Heart Of A Marine Foundation placing Veterans First
"Veterans First" is the new masthead and motto for The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, but it is so much more than a saying or logo. Keeping Veterans First, for The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, is an organizational lifestyle.
"Keeping veterans first means to be aware of their changing needs," said Roy Frank, Gold Star Dad and Co-Founder of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation. "We continually research and evaluate the needs of our vets," Frank continued. "The Heart Of A Marine Foundation stands ready and flexible to assist wherever and whenever we can."
In keeping with the ever changing needs of our military and veterans, The Heart Of A Marine Foundation initiated a new program in 2017, Morale Up! Barbara Matsukes, Executive Director of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation explains, "Morale Up! is an "at ease" program designed to give veterans, their family members, and care givers a chance to unwind, take a break, take a breath, and regroup". The Heart Of A Marine Foundation provides spa day retreats and dinners for veteran care takers, days and evenings out to professional sporting events for vets and their families, and donates entertainment systems to veteran homeless shelters and veterans centers.
Through the Morale Up! Program, The Heart Of A Marine Foundation was pleased to donate 15 new guitars to a veteran center in Florida.
"We were on vacation, and as always, Roy and I are on the lookout to see if there were any veterans that The Foundation may assist," explains Georgette Frank, Gold Star Mom and Co-founder of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, "and we came across the local veteran center. We spoke with the facility directors, one thing lead to another, and The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is proud to initiate the center's music therapy program for veterans. They will have a graduation concert in August, and Roy and I will most certainly be in attendance!"
Matthew Standish, the Public Relations representative and Veterans Outreach Specialist for the Florida vet center commented, "This donation has given the staff and clients a new and beautiful form of therapy while teaching new skills. This is a wonderful donation from The Heart Of A Marine Foundation. We could not have initiated this program without them." Standish continued, "The guitars themselves are fantastic! They look beautiful! Each veteran is scheduled to complete 10 lessons, and we are planning a graduation event at completion."
Matsukes commented, "The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is a grassroots organization. We were established in Elk Grove, and we are headquartered there today. We honor our military and veterans locally and keep our business dealings local, whenever possible. We also pride ourselves on our nationwide reach. Georgette has always said, 'as long as there is a veteran in need, we will be there', to us this means, border to border-coast to coast, as well as our own backyard." She added, "It's summer, and I am confident that we will be taking local veterans, their families, and significant others to the ballpark. It's always a wonderful outing and day out when we can get the veterans to a ball game or two."
Keeping Veterans First in 2017:
~The Walking Tall Program donates ergonomically correct canes to any military member and veteran in need. In March 2017, The Heart Of A Marine Foundation surpassed 12,000 canes donated nationwide.
~Helping Hand to Homeless Veterans Program donated new commercial grade stove, freezer, and microwave
to a veteran homeless facility in Chicago.
~Clothing Assistance Project donated new clothing and outerwear to homeless veterans in Illinois.
~Morale Up! Program treated the residents of Fisher House (Hines VA campus) to a spa day at Mario Tricoci and dinner at the Ram Restaurant, both located in Schaumburg.
~Morale Up! Program donated a new 60" TV and DVD player to a veteran homeless facility in Chicago.
The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is a registered 501c3 organization dedicated to placing veterans and their needs first. The Foundation was established in memory, honor, and spirit of Marine Lance Corporal Phillip Frank, KIA, April 2004. For information on The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, and how you can be "A Part of the Heart" visit www.heartofamarine.org, call 847.621.7324, or join us on Facebook.