Dennis Miller to Serve as USA Cares Spokesperson
Nonprofit provides quality of life assistance to military families in need
Radcliff, KY Comedian and radio show host Dennis Miller announced today that he will serve as the National Spokesperson for USA Cares, a Kentucky-based nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to military families in need.
“I am honored to help our servicemen and women,” Miller said. “They are our warriors and they deserve to be celebrated.”
Continuing into their sixth year of noteworthy accomplishments, USA Cares has received requests from over 10,000 Service Members and their families and has responded with millions of dollars in organizational and outside resources. In partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation, USA Cares has also saved hundreds of military homes from foreclosure across the Nation.
“We are thrilled that Dennis Miller has agreed to speak on behalf of thousands and thousands of military families” said USA Cares Founder Roger Stradley. “His passion for the support of military families is equal to that of the USA Cares Team. We look forward to working with him to support our initiatives well into future.”
About Dennis Miller
Emmy award winner and four-time Writers’ Guild award winner, Dennis Miller offers his unique take on the day’s topics with comedy and satire on his daily radio show, The Dennis Miller Show, launched by Westwood One in March 2007. It's been said that Miller is "One of the premiere comedy talents in America today..." While others are blunt assessing Miller's comedic stature, Dennis himself makes a virtue of understatement, but there is nothing low key about his career.
Miller is a five-time Emmy award winner for his critically acclaimed half-hour, live talk show "Dennis Miller Live" which had a nine year run on HBO. He also wrote and starred in the Emmy-nominated cable comedy special "Raw Feed", his sixth such special. He was the host and executive producer of CNBC's "Dennis Miller", a topical interview talk show featuring reasoned discourse, opinion and humor. Additionally, Miller has appeared on many politically oriented television talk shows.
About USA Cares
USA Cares is a worldwide 501(c)(3)non-profit organization serving military service members of all ranks and branches and their families with direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues caused by military service. Funding for the organization is provided through the generous contributions of corporations, organizations and individuals. USA Cares continues to operate at a 90 percent ratio of contributed mission dollars. For more information on USA Cares contact us at jrevell@usacares.org and visit www.usacares.org.
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Friday, April 04, 2008
Thursday, April 03, 2008
USA Cares 5th Anniversary Gala
USA Cares Commemorates Five Years of Service to US Military Families with First Ever Fund Raising Gala
Louisville, KY q The historic Seelbach Hotel was the scene of USA Cares first ever gala in celebration of five years of service to US Military Families on Saturday, March 29th. Over 225 dignitaries and guests were on hand to share the event and to hear the keynote address by Lt. Colonel Oliver North, United States Marine Corps (Retired).
“The evening was a success on every level” said William H. “Bill” Nelson, the new Executive Director of USA Cares. He added “It started with a proclamation from Governor Steven L. Beshear signifying March 29th as USA Cares Day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We were also recognized by the National Commander of the nation’s largest veterans association, Martin F. Conatser of The American Legion.” He went on “And as if we were not already elated enough, the founder of USA Cares, Command Sergeant Major Roger Stradley, US Army (Retired) received the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award signed by Pete Geren. We were pleasantly amazed by this outpouring of support.”
Through sponsorships, donations, pledges and “in-kind” donations of every sort, USA Cares raised over $100,000 to continue its efforts to aid US Military Families with quality of life issues caused by a loved one’s service to our country in the ongoing War Against Terror.
Major General John Tindall, US Army (retired), President of USA Cares, commented in his address to the audience that “since we don’t send people to Disney World, we don’t always get the glamorous press that some other organizations get”. His other remarks were in thanks to all of those in the room but especially to those who were not there: The troops in the field. He made special mention of a dozen or so US soldiers in the audience from the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox. These soldiers, recuperating from wounds received in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom, were sponsored by donations and received a standing ovation from the entire crowd on their introduction as a group to the audience at large.
General Tindall said later “Colonel North’s talk was very well received. His perspective in covering Operation Iraqi Freedom for FOX News, his acclaimed War Stories series and his experience and valor as a decorated combat Marine made his comments especially credible.”
