September 16-20, 2024
Send Me Outdoors
(A Veteran Founded Nonprofit Organization)
MASW Charity Events
2024 MASW Charity Events:
CLASS: A Charity Event for Send Me Outdoors
WHO: This workshop is only open to SMO members
DATE: September 16-20, 2024
COST: $250 tax deductible donation to SMO to sponsor an American Patriot.
Donations can be mailed to MASW (5504 E 500 N, Franklin, IN 46131),
the donation check must be made payable to Send Me Outdoors
WORKSHOP PAGE: Click here to visit page!
A Note from Ben Willhite
Throughout the Special Operations community, the phrase “Send Me” invokes a special passion. It originates from a biblical prophet Isaiah, who, when hearing of a need, responded “Here am I; send me!” Throughout their military careers service members say: “Send Me!” over and over again, whether for deployments, training, or moving across the world. Although they normally return, sometimes they do not – at least not entirely. They leave remnants of their minds and bodies around the world in both a literal and physical sense. Service members are now retiring after 20 years of service, all of which was spent on a wartime footing. They are exhausted physically and mentally, yet still when the opportunity arises, they are the first to say, “Send Me!”
The mission of Send Me Outdoors is to provide opportunities for military and first responder veterans and their families to develop strong social connections while enhancing their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through acts of service and activities in an outdoor setting. Their members know firsthand how important it is to stay connected and active through service and outdoor adventure. “We work together to do better and be better.”
Many veterans struggle with finding purpose in their post-military lives. I believe that MASW can help bridge those gaps. Last year during our kickoff charity event, we saw firsthand how members from SMO benefited in the creative and healing spirit of a week at MASW. Today, veterans from all wars face many challenges, and we know from experience that the best solution to those problems often comes from being around peers or mentors that have also “been there and done that”.
The purpose of this week is to give those who have given so much of themselves, while keeping us safe, a place to spend time together, reflecting on and recovering from the difficult duties they heroically performed.
Participants from SMO and first responders will take the Basic Woodworking class which will teach woodworking fundamentals such as safety, hand skills and machine theory. By the end of the week, each participant will make a beautiful, steamed cherry nightstand.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
It has been reported that each day, seven military or first responders take their own life. In the most recent update from the VA – click to read: 2022-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report – approximately 17 veterans took their lives every day. This is approximately 60% higher than the civilian population, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for veterans under the age of 45. It’s incomprehensible for those of us who have never served in harm’s way to understand the daily challenges they face, both while in the service and after.
Consider Sponsoring a Send Me Outdoor Participant
I am asking for your support. MASW will cover all the costs for the participants including the class, materials, meals and room and board. We are asking our incredibly generous alumni to make a tax-deductible donation of $250 or more to support the organization Send Me Outdoors.
This workshop is designed to be a “getaway” for those service people who are struggling with life AND will only be reserved for members of the SMO family. For more information on how you can join or support the SMO team contact Ben Willhite at his email.
Please consider a sponsorship of one or more participants. If we can get 100 alumni to donate the minimum of $250, we can raise $25,000 which can give SMO a great foundation to continue their incredible work. Checks should be sent to MASW but made out to Send Me Outdoors. Send Me Outdoors is a non-profit organization developed by veterans for veterans.
Here is how last year’s charity event helped….
Marc,
This box was presented to Mariah Smith, Gold Star sister of Senior Chief Shannon Kent, by the Send Me Outdoors team. We invited her to join our team for the Boston Marathon’s Tough Ruck and presented it to her in a small ceremony there.
Senior Chief Kent was killed in action on 16 January 2019 in Manbij, Syria. She was the only U.S. female service member who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Syria conflict. She was killed alongside three of her partners – Scotty Wirtz, CW2 Jonathan Farmer, and Ghadir Taher – while conducting a special operation intelligence mission. A fantastic recounting of her story can be found at by clicking here.
She was a hero to all of us.
Mariah is truly appreciative of this box and will treasure it as a reminder of her sister. She will store memorabilia related to Shannon as pictured here. She is excited about becoming an active member of the Send Me Outdoors fellowship, helping others become better versions of themselves through engagement in an outdoor environment.