Part Two: A Busy Fall for SBT!
On November 11 we sent you a Veterans Day Newsletter with stories about veterans and spouses we coached this past year. In Part Two below, we report on recent SBT activities on behalf of, and for, veterans and their spouses/caregivers.
SBT Joins Blue Star Families at The Rubin Museum of Art
SBT CEO Stephanie Richmond & SBT Coach and Board Treasurer Sheila Wall joined Blue Star Families at The Rubin Museum of Art in NYC this past Saturday. The topic for discussion was: "The Impact of Deployment on Military Families". We heard from children of our service members, as well as spouses, and active duty service members, as they shared their first-hand, impactful accounts of their experiences, both positive and negative, of deployment and the transition back to civilian life. After this meaningful "Long Table" conversation, the participants were treated to a tour of the Rubin's treasures by Marine veteran Reggie Gibbs, whose incredible knowledge of Asian cultures fascinated all who followed him. Thanks to Allyson Harasimowicz, NYC Chapter Director of Blue Star Families, and to our friends at the Rubin Museum: Jane Hsu & Laura Sloan for making this event possible!
SBT Partners with L'Oreal USA for Female Veterans to "Have a Beautiful Day"
(left) Junko Tennyson, USAF (left to right) Kim Graham (USMC veteran),
military spouse, and (right) Yvonne Pacheco, Stephanie Richmond (SBT), Donna
USAF veteran, are excited to begin Newman-Robinson (Army vet)
their special day at L'Oreal USA.
Once again we were excited to partner with L'OREAL USA on this exciting annual event, which hosted 55 female veterans for beauty make-overs at the company's NYC headquarters at Hudson Yards. We invited female military veterans and military spouses we have worked with, and were joined by other veteran service organizations including the USO, Women Veterans Interactive, and the American Legion. A great time was had by all! Kim and Donna, above right, are SBT coaches who also serve on our Board. They traveled all the way from Pennsylvania and D.C. for this special event!
Annual Veterans Day Breakfast & Parade
NYC Mayor BIll DeBlasio hosted the annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Monday, November 11, 2019 at his residence. As always, our CEO Stephanie Richmond was excited to meet with veterans from all the service branches, who served in all of our country's conflicts from WW2 to the present time.It was a great day to celebrate our heroes!
Stephanie was thrilled to meet Mr. and Mrs. Al Beckett (below) who have been married for 60 years! Al served as one of the Tuskegee airmen during World War II.
Three generations of Marines bond on the patio of Gracie Mansion. Semper Fi!
(l. Walter Weaver; m. Ivan Snook;
r. Mort Gerard)
The Veterans Day Parade, run by United War Veterans Council (UWVC) was a huge success. The weather was perfect, and the crowds came out in full force to cheer and thank our veterans and their families.
You can find an album of our photos from the Veteran's Day Parade here.
Meet Jere Wile, SBT Coach and Director of Fundraising for SBT
Jere Wile at the SBT launch party in 2013.
One of our most enthusiastic supporters is Army veteran (Viet Nam) Jere Wile, a retired psychotherapist and a current SBT coach who lives with his wife Cathy in Salt Lake City, Utah. A former New Yorker, Jere is giving back to veterans on a daily basis through his energetic involvement with SBT, both as a Board Member, a Coach, and a fundraiser who works tirelessly to keep our wheels turning!
If you’d like to contact Jere or volunteer to help fundraise for SBT, please contact him at: jr.wile@gmail.com. We can use your help!
Jere talks about his experience coaching for SBT here: VIDEO
SBT attends the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Symposium for Caregivers in Washington, D.C.
SBT Founder/CEO Stephanie Richmond and SBT Coach (Virginia) Natalie Turner attended the "Hidden Heroes Among Us" conference in Washington, D.C. in October. This was the fourth annual event hosted by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, designed to raise awareness about the needs of military and veteran caregivers, and provide information on how communities can support these needs. Stephanie and Natalie found the speeches by Elizabeth Dole and VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to be very moving, and the break-out sessions very informative. They also enjoyed networking with so many caregivers who had assembled in D.C. for the week. These caregivers took back information on SBT to their constituency of fellow caregivers, Natalie Turner (left) and
so hopefully we'll get some more to coach! Stephanie Richmond (right).
SBT Coaches Participate at Blue Star Military Spouses Summit in Virginia
From left to right: Marlene Thomas, Nicoletta Pichardo, Natalie Turner and Kendel Paulsen
Four of our SBT coaches, led by Nicoletta Pichardo (second from the left, who also happens to be a military spouse), participated in the Blue Star Families Military Spouse Summit event held at Fort Belvoir in Virginia on Saturday, September 14th.
We're so grateful for their representing SBT and letting military spouses know how important they are to us! Several of the Summit attendees registered for SBT coaching after the event. Great job SBT Coaches!
An SBT Coach and Coachee Celebrate his Retirement
SBT Coach Beth Carter with her coachee U.S.Naval Commander Ray Franklin, celebrated at his retirement ceremony recently at Battleship Cove in Rhode Island. Congratulations Ray, we are SO grateful for your service, and look forward to hearing about the next chapter in your life!
Beth Carter (left) and Ret. USN Commander
Ray Franklin (right)
Our Mission:
To coach and empower America’s veterans and their spouses/caregivers to achieve success at home, at work, and in the community.
All contributions are tax-deductible. We are a 501c3 organization and our IRS EIN # is 46-2080588