Colonel North, in his address said “One of the most memorable sights is to see Iraqi women exiting the polling place holding up that purple index finger signifying they had just cast their vote. You know that they did not vote to have their child be a suicide bomber because free people don’t do that kind of a thing.” He also noted that “These US service personnel in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom are all volunteers. It is the first time since our Colonial Forefathers rose up and fought for our independence that the entire United States military force consisted of ALL volunteers for the length of time that we have now been engaged in this particular effort.” Colonel North’s speech lasted approximately 30 minutes and received a number of breaks for applause and a standing ovation from the audience at its conclusion.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was WDRB Louisville, FOX 41 anchor Barry Bernson. An invocation was delivered by Chaplain Colonel Hugh Dukes, US Army (Retired). The Hilton Seelbach chef and staff served a wonderful “surf and turf” entrée of salmon and filet mignon with all the trimmings and the dessert, a red, white and blue tiered cake was first sliced with a ceremonial US cavalry saber by the trio of Major General John Tindall, Nausha Campbell, a Purple Heart Wife and USA Cares employee and Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.
A video entitled “From Sea to Shining Sea” conceived, produced, and edited by local business man and USA Cares Board Member Bob Manning was the next event for the audience. His five minutes of video encapsulated five years of USA Cares dedication in a succinct and moving way.
Another video featured Sergeant Byran Anderson, US Army (Retired). Sergeant Anderson received a Purple Heart in Operation Iraqi Freedom when his vehicle was impacted by a road-side improvised explosive device (IED) instantly severing both legs and one of his hands. Sgt. Anderson, now a USA Cares Spokesman, is now a working actor appearing in the soon to be released Batman film, a CSI New York episode and other films. He is also a spokesman for Quantum Rehabilitation. Sergeant Anderson is the inspiration for a new USA Cares program “Bryan’s Heart” that is being developed in response to the difficulties and expenses borne by Purple Heart Veterans and their families who have considerable travel expenses for medical treatments.
Finally, acknowledgement was given to the man who envisioned the initial idea for what would later become USA Cares. Steve Langford, the General Manger of WAVE-TV in Louisville, KY had the idea to sell signs and donate the proceeds to the families who made sacrifices when their loved one and often bread-winner left his or her job to serve in the military. “It amazes me to see that five years later, our simple idea has grown into a national organization helping the families of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard personnel as they make sacrifices to serve us and their country.” he said to the audience.
About USA Cares
USA Cares is a worldwide 501(c)(3)non-profit organization serving military service members of all ranks and branches and their families with direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues caused by military service. Continuing into their sixth year of noteworthy accomplishments, USA Cares has received requests from over 10,000 of Service Members and families and responded with millions of dollars in organizational and found resources. In partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation, USA Cares has also saved hundreds of military homes from foreclosure across the Nation. Funding for the organization is provided through the generous contributions of corporations, organizations and individuals. USA Cares continues to operate at a 90 percent ratio of contributed mission dollars. For more information on USA Cares contact us at jrevell@usacares.org and visit www.usacares.org.
End
Louisville, KY q The historic Seelbach Hotel was the scene of USA Cares first ever gala in celebration of five years of service to US Military Families on Saturday, March 29th. Over 225 dignitaries and guests were on hand to share the event and to hear the keynote address by Lt. Colonel Oliver North, United States Marine Corps (Retired).
“The evening was a success on every level” said William H. “Bill” Nelson, the new Executive Director of USA Cares. He added “It started with a proclamation from Governor Steven L. Beshear signifying March 29th as USA Cares Day in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We were also recognized by the National Commander of the nation’s largest veterans association, Martin F. Conatser of The American Legion.” He went on “And as if we were not already elated enough, the founder of USA Cares, Command Sergeant Major Roger Stradley, US Army (Retired) received the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award signed by Pete Geren. We were pleasantly amazed by this outpouring of support.”
Through sponsorships, donations, pledges and “in-kind” donations of every sort, USA Cares raised over $100,000 to continue its efforts to aid US Military Families with quality of life issues caused by a loved one’s service to our country in the ongoing War Against Terror.
Major General John Tindall, US Army (retired), President of USA Cares, commented in his address to the audience that “since we don’t send people to Disney World, we don’t always get the glamorous press that some other organizations get”. His other remarks were in thanks to all of those in the room but especially to those who were not there: The troops in the field. He made special mention of a dozen or so US soldiers in the audience from the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox. These soldiers, recuperating from wounds received in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom, were sponsored by donations and received a standing ovation from the entire crowd on their introduction as a group to the audience at large.
General Tindall said later “Colonel North’s talk was very well received. His perspective in covering Operation Iraqi Freedom for FOX News, his acclaimed War Stories series and his experience and valor as a decorated combat Marine made his comments especially credible.”
