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Warrior Gateway Helps Connect Military and Civilian Communities During Veterans Day Events

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway partnered with ServiceNation and local organizations to host three of the eleven 11/11/11 Mission Serve projects nationwide.  The projects brought together the civilian and military communities through volunteerism and service.  Celebrities, professional sports teams, and others helped make these 11 nationwide projects memorable.  Members of the Warrior Gateway team helped coordinate and host projects in Seattle, Tucson, and Denver.  All three events were a great success; with volunteers of all ages and background joining together for a day of service.  The purpose of these events coincide directly with the mission at Warrior Gateway: connecting the military community and their families to meaningful resources in their local communities.  Helping the military community connect with their local community is essential for a successful transition.  The Warrior Gateway team was honored to partner with ServiceNation and others for these signature events.

Tucson, Arizona

The Tucson project brought together the civilian community, military and vetereans alike.  Volunteers gathered at Tucson Mountain Park to perform various community services including buffel grass removal, trail work, litter clean-up and mural painting.  ”I couldn’t imagine a better turnout for Tucson,” said Tabitha Cooper, Community Partnership Manager at Warrior Gateway, and coordinator of the event. “I saw veterans, active duty service members and civilians working together as a whole; serving alongside one another to better our community.  It was truly a beautiful event and I cherish days like this.”  Tabitha’s husband currently serves in Afghanistan, which makes events such as this close to her heart.  Photos from the event.

Seattle, Washington

In Seattle, Warrior Gateway joined Veterans Conservation Corps, and the Sierra Club for the second annual Veterans Day at Hamm Creek Estuary event.  For the past two decades Hamm Creek has been transformed into a more natural setting, in addition it has been a focal point in veteran healing and transition.  Volunteers showed up in great numbers, despite a steady rainfall in Seattle.  A little damp weather did not deter members of the military community, veterans, and civilians to join together for a morning of beautifying the already stunning Hamm Creek Estuary.  ”It was an honor to be involved with a project such as this on Veterans Day,” said Mike Broom, Marketing Manager at Warrior Gateway.  ”Seeing the multitude of volunteers come together, both military and civilian, and work side by side despite rainy weather was an amazing experience.  Weather could not put a damper on the dedication and strength of those in attendance.”  Photos from the event.

Denver, Colorado

The third event featured volunteers from all backgrounds (active duty, veterans, military families, civilians) come together to clean up the Cherry Creek Trail in Denver.  Volunteers helped Denver Parks by collecting over 20 bags of debris along the trail, replacing wire around trees, and painting a bridge.  ”As coordinator for the event, it was wonderful to see relationships being built during the three-hour service project at Cherry Creek,” said Nathalia Magri, Community Partnership Manager at Warrior Gateway.  ”By the end of the day everyone was exchanging contact information, and the non-profits involved had a chance to inform those in attendance of their services offered.”  Photos from the event.

Please check out all of the photos from the event on our Facebook page.  Share with others, and share with us what you think!

2011 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

Posted on by Mike

The Warrior Gateway team is excited to help spread the word about discounts on goods, services and dining for our nation’s veterans and service members this upcoming Veterans Day!  Listed below are various restaurants and retailers that will honor our veterans on November 11th.

Most busi­nesses require some proof of mil­i­tary ser­vice, this includes a VA Uni­ver­sal Access Card, Mil­i­tary I.D., DD-214 (Dis­charge Papers) or in some cases a pic­ture of the vet­eran in uni­form.

Check out the deals below.  Share with others.  Spread the word!

Note: always call (or visit web site) before going to be sure of the date the discount is being offered, or if the particular location is even participating.

Restaurants

Abuelo’s Mexican Food – Abuelo’s offerings vary by region, be sure to call ahead to see what the discounts or freebies are included.

Applebees - All veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu at Applebee’s on Veterans Day.

Chili’s — Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special limited six item menu on Veterans Day.

Golden Corral — Golden Corral Restaurants’ Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on November 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Hooters — All Veterans and active duty eat free. The free entrees must beselected from a special Veterans Day menu.

Krispy Kreme – All active-duty, retirees & veterans get a free doughnut on Veterans Day. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants — Participating McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on a space available basis, online reservations are highly recommended.

Outback Steakhouse — Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day.

UNO Chicago Grill — UNO is offering a Buy One Get One free offer to Service members or Veterans with a military or veteran I.D. or in uniform or with a photo of themselves in uniform. The Veterans Day BOGO offer includes a free entree or individual pizza, with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value.

Texas Roadhouse – Free meal from opening until 4pm. on Veterans Day. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Veterans and Service members Buy one get one free from Nov 11–14. Contact your nearest location for more details on their Veterans Day BOGO offer.

Retail

The Dollar General — Veterans, Service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families will receive a 10-percent discount with a Veterans Day coupon. The coupon may be found in store circular ads or by asking a sales associate.

Home Depot — Offers a 10 percent discount to all Veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Lowe’s — All veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The offer is available in stores only and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

Sam’s Club — Sam’s give away 36,000 collapsible Hugo Canes on Veterans Day to military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Sam’s Club will require membership for this offer, but proof of service may be necessary.

