No person left behind: How SALUTE, INC. helps military personnel financially, emotionally

There are few greater sacrifices than serving your country. It is a sacrifice that means spending months, or even years, away from family, which can take an emotional and even financial toll. That's where SALUTE, INC. comes in.

SALUTE, INC. was founded in 2003 by Will and Mary Beth Beiersdorf. Will, a Naval reservist, was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, shortly after 9/11. He was there for 13 months, leaving Mary Beth and his kids behind do deal with the many unknowns that come with service. They were able to get by thanks to family and friends.

They wanted to extend that same helping hand by creating SALUTE, INC., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides financial support through fundraisers.

SALUTE offers assistance with housing costs, utility bills, car expenses and food to our servicemen and women.

Mary Beth Beiersdorf, executive director of the organization, talks about the upcoming SALUTE Memorial Day Weekend 5K, which takes place virtually May 29.

Q: What is SALUTE, INC.? Give a brief overview of what the organization does and who you serve.

A: SALUTE, INC. is a Palatine-based nonprofit dedicated to meeting the financial, physical, and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans, and their families.

We bridge temporary income gaps and provide everyday essentials at the most critical time, allowing current and retired servicemen and women to manage their transition back into our community.

The organization was started 18 years ago by Will and Mary Beth Beiersdorf as a way to pay forward the support Mary Beth received while raising her young children while Will was called to active duty.

Q: Where do the majority of your donations come from?

A: Individual donors provide much of the financial support for SALUTE. Prior to the pandemic, we held a series of key fundraising events each year that were generously supported by our wide network of small donors, along with several dedicated corporate partners.

Our organization annually hosts a team of charity runners in the Chicago Marathon. Also, we are the designated charity for other area running events and receive donations through several golf outings held for our benefit. Members of our board, together with staff, run an annual gala and several smaller events throughout the year.

As a true grass-roots organization, we enjoy relationships with individuals, families, and student groups, who hold fundraising drives, letter writing campaigns and host community outreach events for us.

Q: How many people per year do you serve?

A: In 2005, we served our first 15 families. In 2020, we helped 930. In the time in between, we have offered assistance to more than 14,000 families in their time of need.

Q: What are some of your programs?

A: SALUTE, INC. saves military families from homelessness through rent and mortgage payments that prevent eviction or foreclosure. We assist with car payments and repairs, allowing veterans to get to their jobs, the VA office, PTSD therapy and drive their kids to school.

We also pay utility bills so the lights are kept on, the water running, the trash collected and the home warm.

Our Walking Tall Project provides free, ergonomic, orthopedic canes to service personnel and veterans in need of assistance during their recovery.

SALUTE is honored to support veterans and their families seeking treatment through the mental health and rehabilitative programs located at the following leading medical centers: Rush University Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Emory University Hospital, UCLA Health, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and the Shepherd Center.

Q: Tell us about The SALUTE Memorial Day Weekend 5K. How does it work?

A: SALUTE has historically held a 5K race on Memorial Day weekend, starting and ending at Recreation Park.

This year's race will be held virtually, so runners can walk or run the distance of their choosing at a time and location that's convenient for them.

However, we didn't want to miss the opportunity to connect with the community, so we will set up in Recreation Park, 500 East Miner St., Arlington Heights, Saturday, May 29, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an in-person packet pickup, a potted plant sale and a donation station to collect household items for the James A. Lovell VA Homeless and HUD/VASH Housing Programs.

Registration for the virtual run/walk is $25.

Q: How can people participate?

A: We encourage people to register online at saluteinc.networkforgood.com/events/28040-2021-memorial-day-event on or before May 20, so their race shirt and bib will be ready for pickup at the May 29 event. They can then come and enjoy closed container refreshments while shopping for plants at the Recreation Park event, which is sponsored by Picket Fence Realty.

After the event, they can walk or run the distance of their choosing sometime during Memorial Day weekend. For those who register after May 20, we will ship the shirt and bib to their home.

After completing the run, we encourage participants to take a "finish line" selfie and share on social with the hashtag #Run4Salute.

Q: How can readers help if they can't participate in the event?

A: Because the 5K will be held virtually, anyone can participate on their own schedule. If participants can't make the in-person, socially distanced Recreation Park event, they can send a representative in their place to pick up their shirt and bib. Donations can be made at www.saluteinc.org/donate.

Q: What else would you like readers to know?

A: The last year has been challenging for so many people, and veterans are no exception. All proceeds from the virtual race and in-person event will go directly toward our veteran assistance programs.

SALUTE, INC. has been awarded the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency, which is the highest level of transparency a nonprofit can receive from Guidestar, an organization that rates how well nonprofits use their funds.

So when you donate to SALUTE, or participate in one of our events, you know your dollars are being put to good use.

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Virtual SALUTE, INC. Memorial Day Weekend 5K

What: 5K to support SALUTE, INC., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers financial assistance to servicemen and women

When: Anytime Saturday, May 29. In-person packet pickup is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 29 in Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights

Details: Register by May 20 to have your race shirt and bib ready for pickup at the May 29 event; after May 20, items will be shipped to your home

Cost: $25

Register: saluteinc.networkforgood.com/events/28040-2021-memorial-day-event