Elizabeth Dole Foundation

We are excited to announce that our partners at Reach Resilience have made a generous donation of $200K to the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation Fund for Critical Assistance to support families in our community impacted by the recent hurricanes. This contribution will significantly benefit our military and veteran caregiver community, enabling us to continue our vital work in supporting those impacted by catastrophic events. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Reach Resilience for their commitment to this cause. Thank you for helping us make a difference! ?? Visit our website for more information on disaster relief resources and to apply for Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation Fund for Critical Assistance. https://lnkd.in/edyUEYsr

It is with great pleasure that we announce the addition of two new leaders to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Babs Chase has officially joined EDF as Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, where she continues to lead the Foundation’s work as the Executive Director of the Face The Fight Coalition. Babs brings a diverse and extensive background in government, nonprofit, and corporate outreach. She has served in a number of key roles with The Manufacturing Institute, U.S. Army Executive Outreach, and in the Administration of George W. Bush in the Offices of the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Labor, and the Department of State Foreign Press Center. She is also a 2021 graduate of the George W. Bush Institute’s Veteran Leadership Program. Her ability to build strong strategic alliances, combined with her passion for addressing the most pressing issues facing the military community, makes her leadership pivotal in advancing the Foundation’s mission. Meredith Beck has been named Vice President for Government Affairs and Community Engagement. With over 20 years of dedication to the veteran caregiver, and military communities, Meredith brings invaluable experience to the Foundation team. Having recently been appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Family, Caregivers, and Survivors, Meredith’s extensive background on Capitol Hill, where she worked with the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has made her a trusted leader in advancing key policies and programs that benefit our nation’s heroes and their loved ones. Please join us in congratulating Babs and Meredith.

The NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) has just announced the 2024 NACD Directorship 100? honorees and our very own Board Chairman, Secretary Bob McDonald, has been named Nonprofit Director of the Year! ?? ?? This annual list celebrates the exceptional corporate directors and governance experts shaping boardroom excellence. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is proud to have Secretary Bob's wisdom and experience to help lead our mission. And we’re lucky to share that with the West Point Association of Graduates, where he also serves as Board Chairman. Secretary Bob is making a real impact in our ability to serve military and veteran caregivers, their servicemembers and veterans, and families. Please join us in celebrating this outstanding recognition!

In the wake of Hurricane Helene and in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation is committed to helping military and veteran caregivers and their families as they recover from these storms. To supplement the numerous disaster relief resources available, we have dedicated resources through our Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation Fund for Critical Assistance that will go directly to those impacted by these natural disasters. We have already started deploying those financial grants. As our nation comes together to support those in need, we encourage you to access all available resources including https://lnkd.in/f58_yJc and others for information, mental health services, and financial assistance. Below is a list of resources and organizations that are a vital lifeline for those affected by these storms. For more on the Foundation's efforts and to access our available resources, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/edyUEYsr Emergency Financial Assistance: Individual Assistance | https://FEMA.gov https://lnkd.in/eYuK6xs Army Emergency Relief https://lnkd.in/dGzk3XtS Soldiers' Angels https://lnkd.in/ebat_Zx Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) https://lnkd.in/eAGQSm-f Operation Homefront https://lnkd.in/gd96AZw Navy Marine Corps Relief Society https://lnkd.in/giFR73cq Important Disaster Information: Disaster Relief to Veterans Brochure (https://va.gov) https://www.va.gov/ VA Guidance on Natural Disasters https://lnkd.in/e6fAQHJA... Veterans | https://lnkd.in/e3fyDdM https://lnkd.in/gAprYC-K Disaster Relief Services | American Red Cross https://lnkd.in/e98yyQUK Resources to Help if You Have Survived a Disaster | United Way Worldwide https://lnkd.in/e7fMC8wP... The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services https://lnkd.in/gM6f6aP Misc: https://lnkd.in/eBDvpvQV https://lnkd.in/dcv925Z https://lnkd.in/eBX3DHux Mental Health: Veteran Crisis Line Dial 988, press 1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Help tel:18009855990

Yesterday I had the chance to join members of the Veteran and military community, including Ford Veteran employees, at the?Proud to Honor Bronco Off-Roadeo?in Horseshoe Bay, TX.? ? Ford Motor Company has a long history of supporting the military community. It is our responsibility as a great American company to do our part serving those who have done so much to serve our country.? ? That’s why we hosted members of the veteran and military community at our Bronco off-roading school outside Austin, TX.? ? Thank you Blue Star Families, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Guitars For Vets, Inc., The Saber Six Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Team Rubicon, Travis Manion Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for joining us. And thank you to Horseshoe Bay Resort for your generous support.? ? My hope is that by experiencing the outdoors and off roading together, members of this deserving community can build camaraderie, connections and experience joy.?

