​Ramstein Air Base played an integral role in evacuating Afghans during Operation Allies Refuge (OAR).  This historic endeavor at Ramstein AB happened due to the efforts of U.S. Forces, alongside the U.S. State Department, countless NATO partners, and local agencies- all of which sprung into action to assist evacuating Afghans.  Many U.S. service members were mobilized to Ramstein AB from different home stations, and everyone worked grueling hours to stand-up 24/7 operations.  As Ramstein AB faced an unprecedented influx of personnel, in addition to the evacuee population, more food was needed to fuel OAR’s operations tempo. 
 
Through the First Sergeants Association and Spouses Club, Stroller Warriors Ramstein offered support to those supporting OAR.  Stroller Warriors® Ramstein pitched-in by providing a variety of foods to those working around-the-clock supporting the mission.  SW Ramstein members provided delicious empanadas, macaroni-and-cheese casserole, corn bread, meatball hoagies, and nutrition-packed snacks with granola and fruit, and with energy drinks and soda, along with many other items.  All receiving food from SW Ramstein were incredibly grateful, and SW Ramstein was overjoyed to help.  

​Thank you, Stroller Warriors Ramstein for supporting this wonderful humanitarian mission!  If you are a military family close to Ramstein and would like to run with us, please request to join Stroller Warriors® Ramstein at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWRamstein.

Stroller Warriors® believes community outreach is a valuable piece of the Stroller Warriors mission.  Along with running and fitness goals, Stroller Warrior chapters strive to support the local military and civilian communities through charitable events, donation drives, community clean ups, and philanthropic opportunities.
 
After a full school year of virtual learning for some, back to school time was a celebratory event for everyone; however, many families are still feeling the financial impacts of COVID. Two Stroller Warrior chapters organized a summer outreach event collecting schools supplies in their respective areas to help families with back-to-school costs:

In July, Stroller Warriors Pearl Harbor gathered school supplies for a local school off post with a goal of aiding at least 10 students.  Beforehand, Kathylee Q. organized a school supply list of essential items needed for students for the first day of school.  Three drop-off locations were set up, and items were collected for over a 2-week period.  Members of Stroller Warriors Hawaii donated over $250 worth of school supplies! 
​
In August, members from Stroller Warriors Virginia Beach arranged a collection for Chesapeake Preschool Initiative (CPI).  Unlike many first, come first serve preschools- CPI uses an application based preschool program with a focus on a child’s need for preschool involvement using factors such as income, military service, and parent/guardian education for program enrollment.  Workout leaders collected school supplies at weekly events and organized a porch drop-off with Andrea O.  The chapter collected a large pile of goods ranging from backpacks to writing/coloring utensils to tissue. 

​Thank you, Stroller Warriors Pearl Harbor and Virginia Beach, for your helpfulness and generosity which surely helped children on their back-to-school journey! 

​When people mention Stroller Warriors, the first thing that usually comes to everyone’s mind is a group of outstanding runners. True, we are runners, but we are also so much more —we organize Charitable Outreach initiatives, we volunteer, and we give back to our host communities. These are just a few of the things that make us so successful. We do this with virtually zero budget, and it is entirely due to our selfless and amazing members, friends, and family.
 
During the month of June, we hosted our second global outreach event of the year by supporting K9s for Warriors (www.k9sforwarriors.org), the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to disabled veterans,. The mission of K9s for Warriors is to end veteran suicide and allow them to have a life of dignity and independence. They rescue and train shelter dogs to be paired as service dogs for Veterans with service-related Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and Military Sexual Trauma.
 
K9s for Warriors started in 2011 and has grown exponentially! Headquartered in Ponte Vedra, Florida, they can house and train up to 70 dogs that have been rescued from kill shelters from across the nation. In 2018, they also opened the Gold Family Campus outside of Gainesville, Florida to provide more in-house training between veterans and their new service dogs. This year, they plan to finish their PetCo Foundation K9 Center in San Antonio, Texas, to function as a hub for the southwestern United States. At this San Antonio location, they will have the capability to screen and train 30 dogs before sending them to their Florida headquarters for pairing with their Veteran.  The organization is also working towards breaking ground in Florida to create the world’s largest training center for future service dogs. All of these locations give both a Veteran and a dog a second chance on life.
 