Colonel North, in his address said “One of the most memorable sights is to see Iraqi women exiting the polling place holding up that purple index finger signifying they had just cast their vote. You know that they did not vote to have their child be a suicide bomber because free people don’t do that kind of a thing.” He also noted that “These US service personnel in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom are all volunteers. It is the first time since our Colonial Forefathers rose up and fought for our independence that the entire United States military force consisted of ALL volunteers for the length of time that we have now been engaged in this particular effort.” Colonel North’s speech lasted approximately 30 minutes and received a number of breaks for applause and a standing ovation from the audience at its conclusion.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was WDRB Louisville, FOX 41 anchor Barry Bernson. An invocation was delivered by Chaplain Colonel Hugh Dukes, US Army (Retired). The Hilton Seelbach chef and staff served a wonderful “surf and turf” entrée of salmon and filet mignon with all the trimmings and the dessert, a red, white and blue tiered cake was first sliced with a ceremonial US cavalry saber by the trio of Major General John Tindall, Nausha Campbell, a Purple Heart Wife and USA Cares employee and Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.
A video entitled “From Sea to Shining Sea” conceived, produced, and edited by local business man and USA Cares Board Member Bob Manning was the next event for the audience. His five minutes of video encapsulated five years of USA Cares dedication in a succinct and moving way.
Another video featured Sergeant Byran Anderson, US Army (Retired). Sergeant Anderson received a Purple Heart in Operation Iraqi Freedom when his vehicle was impacted by a road-side improvised explosive device (IED) instantly severing both legs and one of his hands. Sgt. Anderson, now a USA Cares Spokesman, is now a working actor appearing in the soon to be released Batman film, a CSI New York episode and other films. He is also a spokesman for Quantum Rehabilitation. Sergeant Anderson is the inspiration for a new USA Cares program “Bryan’s Heart” that is being developed in response to the difficulties and expenses borne by Purple Heart Veterans and their families who have considerable travel expenses for medical treatments.
Finally, acknowledgement was given to the man who envisioned the initial idea for what would later become USA Cares. Steve Langford, the General Manger of WAVE-TV in Louisville, KY had the idea to sell signs and donate the proceeds to the families who made sacrifices when their loved one and often bread-winner left his or her job to serve in the military. “It amazes me to see that five years later, our simple idea has grown into a national organization helping the families of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard personnel as they make sacrifices to serve us and their country.” he said to the audience.
About USA Cares
USA Cares is a worldwide 501(c)(3)non-profit organization serving military service members of all ranks and branches and their families with direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues caused by military service. Continuing into their sixth year of noteworthy accomplishments, USA Cares has received requests from over 10,000 of Service Members and families and responded with millions of dollars in organizational and found resources. In partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation, USA Cares has also saved hundreds of military homes from foreclosure across the Nation. Funding for the organization is provided through the generous contributions of corporations, organizations and individuals. USA Cares continues to operate at a 90 percent ratio of contributed mission dollars. For more information on USA Cares contact us at jrevell@usacares.org and visit www.usacares.org.
End
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
CFC and USA Cares
USA Cares has its own CFC number. 12359
Why is that important? For the past nearly five years, we have not solicited or allowed our clients to either pay us back, or send us donations specifically tied to a grant we provided them. So we have turned away 7,000 possible donors.
For a non-profit, that might not be smart, but that is how we are doing it. Now, through CFC, we are in the position to allow all federal employees who want to help those who serve assist each other.
Why select us for your CFC contribution? I think there are several reasons.
One. We don’t loan money. AER, Navy Relief and other similar protected agencies, loan money, true, it is without interest, but a loan is a loan, and in this case, the first one that gets repaid. A recent article in a national magazine stated that over 90% of all AER assistance was with loans. We don’t loan money. Nor do we submit our clients to detailing their entire life history.
Two. We are responsive. There are lots of organizations that say much of the same things that we say we do, but the truth of the matter is, their response time is measured in weeks and months. If we have all the requested information, and we can get a hold of the client, we can open and work the case in hours. We do that almost routinely with families who have no food.
Three. We are responsible. It is one thing to say that we have helped 7,000 families. But that is not what we say. We say that 7,000 have come to us for assistance, but many are outside our mission statement, or Veterans from an earlier time and we just can’t help 20 million families, or we are approached for assistance with almost bogus requests, that are easily uncovered as almost fraudulent.
