Before founding Sentinels of Freedom, Mike Conklin was a successful Real Estate Developer in San Ramon, California. As a father of three Army Rangers, Mike was inspired to establish a non-profit that would support post-9/11 wounded or injured veteran’s following the combat injury of his eldest son, Kris, who was wounded in Iraq in 2003. While visiting Kris at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Mike was impressed by the level of care his son received during his stay. Between his son’s surgeries, Mike had the opportunity to observe and meet other wounded soldiers by their bedside showing deep concern for them while they were without their families or community. His conversations with these soldiers lead to the realization and stark reality of the tremendous physical and emotional hurdles they were facing when transitioning back to civilian life.
Thus, began the birth of Sentinels of Freedom (SOF), a unique San Ramon, California based non-profit providing resources nationally for severely wounded veterans that go beyond what the Veterans Administration can provide. Helping to “fill the gaps” so veterans can look beyond the permanent challenges they face and begin to achieve success in their post-military journey.
Sentinels of Freedom was established to meet an entirely new social need. The mission; provide severely wounded post 9/11 veterans with comprehensive personal support and financial assistance as they complete their higher education and achieve success in their post-military careers. The team is by their side as they journey from the military to school to becoming successful and independent individuals. Our program participants are called “Sentinels” in honor of their sacrifice in guarding America’s freedoms.
Mike’s vision has been honoured by military and community leaders ranging from Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. He was awarded the Department of the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, and he became one of CNN’s “CNN Heroes” for everyday people changing the world.
As over 200,000 military members will retire or end their enlistments in 2020, 16,000 of these new veterans will be coming home to communities across the nation, medically retired due to injuries making them unable to continue their military service. Of this group, 6,000 will be rated at above 50% or higher permanently disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The need is greater than ever.
To learn more about our effort in making a difference in the lives of wounded post-9/11 veterans visit http://www.sentinelsoffreedom.org.
This month, we celebrate the work Rotarians worldwide are doing to combat diseases through effective treatment and prevention. In 1985, Rotary pledged to eradicate polio, and look at the progress that has occurred! Today, Rotary International has partnered with the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and regional governments worldwide to complete this pledge.
Although infectious diseases continue to be a major cause of illness and death across the globe, they are not the major health concerns for most developed countries. Now many people are seeing their lives shortened by chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Many of these conditions are not caused by infectious agents but are rather due to certain health behaviors and social conditions.
Rotary’s continued involvement in Disease Prevention and Treatment will thus need to be directed toward finding solutions to these social and behavioral determinants of health while continuing to fight against existing and emerging disease threats. You as a Rotarian have been enlisted as being a part of that fight. Thanks for all you do to support these important initiatives.
The Rotary Foundation is changing the world by providing grants for projects and activities around the globe.
Cougars Care - The Service Fund donated $1,500 and we raised an additional $115 through the donation link which helped with the cost of providing 150 meals to families in need at Coronado High School.
Columbia Christmas Project - Shoppers have dropped off the gifts and a box of food (provided by Cass Daley and Emerald) to Columbia Elementary. The school is coordinating drop-offs to the families! Thank you to our volunteers who completed the shopping. (Check out our Facebook for a picture of the wrapped gifts)
One Nation Walking Together Food Drive - In addition to the non-perishable food items donated we raised $150 through the online donation link.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing - Thank you to our volunteers who rang the bell on the 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th!
I'm one of those wackadoos who LOVES to make new year's resolutions! Although I'm setting some of the usual goals about making healthier choices, being a better friend, mom, daughter, my most unique resolution for 2021 is to learn to eat with chopsticks! It will be interesting to learn and fun to master! I hope if you are a resolution setter that you remember to set some fun goals. And if you don't set resolutions, I hope you remember to plan some fun for 2021!This year needs to be so amazing that it makes up for the less positive parts of 2020. Regardless of whether you set goals or not, I wish for you each to have your best year yet! I look forward to seeing you when we Zoom on January 7, 2021!
If you have makeups you would like to turn in to be counted for your attendance, please email me with the date and purpose of the meetings! KSaltmarshVoss@yahoo.com
If you have bulletin announcements, please email the EXACT WORDING of your announcement to KSaltmarshVoss@yahoo.com by Wednesday at 5 pm. I don't write your announcements but I do make them nice 'n' fancy!
As you're doing your shopping online, did you know that you can support our Rotary Club with every Amazon purchase? Here’s how:
Go to smile.amazon.com (not amazon.com). Amazon Smile is the same company, same account, same password, but the Amazon Smile program gives one half of one percent of every purchase to charity. No, it’s not a lot, but it’s also not nuthin’ (to be exact: about $150 for the Club so far). So again, go to smile.amazon.com
Sign into your Amazon account as you normally would
On the very top left of the page, next to the AmazonSmile logo, are three horizontal bars. Click there for the drop-down menu.
Scroll ALL the way down to “Your AmazonSmile”; it should be the last option right before “Sign Out”; Click on “Your AmazonSmile”
On the right side of the page, click on the “change charity” box under Your current charity (Note: If you are currently supporting another charity, that’s awesome! These instructions are for those who are not doing so. Also, if you have not previously selected a charity, your default option will be St. Judge Children’s Research Hospital.)
Type in Community Service Fund of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs; click Select
That’s it. You’re all set. Just remember to go to Smile.Amazon.com when you shop from now on.
