MASW Special Events

The Greatest Gift in Making, Is Giving

September 8-12, 2026 (Tues to Sat)

A Charity Event for Send Me Outdoors (SMO)

A charity event to honor those who have served this country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice

Class size: 20 people

A Note from Ben Willhite

Throughout the Special Operations community, the phrase “Send Me” invokes a special passion. It originates from a biblical prophet 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 twenty 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 well-being through acts of service and activities in outdoor settings. 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 these gaps. In 2024 during our SMO charity event, we saw firsthand how members from SMO benefited from 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 who 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 and recovering from the difficult duties they heroically performed.

How Can You Help?

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 $300 or more to support the organization Send Me Outdoors. If we can get 100 alumni to donate, we can raise a minimum of $30,000, which will give SMO a great foundation to continue their incredible work.

Here’s the Plan

This workshop will consist of each person making two very special Memory Boxes. One will be for them to keep, and the other will be to give to someone who has been very special in their life. These Memory Boxes will involve intricate marquetry, unique ornamentation, exposed fine joinery, and will be made from some of the finest woods available today. Participants will learn woodworking fundamentals such as safety, hand skills, and machine theory. By the end of the week, each participant will have two beautiful boxes.

NO PREVIOUS WOODWORKING SKILLS ARE NECESSARY.

Thank You for Your Support

MASW Special Events Summer 2026

Use the links below to visit any of our charity pages.

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