We are receiving over 100 new clients a week. We have nine people who work these cases along with another ten volunteers. They are overwhelmed. I am at a loss to hear other organizations say that they are working thousands of cases with only three people. (Some hired out of a temp agency) How is that possible? Maybe it isn't.
Four. We are accountable. We have been audited twice; we share our reconciled bank statements as a fact. Not a secret. We have a board of directors who care about how we are doing, and take an active interest in the direction and efforts that the staff makes everyday. When asked how much of a donation really goes to the family, our answer is (from our audit) 93% does, we will match that with anyone. Our ultimate goal is 100% once we find that national organization that wants to underwrite our operations end so that all donations go toward the mission of caring for our families.
That is why 12359 is the right number to chose on your CFC contribution form. Why: Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtuX1xtCZE
Or you could give it to an organization that provides entertainers a free ride to Iraq to entertain the troops and be paid for it. Yes, Martha, all expenses are paid, and the entertainer reserves all the video rights for later self-promotion.
Your call.
Roger
Why is that important? For the past nearly five years, we have not solicited or allowed our clients to either pay us back, or send us donations specifically tied to a grant we provided them. So we have turned away 7,000 possible donors.
For a non-profit, that might not be smart, but that is how we are doing it. Now, through CFC, we are in the position to allow all federal employees who want to help those who serve assist each other.
Why select us for your CFC contribution? I think there are several reasons.
One. We don’t loan money. AER, Navy Relief and other similar protected agencies, loan money, true, it is without interest, but a loan is a loan, and in this case, the first one that gets repaid. A recent article in a national magazine stated that over 90% of all AER assistance was with loans. We don’t loan money. Nor do we submit our clients to detailing their entire life history.
Two. We are responsive. There are lots of organizations that say much of the same things that we say we do, but the truth of the matter is, their response time is measured in weeks and months. If we have all the requested information, and we can get a hold of the client, we can open and work the case in hours. We do that almost routinely with families who have no food.
Three. We are responsible. It is one thing to say that we have helped 7,000 families. But that is not what we say. We say that 7,000 have come to us for assistance, but many are outside our mission statement, or Veterans from an earlier time and we just can’t help 20 million families, or we are approached for assistance with almost bogus requests, that are easily uncovered as almost fraudulent.
We are receiving over 100 new clients a week. We have nine people who work these cases along with another ten volunteers. They are overwhelmed. I am at a loss to hear other organizations say that they are working thousands of cases with only three people. (Some hired out of a temp agency) How is that possible? Maybe it isn't.
Four. We are accountable. We have been audited twice; we share our reconciled bank statements as a fact. Not a secret. We have a board of directors who care about how we are doing, and take an active interest in the direction and efforts that the staff makes everyday. When asked how much of a donation really goes to the family, our answer is (from our audit) 93% does, we will match that with anyone. Our ultimate goal is 100% once we find that national organization that wants to underwrite our operations end so that all donations go toward the mission of caring for our families.
That is why 12359 is the right number to chose on your CFC contribution form. Why: Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtuX1xtCZE
Or you could give it to an organization that provides entertainers a free ride to Iraq to entertain the troops and be paid for it. Yes, Martha, all expenses are paid, and the entertainer reserves all the video rights for later self-promotion.
Your call.
Roger
Doing What is Right with Wounded Warriors
Recently National Public Radio ran a two part story about one of the families that we had found us and that we instantly became motivated to try to make a difference with. How this all turns out in the end, we still don't know, but I do know this. We can't allow those who are in positions of responsibility and authority to hand out entitlements like some kind of gift that is won.
These young men and women who are injured serving our country haven't "won" anything. They earned it, as sure as earning their paycheck. Why some bureaucrats feel like they should push back every opportunity to help a wounded warrior is beyond me.
Then there is the situation of the Veterans Administration. Several things have been chewing at me here recently, and one of them is the fact that they acknowledge (In a report to the President of all things) that if a Veteran appeals his or her rating, the wait time can be as long as 635 days. How can that be okay with anyone? How can we tolerate that, why should a Veteran tolerate that?
Then there is the method that the VA begins compensation payment to the newly wounded Veteran and his family. After the Veterans is medically retired, they receive half of their base pay at time of separation. Even if the VA knows the rating that they have “awarded” (there is that word again) they do not begin payment until they have in effect, skipped a month. Why do they get to skip a month?
The Veteran didn’t skip a month. Countrywide or Wells Fargo, don’t skip a month, eating didn’t skip a month, nor did the utility company. I don’t think they should get a free pass, unless some mandates that everybody else has to take a pass too.