A huge thank you to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation! We recently gained an even better appreciation for the incredible sacrifice that military caregivers make – and how too often they are taken for granted. Last week, the Foundation-sponsored RAND Veteran’s Survey revealed that there are now 14.3 million military/veteran caregivers. These selfless ‘hidden heroes’ are at a higher risk of depression – 43 percent who care for those 60 years or older meet the criteria, and 20 percent have considered taking their own lives in the past year. Military/Veteran caregivers contribute $485 billion annually to our economy, while incurring $8,583 out of pocket costs during that same period.? EMD Serono, Inc. through our Embracing Carers program, is proud to share a commitment with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to not only raise awareness of this sacrifice, but to work together to honor caregivers and give them the tools that improve the quality of their lives. Thank you to Foundation Chairman Bob McDonald and his wife Diane McDonald, as well as CEO Steven Schwab for including the EMD Serono team at the Foundation’s 9th Annual National Convening event. https://lnkd.in/eBrvCAX9

After Hurricane Helene has devastated many communities and impacted countless lives, MOAA is at the ready to help. Whether you’d like to donate or you need assistance, go to MOAA.org or check the comments for more information. A special thanks to Brian T. Kelly for helping us spread the word, as well as to Amanda Centers, CFRE and Genelle Cox for their leadership on our development team!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Caregiver Financial Journey, a comprehensive resource developed by in partnership with The USAA Educational Foundation. This innovative tool was designed with and for military and veteran caregivers to help them achieve financial wellness. Inspired by the latest RAND report, this guide addresses the financial challenges caregivers face, from healthcare costs to navigating benefit programs. It’s time to empower yourself with the knowledge and resources you deserve! Resource features include: ?? Tailored educational content ?? Interactive tools to explore at your own pace ??Customized information for spouses, parents, family members, and friends supporting wounded, ill, or injured loved ones Visit the link below and take the first step on your journey to financial empowerment! https://lnkd.in/eXPjtuRu

Senator Elizabeth Dole and the entire Dole Foundation community send President Carter our warmest wishes on his 100th birthday. Today, we celebrate you for a lifetime of selfless service to our nation and world. This nation is a better place because of your leadership and work on behalf of so many important causes. ??

I am honored to have been part of something truly special yesterday at Amazon HQ2. We hosted the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's 9th Annual Convening on Military Caregiving, bringing together hundreds of attendees from all over the country, including more than 150 military caregivers. ? The energy on campus was incredible. Welcoming Senator Elizabeth Dole, Former Secretary Robert McDonald, Senator Tillis of North Carolina, Senator Duckworth of Illinois, and several other impactful voices really underscored the importance of this convening. Of all the conversations had, the most critical was the unveiling of a 10-year, nationwide study that RAND researchers presented on the state of caregivers, sharing that the estimated number of Americans caring for a wounded service member is approximately 14.3 million people. They're the unsung heroes supporting heroes, and I have tremendous admiration for organizations like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who are working to make a real difference for military caregivers. ? This is a deeply personal mission for many of us at Amazon. We recently achieved our goal of hiring over 100,000 veterans and military spouses, and our Warriors at Amazon team plays a huge role in supporting veterans and their families, helping them to grow their careers and find community here at Amazon. ? We look forward to being part of the conversation about how we can better support America’s military caregivers in the years ahead. #EDFConvening2024 #HiddenHeroes Steven Schwab Christian Hoff Jamie Baker Dr Rowland Illing Allyson Fryhoff Frances Lanzone Alexandra Boarts Anna Steinberg Crystal Bounds, CPHIMS Cathy Rivera Christine M. Audrey Reinke Travis Oostmeyer Mary Beth Smarsh Jennifer Held Liz Martin Susan Buikema-Miller David Levy