An estimated 20 Veterans die daily due from suicide. Most of these individuals have been prescribed medication and talk therapy without considerable results in combatting their post-traumatic stress symptoms. Veterans participating in the K9s for Warriors program usually take 10 to 14 different prescriptions daily, but 92% of them reduce their daily medication intake after training with their service dog, leading to reduced symptoms.
 
Each month, a group of up to 12 Veterans arrive at the K9s for Warriors headquarters for a three-week, in-house training, at no cost. These Veterans are provided with a trained service dog, housing, meals, equipment, veterinary care, and 120 hours of training with their new service dog in a family atmosphere. The dogs are already trained when the veterans arrive, but this time-period allows the veteran to bond with their new partner and as they both learn to function as a team.
 
Earlier this year, K9s for Warriors provided over 660 veterans with a service dog changing their lives for the better. 
 
As always, our members went above and beyond to support this wonderful organization:

-With limited ability to meet in person, Stroller Warriors® Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, developed a creative way to dedicate miles— the 808 Challenge (808 is the area code for Kaneohe Bay). The Chapter challenged their members to dedicate 808 miles for K9s for Warriors using “#SWsupportsK9FW.” In only 20 days, members met their goal collectively dedicating 834.55 miles!

​-Stroller Warriors 29 Palms, California, had a fun month of running as the desert temperature soared. The Chapter had four participants who collectively dedicated 441 miles.

-Stroller Warriors Lackland, Texas, hosted a month-long event supporting K9s for Warriors. Using the hashtag “#swsupportsK9FW,” their chapter dedicated 83 miles throughout June and made other contributions to the K9s for Warrions. While planning their community outreach event, they realized K9s for Warriors was in the process of building a new San Antonio training facility. Chapter leadersreached out offering their support. After corresponding with the San Antonio campus director, the Chapter hosted a dog toy making event at a local restaurant, and the restaurant also donated a portion of their monthly profits to K9s for Warriors. Members enjoyed lunch while the mini warriors played and made 12 braided toys for the service dogs. Chapter members also collected household items used for enrichment activities (various sized boxes, paper towel rolls, etc). These items were delivered directly to the training facility and Chapter members received a “hard hat” tour at the conclusion of its month-long event. 

-Stroller Warrior Quantico, Virginia, used AmazonSmile to give back to K9s for Warriors. When individuals shop on AmazonSmile, the retailer's foundation contributes a percentage of the price of eligible purchases to a charity of your choice. This was perfect timing since Amazon Prime Day took place in June as well. Chapter members also ran collectively dedicating 14 miles.

-Stroller Warrior Iwakuni, Japan, participated in a four day mile dedication event. They started on June 27th, which is National PTSD Awareness Day, and ended it on June 30th with a run followed by a HITT workout. During these four days, fourteen Chapter members collectively dedicated 60.43 miles.

-Stroller Warrior Okinawa, Japan, donated blankets and dog-bones from the K9s for Warriors wish-list on Amazon and collectively dedicated 533.98 miles.

Congratulations on a job well done Warriors!

If you are interested in learning more about K9s for Warriors please visit their website at http://www.k9sforwarriors.org/.

In May, Stroller Warriors® Lewis-McChord organized a community outreach event for a local youth shelter— The Coffee Oasis Pierce County. 
 
Established in 1997, The Coffee Oasis is a faith-based, non-profit organization that offers the community an opportunity to gather at local cafés, drink delicious coffee selections, and provide youth with the housing and resources needed to thrive.  The Coffee Oasis continues to be a source of hope and opportunity for youth between 13 and 25 years old.  100% of the cafes’ proceeds directly support the Coffee Oasis youth programs. 
 
In the local area around Lewis-McChord, hundreds of Pierce County youths are living on the streets, finding a different couch to sleep on each night, or living in temporary shelters.  Many of these youth battle depression, isolation, addiction, and trauma.  In August of 2019, The Coffee Oasis opened the Tacoma Shelter, the first 24/7 emergency underage youth shelter in Pierce County.  The Tacoma Shelter offers youth 13-17 years old a safe and encouraging place to live while they work towards sustainable housing and employment.
 
Our Warriors at Lewis-McChord arranged a month-long donation drive to collect necessary items--toiletries, laundry supplies, clothing items, and gift cards.  Members also purchased items from the Amazon wish-list provided by the organization. 
 
