Being "Here" Now...But...

Although we suggest 'being here now' and just doing today -- say Friday, for example -- many exciting things are happening in 2014 and wanted to share them with you, as they are developing on their own; these opportunities are finding SaW...and we are incredibly grateful for the support.

Come next summer, CNN will air the hourlong documentary; THE Wall Street Journal is seeking to embed a reporter in a Project Cohort for a national story; Malibu Magazine has pushed back a feature story on SaW so that ALL of the content could be included in the article; come spring, David Lynch Foundation plans to honor SaW -- along with Director Martin Scorcese -- for servant leader excellence; Thank You For Your Service, extensively featuring SaW and our service offering debuts at The Sundance Film Festival, and on and on.

Know, from all of us here on Team SaW, that we are profoundly grateful for our growing Facebook community, because you are (and were) our first opportunity to share with our stories with you...people we know, and people we are getting to know. 

Know, too, whether we run The Project at two locations, or one day at ten (or more) locations that you will ALWAYS be welcome to come visit (just give us a heads up so we have enough soft drink, water, etc ;-)) and see our work for yourselves; we always endeavor to maintain this level of transparency and invitation; because we are you...we are you...we're the same family and we all want the same thing for our Warriors: access to life over which they will never get. They deserve that. YOU deserve that, too...and when you take the opportunity to come spend a day, or so, with us...you'll SEE it for yourself. 

So no...it doesn't matter if we get written up in the WSJ or The Merchandiser (Mountjoy peeps know what I am saying), we will always maintain our unique and boutique approach to healing: serve that Warrior standing right in front of us to the very best of our ability.  ---Jake

What a life 

DONTATE

During Thanksgiving...there is SO much for which SaW is grateful

Thanksgiving, I believe, calls for so much more than a blanket 'Happy Thanksgiving everyone!', or 'Happy Bird Day!', etc.  Thanksgiving is THE time of year for fully expressing one's gratitude (I believe ;-)), and because Save a Warrior (SaW) went operational just before last Thanksgiving (2012), I thought I'd take this opportunity to really and truly express my / our gratitude.  Here goes:

I am so grateful for every Warrior that has walked through our doors, who have placed their lives, their hearts and their well-being in our trusted care and, in doing so, teaching us at SaW the meaning of service, commitment and love. Without them, we'd be nothing..we'd still be in search of our missions and purpose in life.

I am especially grateful to the 'Shepherds' and Project Directors who go WAAAAY above and beyond -- for fun and for free(ish): Ryan Mangus, Bobby Farmer, Steve Gordon, Stephen Howell, Jr. and Tom Bean. Thank you for believing that all this was possible; that we really could go another way other than suicide; that it didn't have to end like that for our fellow Warriors.

I am so thankful for all our incredible Providers: Suzi Landolphi, Philip Folsom, Dusty Baxley, Denny Goodman, Dr. Michael Salonious, Ken Falke, Holly Cook, Lee McCormick, Cheyenne Price, Jill Starr, Jenna and Mary Murphy, Jeff Weston, Jim Cowgill, Christian Stone and Tawny Biggs.

A very special thank you to Jill Starr and Ken Falke...the ultimate 'force mulitipliers'.  No you, no me...you know what I'm saying ;-)

I am so grateful for our wonderful board of directors: John Bohlinger, Josh Goldberg, Tim Agajanian, Joe Lovelace and Ken Falke (Q2, 2014). That you would 'allow' me to have this life, to enjoy the degree of autonomy to drive this 'Ferrari' -- and not break it -- the way that you have, gives me access to a life over which I will never get. Thank you, also, for your leadership, mentorship and belief in the vision.

Thank you, also, to our incredible supporters in and around Malibu, CA., and Boulder Crest Retreat in Bluemont, VA: Bill and Judith at The Malibu Kitchen, Aaron Brill at Chipotle, D'Amore's Pizza, CeCe at Grom's, Ashley at Nikita's, Glen Gerson at Calamigos Ranch and Paradise Cove, John Bard from Camp Hess Kramer, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Subway, Cirque Du Soleil, Arlington National Cemetery, Loudon County Equestrian Center, BIG Heart Ranch, Fulcrum Adventures, Erin Rusler of Logorama, Avon Rent-a-Car, USO LAX, Duke's of Malibu, Norrell Walker, Kristine Petersen, Martin Juarez, Patricia Garcia of McKesson (SoCal DC), and many, many others who escape my short-term memory.

To our generous  financial sponsors of this year's SaW Project Cohorts: Rolex, McKesson Military Resource Group (WEST), Caroline Sharpe, Duncan Neiderauer, Bert Ellis, Rehanna Farrell, Ken Falke, Kevin Lynch and Ed Wilson -- thank you so much for what you gave. You could've have chosen to support anyone, or any organization, and you were moved to support SaW. You changed and saved the lives of our Warriors...82 at latest count!!!...and we -- and their families, loved ones and units -- are so grateful for what you have done. Thank you!

May all of you have a wonderful day of giving thanks, knowing that you have touched the lives of so many who are so deserving. We PROMISE to continue paying it forward!

Happy Thanksgiving!

-- jake