A huge thank you from the Women of Evergreen Business to everyone who supported the Broad Stripes Bright Stars fundraising event this weekend. We had a big – and enthusiastic – turnout from the community, heard some amazing stories, and had a great time with good music and delicious food. The funds raised from this event go to Project Sanctuary. Project Sanctuary provides a therapeutic, curative, and supportive camp experience for military service members returning from our nation’s wars and conflicts, and their families. See all images – and download – here: http://katymosesphotography.shootproof.com/BrightStars It is a sad statistic that every day approximately 22 veterans commit suicide. Of the 2.5 million men and women who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 1 in 50 returns home with physical disabilities, and 1 in 5 comes back with traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, anxiety, and or depression. While service men and women have been deeply affected, their families have also been harmed by this disruption and stress. Child abuse and neglect triples when a parent is deployed and government statistics indicate that in 2004, 1.1 million children were maltreated in enlisted soldiers’ families. Project Sanctuary addresses the need to help the whole family reintegrate, helping our nation’s heroes finally come home. Of the 1,000 active duty military and veteran participants that Project Sanctuary has helped, there have been NO suicides, and 90% of couples are still together. Following the family retreat at Project Sanctuary, participants are provided support for two years. Currently there is a waiting list of 1,300 families waiting to attend as it is the only program of its kind in the country. To learn more about Project Sanctuary check out their website at: http://projectsanctuary.us To learn more about The Women of Evergreen Business visit us at: http://www.womenofevergreenbusinesses.com A BIG thanks to Pat Pilcher, who took most of the images below!