It wasn’t comfortable taking on my friends in Colorado, but this was a fight that had to be done. We made every effort to make the system work. It didn’t.
If you are a recently retired wounded veteran, how long did it take from the date of your retirement to the time of your first VA check? They are telling us that it is 60-90 days. I don’t think that is right. Not according to the families we have asked.
Send any comments to me at rstradley@usacares.us
Roger
Links to NPR stories: NPR : < http://216.35.221.77/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14350593> Wounded Soldier's Family Feels Forgotten by Army - BERKES: Thirty-seven year old Reece Hinkle quit her job as a corporate ... Ms. REECE HINKLE: If the right thing needed to be done, he wanted to be right in ... NPR < http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14360278&ft=1&f=1012> : Wounded Soldier's Care Tangled in Military System Reece Hinkle on Receiving Her Husband's Photo . Ron Hinkle's military awards and medals . Enlarge. Marisa Penaloza, NPR. Among the medals in the Hinkles' ...
These young men and women who are injured serving our country haven't "won" anything. They earned it, as sure as earning their paycheck. Why some bureaucrats feel like they should push back every opportunity to help a wounded warrior is beyond me.
Then there is the situation of the Veterans Administration. Several things have been chewing at me here recently, and one of them is the fact that they acknowledge (In a report to the President of all things) that if a Veteran appeals his or her rating, the wait time can be as long as 635 days. How can that be okay with anyone? How can we tolerate that, why should a Veteran tolerate that?
Then there is the method that the VA begins compensation payment to the newly wounded Veteran and his family. After the Veterans is medically retired, they receive half of their base pay at time of separation. Even if the VA knows the rating that they have “awarded” (there is that word again) they do not begin payment until they have in effect, skipped a month. Why do they get to skip a month?
The Veteran didn’t skip a month. Countrywide or Wells Fargo, don’t skip a month, eating didn’t skip a month, nor did the utility company. I don’t think they should get a free pass, unless some mandates that everybody else has to take a pass too.
It wasn’t comfortable taking on my friends in Colorado, but this was a fight that had to be done. We made every effort to make the system work. It didn’t.
If you are a recently retired wounded veteran, how long did it take from the date of your retirement to the time of your first VA check? They are telling us that it is 60-90 days. I don’t think that is right. Not according to the families we have asked.
Send any comments to me at rstradley@usacares.us
Roger
Links to NPR stories: NPR : < http://216.35.221.77/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14350593> Wounded Soldier's Family Feels Forgotten by Army - BERKES: Thirty-seven year old Reece Hinkle quit her job as a corporate ... Ms. REECE HINKLE: If the right thing needed to be done, he wanted to be right in ... NPR < http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14360278&ft=1&f=1012> : Wounded Soldier's Care Tangled in Military System Reece Hinkle on Receiving Her Husband's Photo . Ron Hinkle's military awards and medals . Enlarge. Marisa Penaloza, NPR. Among the medals in the Hinkles' ...
Friday, March 02, 2007
I Care Too!
USA CARES’ GOAL:
Get a representative T-shirt for every service member in Iraq and Afghanistan (that is 165,000 Americans and T-shirts!) to show our troops just how much we do care and support them.
THE BENEFIT:
OUTREACH –USA Cares wants to be a well-known name in every community. This program will help us seek out military families who are unaware of USA Cares’ existence and don’t know of our ability to provide assistance.We want to be their first and only call!
PUBLIC AWARENESS –Help USA Cares and this campaign become well-known to non-military families too by spreading the word about “I Care Too!”.What a perfect way for Americans to show their support for our troops!
STRENGTHEN USA CARES –It is USA Cares’ hope that the “I Care Too!”campaign will raise enough money for our non-profit to underwrite all operational expenses. That means 100 percent of all donated funds will go straight to military families.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO:
●Purchase the “I Care Too!”T-shirt or polo shirt via the order form at www.icaretoo.us.
●Put the shirt on, go to the nearest city sign or well-known landmark in your local community and take a picture with the sign or landmark in the background.
●Email the photo to icaretoo@usacares.us.Be sure to identify the landmark,your city and state. We will not publish your email address or name.
●USA Cares will post your photo on the “I Care Too!”website (www.icaretoo.us)
along with all the other participants.
●Tell a friend about “I Care Too!”and encourage them to participate!
Help USA Cares support our troops and their families by showing America that
“I CARE TOO!”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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