Help Rebuild Destroyed Veteran Small Business
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I'll get to the point. We need your help.
We need your generosity of heart and spirit to help Veterans right now who are not only suffering from battle wounds seen and unseen, but in this moment, many are losing their businesses because of the horrific outbreak of violence gripping our country and whose impact will be painfully visible for years to come.
I am appealing to you with a humble and heavy heart as I feel the helplessness of those who've struggled to build in the civilian world, a world not always easy to be in. This is personal for me and for Matt. Over a year ago, we, Matt Buckley and Nicole Champagne, longtime good friends, small business owners, dog lovers and passionate about America, came together over our shared vision of dedicating our lives in service to the men and women who have served this grateful nation: our veterans. Matt himself served in the US Navy for 15 years as an F-18 fighter pilot.
Our mission: To make a meaningful impact in the prevention of veteran suicide and provide life changing options to build a life of their own design.
22 suicides a day. Almost 1 an hour. It's tough to get your head around, isn't it? I would dare say that number is higher today with the imposed lock down over the past 2-3 months. Now yet another unthinkable moment in our collective history: the very values our Veterans fought for are under siege. From the horrific death of an unarmed black CITIZEN, George Floyd, to the freedoms of speech, of assembly, of terror in our streets, in our homes, just freedom . FREEDOM not anarchy and destruction and decimation of hope. To do nothing to assist them now is to turn our backs to their sacrifice.
We are building TOPGUN Fighter Foundation and we are building just that: a foundation upon which can be built programs and services that can change lives of Veterans and those they love. Still today the mission has not changed, however circumstances have conspired to bring us further tragedies, challenges and despair.
We have been heartbroken over the tragic events in Minneapolis, the horrendous death of George Floyd. This is a tragedy in and of itself which has in turn brought evermore compounding tragedy . The implosion of small businesses around the country because of the Covid-19 shut down, and today the very visual physical and financial destruction of businesses that were the dreams and livelihoods of so many are now in ashes, looted, destroyed. Attempts to protect property being met more often than not with violence.
We have decided to continue fundraising at this time exclusively and solely for the purpose of assisting small business owners, and as many Veteran-owned businesses impacted by the looting and rioting by the criminal element that sickeningly disguise themselves among the legitimate, bereaved, angry, protesters demanding change for good. We stand firmly for this change as well.
We ask you now to meet yet another challenge and that you open your hearts and join us in helping as many Veteran owned businesses as we possibly can to rebuild and provide for themselves a future for their families for years to come.
With Covid-19, like many small businesses, we suddenly had new and serious adversities to grapple with; nothing other families aren’t facing, that is for sure. Never far from our minds however is the work we still need to complete. Our thoughts, hearts, daily conversations are filled with how to move forward and about the tens of thousands of Veterans who are now even more isolated and in greater need than ever before.
TOPGUN Fighter Foundation is building the interventional side of suicide prevention, which is to be the facility for a crisis call center with qualified responders and senior level psychologists/social workers to oversee the incoming calls. For those veterans who want it, there is a plan in place for follow-up access to therapy overseen by a Board certified doctor, and of course also telehealth. Additionally, with a psycho social approach to the foundation’s work there will be access to educational/job/career counseling, mentors, near immediate access to jobs by way of commitments made from some large entities, a joint project with Paws4You (an extraordinary nonprofit no-kill refuge for lost, abandoned, neglected dogs until they find a forever home) just to rattle off a few of the crucial services. In the end, it’s about assisting veterans find purpose and reclaim their lives; full and active lives they so richly deserve, here, among those they swore to protect.
Today the situation is not pretty. It is dire: existing call centers overwhelmed. Abuse of all kinds rising. Substance abuse hotlines keep ringing, scant access to in-person 12-Step programs. Recidivism is higher than ever.
In addition to already being emotionally isolated, many suffering from PTSD, our bravest and most selfless veterans are even more at risk with the imposed physical isolation. The need to have programs, professionals, volunteer professionals and volunteers at large, ready to jump into action has never been greater. Be it by Skype or Zoom or telephone or however, the work needs to be done.
