:

“I tried everything under the sun, from medications to neurological treatments. After going through K9s’ program, I now have peace of mind that my future will be better than my past. K9s saves veterans, making them functional citizens, with the help of an animal that would’ve most likely been euthanized. I now have hope for my life.” – Brad & Bear, November 2016 graduates.

Thank you again for your generosity. We look forward to continuing this partnership to help our military veterans reintegrate into society.
Sincerely,
Rory Diamond,
CEO, K9s For Warriors