Amazon.com – Free Veterans Day Honor MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cabela’s Outdoor Store – Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel November 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.

Build-a-Bear Workshop – Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve OfficerTraining Corps, will receive a 20% discount November 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Fashion Bug – 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse’s military ID.

Sports Clips Haircuts – The men’s hair salon chain is offering a free haircut to active military and veterans on Veterans Day.

Foot Locker — Veterans, Service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card receive a 20 percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports — even on sale items

Warrior Gateway & Pin-Ups For Vets Auctioning Off 2012 VW Beetle

Posted on by Mike

“21st Century Calendar Girl Auctions Off 21st Century Beetle To Support Veterans”

Los Angeles, CA – Pin-Ups For Vets and Warrior Gateway have joined forces to raise money for hospitalized Veterans by auctioning off a 2012 VW Beetle given away during Oprah’s final “Favorite Things” show. Inspired by the romance of bygone eras, especially the 1940’s, Gina Elise the 21st Century pin-up girl draws inspiration from the World War II pin-up girls, whose photos and paintings boosted moral for service members fighting overseas.

Starting at 9am PDT on October 17th, interested supporters can bid on the 2012 VW Beetle on eBay Auction.

All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Pin-Ups For Vets, a California registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, that works to improve the quality of life for hospitalized Veterans across the U.S.A. The highest bidder will also get an autographed copy of the 2012 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar in addition to bringing home this special 2012 VW Beetle with a special boxed gift key from Oprah’s “Favorite Things” show.

“We are honored that Pin-Ups For Vets has asked us to join this auction to raise funds for our Veterans” said Devin B. Holmes, CEO of Warrior Gateway. “From providing funding for equipment for spinal cord injury patients in Salt Lake City to supporting the Armed Services YMCA in San Diego, Gina is an example of how one person can impact the Veterans community and is role model for all those who want to know how to give back.”

“I am excited to partner with Warrior Gateway” said Gina Elise, Founder and CEO of Pin-Ups For Vets. “Veterans and their families need better ways to find and connect with support organizations in their local community and Warrior Gateway provides this valuable and free service for them. Our partnership showshow community collaboration is one of the cornerstones to successfully changing how Veterans are supported.”

About Pin-Ups For Vets: Gina Elise, Founder and CEO, has been dubbed the “Calendar Angel”and “The Betty Grable for a new generation” by today’s active duty service members. She is the creator and model in the “Pin-Ups For Vets” calendar fundraiser that supports America’s hospitalized Veterans and recovering troops. In addition to raising funds to support Veterans’ healthcare programs, Gina has made countless personal bedside visits to ill and injured patients in VA and military hospitals across the U.S. and the globe, where she delivers her nostalgic pin-up calendars and posters that are donated by the public. Gina’s nostalgic pin-up calendar draws attention to Veterans’ healthcare, while at the same time honoring the four-year military service of her late grandfather. In 2009, The “Los Angeles Business Journal” and its members honored Gina Elise as “VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR” at their annual “Women Making A Difference”awards ceremony. Pin-Ups For Vets has donated $50,000 to date to expand physical, cognitive, and occupational rehabilitation programs for V.A. and Military hospitals nationwide. Visit the website, www.pinupsforvets.com.

About Warrior Gateway: Founded in 2009, Warrior Gateway connects individuals in the military community with organizations and programs (non-profit, government, educational or employment-related) in their neighborhood that are there to support them. Led by CEO, Devin B.Holmes, Warrior Gateway harnesses state-of-the art technology and community collaboration to help today’s Veterans make better decisions about what service providers they can go to for help, and have a public forum to share their experiences about the quality and effectiveness of those services. This innovation was recognized when Federal Computer Week honored Devin B.Holmes with a Federal 100 award for significant contributions to the Federal IT community. For more information, please visit: www.warriorgateway.org.

Sea of Goodwill Series: Navigating the Sea of Goodwill

Posted on by Devin

This week’s guest blogger is Bill Salesky, a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and an enlisted member of the Air Force Reserve. In this blog, Bill shares his thoughts on the resources needed for the transition home.

Like many other Americans, I know those who have been deployed overseas – they are friends; they are classmates; they are colleagues.  One needs only turn on the television or read a newspaper to see the stories about service men and women on their second or third tour of duty.  Some are active duty, some are reservists like me, and some are National Guard.  What they all have in common is that they left their families and “normal lives” for months at a time to answer America’s call to duty.

Upon their return, veterans and their families have a variety of needs as they work to re-integrate into each local community.  The navigation of the 400,000 nationwide organizations supporting and providing resources to the veteran community is no simple task.  An example of how overwhelming it can be to find a specific resource across the extensive amount of resources can be illustrated through a veteran’s search of the phrase “post traumatic stress disorder.”  This disorder is one of the more common afflictions after military service abroad.  This key phrase yields over 5 million results and does not quickly get the veteran to the answers or resources he/she needs.

To better support our veterans and their families, it is imperative to have a platform dedicated to nothing more than navigating the vast array of resources and services available to their needs.  There needs to be one additional resource which is the connection and portal to link the other 400,000 resources while addressing the needs of the veteran community.

Bill Salesky

Sr. Airman, U.S. Air Force Reserve


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