Please consider TOPGUN Fighter Foundation as your choice today. It will mean so much to us and to those we will be able to help rebuild. While the country waits for some decisions on how Covid-19 will be dealt with and the current climate of destruction and fear will be defeated, resources are needed to help Veterans and their small businesses rebuild. Only with your help can we offer assistance to the men and women who made so many sacrifices for us all and who have followed their dreams only to have them torn asunder.
Our goal is $100,000 - that is $12.45 per veteran suicide over the course of one year. That is a heart-rending number to place on a life and the business of someone who signed a blank check with their life to protect our rights and the VERY ability to demand the change we all seek in and for not only the African American community, but all our communities and our Republic.
Every dollar counts to you today, likely even more than ever and we know every life matters. The need to ask for help is not one taken lightly, so please know we have made the commitment to see the work through, to reach our goal, that we can all do more than sit at home and think about what we can, could, would, should do “when” things get better.
Veterans NEED US NOW. Never leave a wingman behind.
When we needed them - just like today’s front line workers- our Veterans literally ran, flew, parachuted, sailed and rode into danger FOR US.
Please help TGFF help the Veterans who need this help.
Team TOPGUN is so very grateful to you for taking this time and for considering helping in saving a dream, a business, a family, a life. Please remember: The very values, free speech, the right of assembly, freedom from persecution, are among the values our Veterans so valiantly and so often tragically fought to defend. Please remember, OUR FREEDOM WAS/IS NOT FREE.
A formidable team, E Matthew Buckley (click for Matt's Story), a former F-18 Navy Fighter pilot (call sign Whiz) turned much sought after keynote speaker, financial educator, author, using lessons learned during his 15+ years of service, and Nicole Champagne an entrepreneur and business owner, a former executive director, senior development officer for both small and large nonprofits. Both are committed to improving the lives, both professionally and personally, of Military Veterans.
We need your generosity of heart and spirit to help Veterans right now who are not only suffering from battle wounds seen and unseen, but in this moment, many are losing their businesses because of the horrific outbreak of violence gripping our country and whose impact will be painfully visible for years to come.
I am appealing to you with a humble and heavy heart as I feel the helplessness of those who've struggled to build in the civilian world, a world not always easy to be in. This is personal for me and for Matt. Over a year ago, we, Matt Buckley and Nicole Champagne, longtime good friends, small business owners, dog lovers and passionate about America, came together over our shared vision of dedicating our lives in service to the men and women who have served this grateful nation: our veterans. Matt himself served in the US Navy for 15 years as an F-18 fighter pilot.
Our mission: To make a meaningful impact in the prevention of veteran suicide and provide life changing options to build a life of their own design.
22 suicides a day. Almost 1 an hour. It's tough to get your head around, isn't it? I would dare say that number is higher today with the imposed lock down over the past 2-3 months. Now yet another unthinkable moment in our collective history: the very values our Veterans fought for are under siege. From the horrific death of an unarmed black CITIZEN, George Floyd, to the freedoms of speech, of assembly, of terror in our streets, in our homes, just freedom . FREEDOM not anarchy and destruction and decimation of hope. To do nothing to assist them now is to turn our backs to their sacrifice.
We are building TOPGUN Fighter Foundation and we are building just that: a foundation upon which can be built programs and services that can change lives of Veterans and those they love. Still today the mission has not changed, however circumstances have conspired to bring us further tragedies, challenges and despair.
We have been heartbroken over the tragic events in Minneapolis, the horrendous death of George Floyd. This is a tragedy in and of itself which has in turn brought evermore compounding tragedy . The implosion of small businesses around the country because of the Covid-19 shut down, and today the very visual physical and financial destruction of businesses that were the dreams and livelihoods of so many are now in ashes, looted, destroyed. Attempts to protect property being met more often than not with violence.
