Heroes and Horses Q2 2020 Newsletter
A NOTE FROM OUR CEO & FOUNDER, MICAH FINK
Today our Nation faces times of great uncertainty, civil unrest, and an unpredictable future that will, without a doubt, produce a new “normal”. Heroes and Horses’ response is not scaling down, but rather looking to grow in the face of this great test of our time. It’s what we do.
Hope is not found in a pill bottle, beer bottle, Instagram post, or a 24-hour news cycle. Deep inside each human exists the desire to move forward and find meaning, regardless of the situation or circumstances. Hope is an ally in our journey, but only if we can discover and recognize that we're not victims of this life, accept change, and become active participants in life. Our true role and purpose will be determined by the authentic choices we make in the face of life's adversity. It's these authentic choices that will show us who we are, and allow us to build our confidence - confidence that is not based on a created system, but based on what we’ve cultivated within ourselves.
Professional titles, degrees, jobs, or possessions can not shield us when the meaning of our existence is brought into question, or when our connection to the world we know shuts down. Today’s environment gives us the perfect opportunity to stop looking out for answers and begin the journey of looking in as we accept change and learn to not let the outside affect the inside of us.
From day 1, Heroes and Horses' mission was to redefine the relationship between challenge and purpose, and that mission holds true today. Working in a demographic that is rife with astonishingly high suicide rates, drug use, and unemployment, these changes we are facing today have taken a huge toll on those individuals, with numbers expected to reach 140,000 self-inflicted deaths by veterans by the end of 2020. Loss of meaning, environmental changes, and substance abuse within this community all contribute to these numbers.
We don’t claim to have all of the answers to the hard questions - what we do have is an effective 41-day program that provides our veteran participants with the tools to find those answers and solutions themselves. We are here to support our veterans through a process of self-discovery, because self-discovery must come before “self help” - you can’t help what you don’t know.
As always, I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting our mission. Our hearts are with each one of you as you face down the challenges presented to you during these uncertain times.
- Micah Fink | Founder/CEO
AN UPDATE ON OUR 2020 PROGRAM
In response to COVID-19, Heroes and Horses made the difficult (but, ultimately, safe) decision to cancel classes 1 and 2 this year. That said, we are driving forward with our 3rd class which will begin July 31st and run through September 8th. We also increased the number of participants in that class from 8 to 12.
THE HEROES AND HORSES CHANGE THROUGH CHALLENGE MARATHON
At the core of our philosophy here at Heroes and Horses is the idea that it is struggle that gives our lives value and purpose. Not only that, but there is also something about SHARED struggle that brings people together, even under the most trying circumstances. Sometimes we need a reminder of how strong we are, and how capable we are of overcoming external challenges. So, we figured why not create an opportunity for our supporters to connect through shared struggle while also conquering a collective goal?
Heroes and Horses is hosting a virtual walk/run to raise funds for our organization September 6-8, 2020. We will be asking participants to walk or run a 26.2 mile marathon in support of Heroes and Horses and the veterans we serve.
The 26.2 miles MUST be completed all at once (hey, this is #notavacation after all), but you can choose which day to complete it (September 6th, 7th or 8th), and it can be done from anywhere - on a treadmill, up a mountain, around your town, wherever. You also have the option to enter with a team, and team members can pool their miles to complete the 26.2 miles.
Our fundraising goal is to collectively raise $250,000 to go towards supporting our mission at Heroes and Horses. We are encouraging each participant to set a personal goal of raising, at least, $250.
The Heroes and Horses Team - along with our 2020 graduating class of veterans - will be walking the 26.2 miles as a group on September 8th here in Bozeman, Montana. Participants are more than welcome to join us either virtually or in-person (adhering to any social-distancing protocol outlined by the CDC at that time) on that day. Stay tuned for time and route details.
We also have a ton of great high-value sponsorship opportunities for this event. Want to learn more? CLICK HERE to view our sponsorship packet.
THE 3RD ANNUAL HEROES AND HORSES FUNDRAISING GALA
The 3rd Annual Heroes and Horses Fundraising Gala is taking place on October 24th at 5:30PM at The Commons here in Bozeman, Montana. Last year we raised almost $600,000 to support our mission though this one-of-a-kind fundraising event, and we are hopeful that we will be able to continue with the tradition this year. We will, of course, adhere to any local government and CDC guidelines regarding in-person events that are still in place come event day.
Interested in learning more about becoming an event sponsor? CLICK HERE to view our gala sponsorship packet.
NEEDS FOR OUR 2020 PROGRAM
Despite having to modify our programming this year due to COVID-19, we are excited to announce that we will still be running one class this year from July 31st - September 8th. The following are needs that we still have for running this years program:
2 grills: propane or Trager
Food (bulk): fruit, nuts, beef, salad/veggies, canned chicken, etc. (we adhere to a strict Whole30 diet during our program, so all food must fall within those guidelines)
Sunscreen: 20 bottles
Please contact our Program Manager, Chris Bova (Chris@heroesandhorses.org) if you would like to assist with any of these program needs.
NOW HIRING: SEASONAL HEAD CHEF POSITION
Our organization is currently seeking a full-time seasonal position, July 31st, 2020 - September 9th 2020, as Head Chef. This person would be responsible for providing meals for students and staff during Heroes and Horses program, preparing meals that align with a wholefood diet, ordering food and cleaning/ organizing kitchen and appliances. In addition, Head chef is responsible for general cleaning and maintaining meal records
A HUGE ‘THANK YOU’ TO OUR 2020 CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SPONSORS:
Our program would not be possible without the ongoing support of some incredible partners.
WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM:
Sponsor a member of our herd through our Adopt-A-Horse Program: Our horses and mules are our most valued team members - without them, our program wouldn’t exist. It’s a huge responsibility to make sure that they remain healthy and happy year-around, and our Adopt-A-Horse members make that possible.
Purchase a much-needed item from our “Wish List”: As a nonprofit, we rely heavily on in-kind donations – it’s not often that we can just buy what we need. On our “wish list”, you can view the items that we are in need of, and that will allow us to serve our combat veterans as efficiently as possible.
Host an independent fundraiser for Heroes and Horses: Our Independent Fundraisers play an enormous role in supporting our organization.
Donate: All donations - big, small and in-between - make a significant impact on our ability to continue to run the most innovative and effective veteran reintegration program in the United States
H&H MERCHANDISE:
Check out some of our most popular sellers below, modeled by our very own H&H staff members.