Thank you, Stroller Warriors Lewis-McChord, for your dedication to the community and for organizing a heartfelt community outreach event that will have a large impact on the youth in the local community.  If you are a military family near Lewis-McChord and would like to come run with us, request to join Stroller Warriors® Lewis-McChord at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StrollerWarriorsLewisMcChord/

Stroller Warriors® considers community outreach to be a valuable piece of the Stroller Warriors mission.  Along with running and fitness goals, Stroller Warrior chapters strive to support the local military and civilian communities through charitable events, donation drives, community clean ups, and philanthropic opportunities.

Stroller Warriors Charleston recently volunteered with Katie’s Krops. The mission of Katie’s Krops is to “empower youth to start and maintain vegetable gardens of all sizes and donate the harvest to help feed people in need, as well as to assist and inspire others to do the same.” The organization has a heartwarming and incredible backstory—  

The inspiration and idea for Katie’s Krops began in 2008 with a 9-year-old girl, Katie, and a cabbage seedling from a school project.  Katie planted and cared for the cabbage in her backyard—it eventually grew to an astonishing 40 pounds!  With the desire to help those in need, Katie donated her extraordinary cabbage to a local soup kitchen in North Charleston.  Her special vegetable supplied food for over 275 people.  This was a life-changing experience for Katie and moved her to create local vegetable gardens where the produce is donated to feed people in need.  Today, Katie’s Krops has over 100 gardens growing across the U.S. 
​
For more information about Katie’s Krops, please visit their website: https://katieskrops.com/

​Our Warriors and their mini warriors put their green thumbs to use lining and filling garden beds with soil in preparation for planting produce— at the same time, they also enjoyed the outdoors and soaked up the sunshine.  Their efforts will lead to fresh fruits and vegetables for those in need!

​Thank you, Stroller Warriors Charleston, for organizing a bountiful outreach event!  If you are a military family near SW Charleston and would like to come run with us, request to join Stroller Warriors® Charleston at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWCharleston.

Stroller Warriors® considers community outreach to be a valuable piece of the Stroller Warriors mission.  Along with running and fitness goals, Stroller Warrior chapters strive to support the local military and civilian communities through charitable events, donation drives, community clean ups, and philanthropic opportunities.

Today we bring you the story of Stroller Warriors Parris Island and their creative community outreach project—Photos and Philanthropy.  Organized by Jenn A., this brilliant project aided a local community organization called Second Helpings.

Founded in 1992, Second Helpings is a volunteer led nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent food waste by rescuing food from grocery stores, restaurants, and other channels.  Volunteers collect and distribute food year-round to local nonprofits feeding individuals in the Low Country area of South Carolina.  Over the years, Second Helpings supplied over 32 million pounds of food to residents in need. 

Jenn A. opened 9 mini-photo sessions to members of Stroller Warriors Parris Island.  Time slots were first-come-first-serve and required a monetary donation to Second Helpings.  The mini-photo sessions beautifully captured several of our Stroller Warriors and their families with elegant flowing Spanish moss covered trees and bright pink azaleas in full bloom in South Carolina. 
​
Thank you, Stroller Warriors Parris Island, for organizing a lovely community outreach event!  If you are a military family near SW Parris Island and would like to come run with us, request to join Stroller Warriors® Parris Island at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWParrisIsland.

Stroller Warriors® is a dynamic organization—composed of military spouses and their families with a strong focus on running, building friendships and a support network, along with a strong emphasis on community outreach helping both the military and civilian communities. All Stroller Warriors chapters organize community outreach projects which aid local community organizations near the chapter’s base.  On top of this Stroller Warriors Global coordinates four larger community outreach events throughout the year with all chapters taking part in working towards a singular cause.   

​For the Month of March, Stroller Warriors hosted a month long Global Outreach Event supporting Operation: Care and Comfort (www.occ-usa.org). Operation: Care and Comfort was established in April 2003 when the three co-founders decided to combine their efforts to support military troops stationed in combat zones overseas. Since their start, they have grown exponentially thanks to the outpouring support from fellow Americans.