We have decided to continue fundraising at this time exclusively and solely for the purpose of assisting small business owners, and as many Veteran-owned businesses impacted by the looting and rioting by the criminal element that sickeningly disguise themselves among the legitimate, bereaved, angry, protesters demanding change for good. We stand firmly for this change as well.
We ask you now to meet yet another challenge and that you open your hearts and join us in helping as many Veteran owned businesses as we possibly can to rebuild and provide for themselves a future for their families for years to come.
With Covid-19, like many small businesses, we suddenly had new and serious adversities to grapple with; nothing other families aren’t facing, that is for sure. Never far from our minds however is the work we still need to complete. Our thoughts, hearts, daily conversations are filled with how to move forward and about the tens of thousands of Veterans who are now even more isolated and in greater need than ever before.
TOPGUN Fighter Foundation is building the interventional side of suicide prevention, which is to be the facility for a crisis call center with qualified responders and senior level psychologists/social workers to oversee the incoming calls. For those veterans who want it, there is a plan in place for follow-up access to therapy overseen by a Board certified doctor, and of course also telehealth. Additionally, with a psycho social approach to the foundation’s work there will be access to educational/job/career counseling, mentors, near immediate access to jobs by way of commitments made from some large entities, a joint project with Paws4You (an extraordinary nonprofit no-kill refuge for lost, abandoned, neglected dogs until they find a forever home) just to rattle off a few of the crucial services. In the end, it’s about assisting veterans find purpose and reclaim their lives; full and active lives they so richly deserve, here, among those they swore to protect.
Today the situation is not pretty. It is dire: existing call centers overwhelmed. Abuse of all kinds rising. Substance abuse hotlines keep ringing, scant access to in-person 12-Step programs. Recidivism is higher than ever.
In addition to already being emotionally isolated, many suffering from PTSD, our bravest and most selfless veterans are even more at risk with the imposed physical isolation. The need to have programs, professionals, volunteer professionals and volunteers at large, ready to jump into action has never been greater. Be it by Skype or Zoom or telephone or however, the work needs to be done.
Please consider TOPGUN Fighter Foundation as your choice today. It will mean so much to us and to those we will be able to help rebuild. While the country waits for some decisions on how Covid-19 will be dealt with and the current climate of destruction and fear will be defeated, resources are needed to help Veterans and their small businesses rebuild. Only with your help can we offer assistance to the men and women who made so many sacrifices for us all and who have followed their dreams only to have them torn asunder.
Our goal is $100,000 - that is $12.45 per veteran suicide over the course of one year. That is a heart-rending number to place on a life and the business of someone who signed a blank check with their life to protect our rights and the VERY ability to demand the change we all seek in and for not only the African American community, but all our communities and our Republic.
Every dollar counts to you today, likely even more than ever and we know every life matters. The need to ask for help is not one taken lightly, so please know we have made the commitment to see the work through, to reach our goal, that we can all do more than sit at home and think about what we can, could, would, should do “when” things get better.
Veterans NEED US NOW. Never leave a wingman behind.
When we needed them - just like today’s front line workers- our Veterans literally ran, flew, parachuted, sailed and rode into danger FOR US.
Please help TGFF help the Veterans who need this help.
Team TOPGUN is so very grateful to you for taking this time and for considering helping in saving a dream, a business, a family, a life. Please remember: The very values, free speech, the right of assembly, freedom from persecution, are among the values our Veterans so valiantly and so often tragically fought to defend. Please remember, OUR FREEDOM WAS/IS NOT FREE.
A formidable team, E Matthew Buckley (click for Matt's Story), a former F-18 Navy Fighter pilot (call sign Whiz) turned much sought after keynote speaker, financial educator, author, using lessons learned during his 15+ years of service, and Nicole Champagne an entrepreneur and business owner, a former executive director, senior development officer for both small and large nonprofits. Both are committed to improving the lives, both professionally and personally, of Military Veterans.
Fundraising team: Team TOPGUN (2)
Nicole Champagne
Organizer
Aventura, FL
Edward Buckley
Team member
