Help a war vet readjust to civilian life
Tamarack Retirement Community, 55 S. Greeley in Palatine, will host an apple pie tasting open to the public at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 to support the Outward Bound for Veterans program.
Many veterans, hardened by the realities of war, face depression, drug and alcohol abuse, failed personal relationships and unemployment as they struggle to readjust to civilian life. The Outward Bound for Veterans program, a not-for profit 501(c), provides challenging learning expeditions to encourage healing and rebuild confidence.
Outward Bound for Veterans helps returning service members and recent veterans readjust to life at home through powerful wilderness courses that draw on the teamwork and challenge through use of the natural world.
“I can now finally return whole to my family after 18 months of living as a stranger. The renewed perspective that this unique program provided me has brought home the ‘old me’ who was left in Iraq,” said one veteran who participated in the program. “There is no measure for the healing I received from Outward Bound.”
The cost for one veteran to complete an Outward Bound course is $2,000 and there is currently a waiting list of more than 500 veterans.
Holiday Retirement’s more than 300 communities, of which Tamarack is one, are collaborating to raise funds for this unique program in hopes of allowing more than 600 veterans to participate. Holiday Retirement will also match every dollar donated.
Donations are accepted and each donor will receive a free apple pie. Cider will also be served. Tamarack will host an additional fundraising event on Nov. 12. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
To RSVP call Tamarack at (847) 991-4700. Donations can also be made online at www.holidaytouch.com/outwardbound.