VetServe 2022: Share Your Service Success Stories Below!

Our company, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater (SPDT) recently completed a three-week residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The final performance, Our Country’s Keepers, was directed by Suzanne Costello and illuminated the stories of veterans and service members through movement, music and storytelling. Audience members described the project as “powerful and thought-provoking” and “incredibly powerful.” We invite you to view the March 19th performance at this link: https://vimeo.com/697462644.

SPDT has been a leader in the field of Arts in Health since we introduced our signature program, Caring for the Caregiver, in 1992. We have worked with populations ranging from students to veterans to healthcare professionals. You can learn more about our community-inclusive work at http://www.stuartpimsler.com. We would love to work with your organization! To begin a conversation about bringing the arts to military-connected communities, please contact [login to see] .

Our company, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater (SPDT), recently completed a three-week residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The final performance, Our Country's Keepers, was directed by Suzanne Costello and illuminated the stories of veterans and service members through movement, music and storytelling. We invite you to watch the March 19th performance at this link: https://vimeo.com/697462644.

SPDT has been a leader in the field of Arts in Health since introducing our signature program, Caring for the Caregiver, in 1992. We have worked with populations ranging from students to veterans to healthcare professionals. You can learn more about our community inclusive work at http://www.stuartpimsler.com. We would love to connect with your organization! To begin a conversation on bringing the arts to your veterans community, please contact [login to see]

I volunteer as the Veteran Relations Coordinator at an animal rescue called Black Ops Rescue. We pair veterans with shelter pets to create a lifelong bond. It’s completely free for the veteran and our organization is supported totally by donations and volunteer staff. As a veteran myself, this is my way of supporting my brothers and sisters. It’s amazing to see the change in veterans after they receive their dog (or cat) from us. Its life changing for the pet and the veteran. You can check us out at http://www.blackopsrescue.org.

I am a retired Navy LDO, having served for 25 years including Operation Desert Storm. I am very active in the Philadelphia veteran's community including The Chapel of Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation and Team Red White & Blue Philadelphia. I am an adult literacy tutor, town watch member, FBI Community Partner, Navy enlisted to officer mentor, Philly 311 Community Liaison for my neighborhood. Philly Spring Clean Up, COVID-19 volunteer and active with our homeless and addicted veterans. I also served as an Elected Committeeman for my political ward. There are many, many ways our veterans can continue to serve after their military service ends.

You can read my story about trying to hire work release and homeless Veterans on muscguilty.com

I'm a volunteer with the American Cancer Society. I joined because I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was on active duty when I was diagnosed. One year into remission I was being separated from the Navy. After that transition, I needed to focus on something bigger than myself. For many years I would volunteer with various organizations and landed with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Texas. I fundraise with Relay For Life and Making Strides with Breast Cancer. My volunteer role includes advocating for cancer patients which involves lobbying at the state and federal levels for healthcare access, funding for cancer research, and laws that remove barriers for someone diagnosed with cancer.

I retired in 2008 after 38 years of service. I have volunteered as a VTN/DAV driver since 2005 in Florence, SC usually doing 8-15 hrs. per week. Since Covid has greatly reduce volunteering and personal contacts, Dorn VAMC has not been able to present appropriate awards. I have over 5,000 hours and cannot get the proper recognition. Wish there was a way (been waiting nearly 3 years now). Thanks to all who volunteer and VS support staff.
Colonel Martin C. Thomas USA-R
Florence, SC

Learn more about how you can become a TAPS Military Mentor for a child grieving the loss of a military loved one at our 28th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp, or other events throughout the year, by visiting taps.org/militarymentor. Additional questions can be directed to the TAPS Youth Programs Team at [login to see] or 800.959.TAPS (8277).

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the leading national organization providing compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a military loved one, is looking for members of the Active Duty, Reservist, National Guard, and veteran community to serve as supportive companions to the children of our nation’s fallen heroes at our 28th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp from May 26 - 30 in Arlington, Virginia.
Surviving children, ages 5 - 18, from across the nation will come together and connect with other children who have experienced similar losses - creating lasting friendships, learning coping skills, and honoring their fallen service members. At TAPS, a Military Mentor’s caring companionship of a child grieving the death of their military family member is the foundation of a caring TAPS family and Good Grief Camp programming. Military mentors are needed to pair with these children and work in small groups facilitated by an experienced leader.
Volunteering as a military mentor has a tremendous impact on surviving children. The one-on-one time with their mentor gives children and teens the companionship and support needed to connect with their peers and engage in activities. Their individual pairing with military mentors also signals to each child that they are worthy of the time and attention of others and maintains their connection with the military community. Compassionate and caring companionship from military mentors builds resilience, leadership and improves the healing of their mentees through positive role modeling. Most importantly, it creates hope.
TAPS understands that many of our Nation's service members and veterans are survivors too, having experienced the traumatic loss of a battle buddy. In addition to being a safe and supportive place of healing for surviving families, TAPS provides a healthy environment of mentorship and peer support for our Military Mentors. By mentoring with TAPS, service members and veterans learn to effectively express their grief and process emotion alongside their mentees and within their own peer group.
"We don't get to choose tragedy, but we do get to choose healing and I am very proud to be healing with TAPS." ~ MSgt Melissa Simpson, USAF, Retired and TAPS 2020 Military Mentor of the Year
Learn more about how you can become a TAPS Military Mentor for a child grieving the loss of a military loved one at our 28th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp, or other events throughout the year, by visiting taps.org/militarymentor. Additional questions can be directed to the TAPS Youth Programs Team at [login to see] or 800.959.TAPS (8277).
“It is not easy to mentor, but nothing worthwhile ever is. You will fall in love with the families and form relationships that will last forever. I love how you go to a TAPS event as strangers and when it ends, you leave as family—it truly is magical!” ~ Maj. Peter Mask, USAF Reserve and TAPS Military Mentor

Me and my wife volunteer at two veteran organizations. Operation adopt a soldier out of Saratoga ny and Veterans and community housing coalition in ballston spa ny. Being veterans ourselves we are so thankful for all that our military members do for us everyday.