Give an Hour™ would like to take this time to honor Jeffery Whitfield, an Army National Guard veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq for 11 months and was honorably discharged February 28, 2006. After serving one tour in Iraq, he decided against signing for another term because he "didn't want to take the chances of going back over a second time."

When asked what his experience was like in Iraq, he said, "It was strange; I had never been out of the country so it was strange in that I was seeing how different cultures lived outside the U.S. And of course, being in the middle of the war was very alarming. I didn't know whether the day I woke up would be my last. My relationship with God grew asI had to depend on Him rather than myself. I truly felt that this time in my life gave me the opportunity to develop a faith and love for God that I hadn't known before." Though Jef was not on the frontlines fighting, he was in the midst of battle on a continuous basis, as he was an administrative specialist and served as the battalion mail clerk.

Many veterans return home with mental illness, especially TBI, PTSD, and substance abuse problems. Jef, however, was fortunate, although he did feel his service "affected me in many ways. I can honestly say, though, that I did walk away with an appreciation for those Iraqis who risk their lives to serve us. I believe that because I went to Iraq, I have a drive to excel that was not there before. I cherish each day and each experience because I know that it will only make me smarter and wiser. My overall experience has been positive. I know that bad things were happening all around me, and I saw a few things that made me shudder, but I believe that God helped me reconcile with it." Jef also said that he seldom speaks about his experiences in Iraq, unless he is asked. He recalled having some adjustment problems returning home, as he returned to the civilian world after serving as a soldier for 18 months. He said he was definitely overwhelmed during the first six months after returning home. Mental health services were suggested, but Jef refused care and decided to reintegrate himself by taking things slowly.

Since his discharge from the Army National Guard, Jef has gone to school and gotten his Associate's Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling. He works as an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Counselor for Rock Valley Community Programs in Janesville, Wis. He recently began taking advantage of his military education benefits and is currently working on his Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has considered using this degree to work with veterans and individuals who are retired. For the moment, however, he would like to finish school and then see whichdirection his life takes him.

Through word of mouth, Jef has become familiar with Give an Hour™. When asked what impact he believes this organization can have on the military community, he responded, "I believe that when you find a former soldier, airman, marine, or sailor who is willing to be honest about where they are and an organization that is looking to help someone deal effectively with their thoughts and emotions, good things can happen. I believe this organization can have a profound impact. One thing that is a barrier for a lot of military personnel is shedding the tough military image. If that can be lost, this organization can help make headway for former military personnel."

On behalf of Give an Hour™, I would like to take this time to thank Jef and all our veterans for their giving of themselves to serve and protect our country.

 

The Mission Continues was built on the belief that our returning wounded should be recognized not only for the sacrifices they have made but also for everything they have left to give. The organization awards paid fellowships to empower wounded and disabled veterans to serve in their communities. In doing so, it sends the message "We still need you."  America owes these men and women a great deal, but as a nation, we have much left to learn from them. While injury may have changed the nature of their service, their mission continues, and it is as important as ever.

In helping wounded veterans to continue their lives of service, The Mission Continues depends on the support of Americans everywhere. It has placed Fellows with community organizations throughout the country and is constantly looking to expand these opportunities.

Through this partnership, Give an Hour™ will offer mental health care to past, present, and future Fellows of The Mission Continues and their family members, as well as consult to Mission Continues partners. At the same time, The Mission Continues will connect those who have received counseling services from Give an Hour™ with volunteer opportunities in their community.

To learn more about The Mission Continues, visit http://www.missioncontinues.org.

 

Give an Hour™ is developing a partnership so that GAH providers can serve as mental health consultants to programs BBBS runs for children in military families.
 
Give an Hour™ therapists are connecting with the Big Brothers Big Sisters' nationwide network of agencies. The GAH volunteers will serve as roving mental health consultants for BBBS agencies, consulting with BBBS agency heads on mental health issues and providing services ranging from offering referrals to counseling "Bigs," "Littles," and agency and school-district staff and parents. 

Through this partnership, Postpartum Support International will offer training for GAH providers on postpartum depression, while Give an Hour™ will offer PSI mental health professionals the opportunity to join GAH. The goal is to expand the pool of mental health professionals available to help the increasing numbers of women (both service members and spouses) suffering from postpartum depression.

 

Walmart donated free toys, books, Walmart gift cards, and gift packages to more than 10,000 military children and families. Through a $1.1 million donation from Walmart, the initiative benefited families in all branches of the military. The company also placed 16,000 wreaths at national cemeteries across the United States to honor fallen veterans as part of "Walmart Gives Back," a holiday giving initiative focused on hunger relief and support for military families.

"Walmart has a history of supporting our troops. This holiday season, we recognized the sacrifices of our deployed servicemen and women--and their families back at home," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. "We know that many military families have a tough time during the holidays. They miss their loved ones who are away, and we hope that our efforts made their holiday easier and better."

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008, through January 31, 2009, Walmart--and its domestic and international foundations--gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

Last month, Walmart awarded Give an Hour™a $100,000 two-year grant to fund its partnership with Student Veterans of America.  These organizations will work to ease veterans' transition from combat to higher education.

 

The American Legion Auxiliary is the nation's largest women's patriotic service organization, making a difference in the lives of all Americans by educating children, organizing community events, and helping our nation's veterans through legislative action and volunteerism. 

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Call to Service Corps VISTA Project seeks to provide practical support to military families and to engage them in poverty-related community service projects. In keeping with these objectives, ALA and Give an Hour™ will undertake collaborative projects, including ALA KIDDS (Kids in Danger of Depression and Suicide). ALA field site VISTAs will coordinate community-level meetings designed to bring together public and private stakeholders, including organizations, schools, families, and others who can identify ways to better meet the social and mental wellness needs of military children. The meetings are intended to be a place for stakeholders to exchange information about the well-being of military children, share best practices, and plan community outreach efforts.

ALA field site VISTAs will identify additional mental health professionals to participate in ALA KIDDS meetings and to serve as Give an Hour™ volunteers. Additionally, ALA field site VISTAs will refer families to Give an Hour™ for service, work with ALA units to provide social support to military families identified by Give an Hour™ and other KIDDS meeting members, and provide volunteer opportunities for families served by Give an Hour™. Give an Hour™ will assist the American Legion Auxiliary in developing the community-level KIDDS meetings and in making referrals to ALA of military families desiring ALA's practical assistance, moral support, and volunteer opportunities.

For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary, visit http://www.legion-aux.org.