Writing letters, mailing care packages, hosting welcome home events, and showing support to a deployed service member or veteran’s family are a few of the activities organized by Operation: Care and Comfort.  Currently, the organization supports multiple military units in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict areas. Service members in these areas receive multiple care packages filled with non-perishable food items, toiletries, letters of appreciation and well wishes, gift cards for phone services to call home, and a simple DVD or CD for entertainment.  One of the most unique aspects is that these units and service members are “adopted” by Operation: Care and Comfort throughout their entire time away. This simple gesture shows appreciation towards each service member and supplies them with much needed items.  Along with care packages, Operation: Care and Comfort aids military families in need through the “Adopt a Military” program—which allows civilian families, and organizations to help with a one-time assistance with anything from utilities, groceries, gasoline for a car, or a gift for a child. Additionally, Operation: Care and Comfort also works with professional and college sports teams, entertainment venues, and promoters to send thousands of troops, reservists, veterans and their immediate families to events at a discount or even for free! Their “Tickets for Troops” program is a fantastic way for military families to experience a fun family filled day in California

​Our Stroller Warriors chapters went above and beyond sharing information about Operation: Care and Comfort, running miles, creating cards, writing letters, and donating non-perishable items for care packages. Please check out the amazing work below:

Stroller Warriors Cherry Point, North Carolina held a dedication run on March 12th. Runners logged miles at the in-person meet up, but also encouraged virtual participation for those who were unable to attend. Together the chapter logged 39.55 miles.

Stroller Warriors 29 Palms, California dedicated miles and collectively ran 738 miles

Stroller Warriors Kanehoe Bay, Hawaii dedicated miles to Operation: Care and Comfort. Members made sure to post selfies and use the hashtag, #swsupportsoccusa. Collectively members ran a total of 728.94 miles!

Stroller Warriors Okinawa, Japan held multiple events with several ways to support Operation: Care and Comfort-- members donated 37 non-perishable items for care packages, mini warriors created cards and letters, organized a card making station at the C25K grad race on March 27th, and dedicated mileage with 548.72 miles logged. 
​
Stroller Warriors Oak Harbor, Washington held a month-long donation drive collecting items for care packages and were able to send out two full boxes of items!

Thank you, Stroller Warriors, for your wonderful support! We are so proud of you!
 
Happy Running! 
-Mollie M.
_______________________________________________________

Mollie M. has been a member of Stroller Warriors for about 7 years. She has run and volunteered with Stroller Warriors® Camp Lejeune, Stroller Warriors Fort Belvoir, Stroller Warriors Elsewhere, and Stroller Warriors Okinawa. Mollie is currently one of the Chapter Coordinators for Stroller Warriors Okinawa and works with the Stroller Warriors® Global Page team. She currently posts the Wednesday Warrior Workouts and coordinates the monthly Global Outreach Events throughout the year. 

Stroller Warriors® considers community outreach to be a valuable piece of the Stroller Warriors mission.  Along with running and fitness goals, Stroller Warrior chapters strive to support the local military and civilian communities through charitable events, donation drives, community clean ups, and philanthropic opportunities.
 
This week we share the story of our warrior friends from SW Yokosuka and their collaboration with the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS) —a local nonprofit organization with a focus on building connections and developing people in the Yokosuka community and elsewhere.  Specifically, one element of YCAPS, called the Mongolia Connect program, focusses exclusively on those in need living in Mongolia.  The Mongolia Connect program “creates opportunities for Americans, Japanese, and Mongolians to establish international friendships, develop intercultural leadership skills, and learn about issues impacting the greater international community.” 
 
Over the last few months, Mongolia suffered from devastating floods – sadly, many individuals and families were displaced from their homes.  Stroller Warriors Yokosuka organized their first community outreach project with YCAPS, specifically contributing to the Mongolia Connect program.  The Stroller Warriors leadership organized two drop-off sites over a two-week period and collected items such as shoes, outdoor and cold weather gear, and blankets.  Within just the first few days, the SW team gathered enough goods to fill an entire box!  In total, SW Yokosuka collected, loaded, and shipped 5 boxes of items supplying direct support to YCAPS’ Mongolia Connect program.  The contents of these boxes supported a “Girl’s Story” Homeless Shelter in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
​
Thank you, Stroller Warriors Yokosuka, for organizing a wonderful community outreach event!  If you are a military family near SW Yokosuka and would like to come run with us, request to join Stroller Warriors® Yokosuka at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWYokosuka