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12.19.08 | SENTINELS OF FREEDOM GWINNETT WILL BE BENEFICIARIES OF SOCCER TOURNAMENT -NEW -
The First Annual "JACK FROST SOCCER FEST" to be held January 17 & 18, 2009 at Bunten Road Park, Duluth, and West Gwinnett Park and Aquatic Center, Norcross, will donate their proceeds to the SENTINELS OF FREEDOM - GWINNETT, and the US Soccer TOPSoccer.
The tournament is limited to Men over 30 and 24 teams consisting of a minimum of 15 players (no maximum number). All teams from the Gwinnett area, the State of Georgia, and Out of State Teams must be registered.
Bill Hoag, spokesman for the Tournament was quoted as saying,
" I wanted to give a purpose to the tournament and what better way than to support a soccer program as well as a humanitarian program, such as SOFG.
The director of Duluth Parks and Rec, Kathy Marelli, was instrumental in aligning our tournament with SOFG.
To find out more about participating in the Jack Frost Soccer Fest, you can contact http://www.jackfrostsoccerfest.com
12.19.08 | SENTINELS OF FREEDOM-GWINNETT HELPS OUT VET"S ON THE HOLIDAY'S - NEW -
By Josh Green
Staff Writer w/Gwinnett Daily Post
DULUTH - Three Gwinnett Army vets have run aground in the dire straits of financial misfortune and physical disability. It hasn't gone unnoticed.
Enter: the Sentinels of Freedom Gwinnett, a not-for-profit dedicated to pulling them - and the multitude of others like them - back to smoother waters.
From the excess of area vets who rely on community assistance, the Sentinels have selected three relatively young men - each a survivor of recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq - as the focal points of an inaugural Christmas campaign.
The hope is to pull together $1,000 for each man by Dec. 23, a necessary contribution to help them through the holidays, leaders say.
The impetus for the campaign was, well, spontaneous.
"Our board was just kind of sitting around, and said, 'We're not doing anything for Christmas,'" said Tim Thornberry, the group's president, who toured Iraq as a platoon sergeant in the Marines. "It really was ad-hoc ... 'What can we do to help out?'"
The handpicked trio of recipients all reside in Gwinnett. Each is in "desperate" need of a financial boost, having exhausted contributions from churches and the coffers of other non-for-profits, Thornberry said.
"These three guys are still coming up short, with all the other things out there," he said. "The list of veterans in financial need in Gwinnett County is much longer than three. These represent those with the most immediate needs."
The local Sentinels branch from a national organization. They're committed to easing life's stresses for the deluge of wounded servicemembers pouring back into America from battlefields overseas.
The soldiers' full names have been withheld, at their request, for privacy. These are their stories, as relayed by Sentinel leaders:
Spc. William H.
His Gwinnett apartment suffered a structure fire Nov. 7, destroying his family's belongings while displacing him and his 15-year-old son. His most pressing need is clothing for his son, and a permanent housing solution.
Sgt. Gabriel M.
He suffered a back injury at the outset of Operation Iraqi Freedom near Baghdad and was subsequently discharged in April 2005. Employed as a police officer in Riverdale, he suffered a knee injury while responding to a robbery in December last year, rendering him financially incapable of providing for his two sons.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy W.
He was shot and severely wounded on March 19, 2006, in Iraq, for which he was later awarded the Silver Star. The disability has kept him in constant financial strain, following his transition off active duty. His primary concern is the proper care of his wife and three children.
To donate, mail checks to Sentinels of Freedom Gwinnett at P.O. Box 2124 Duluth, GA 30096. Donations can also be made securely at the group's Web site
11.18.08 | PHILANTHROPIC SORORITY PARTNERS WITH SENTINELS OF FREEDOM-GWINNETT
The President of the Zeta Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Philanthropic Sorority was a guest at the regular Board of Directors meeting of the Sentinels of Freedom - Gwinnett on Thursday evening.
Robbie Moore, Zeta President, spoke to the Sentinel Board and commended the them for their "dedication, and commitment to bringing severely wounded military back to Gwinnett and helping them adapt to their new lives as civilians".
In addition to presenting President Tim Thornberry with a sizable contribution for their efforts, President Moore pledged that they will continue to support the "Sentinels" financially and as volunteers with the
returning military. President Thornberry thanked the Zetas and told them that without people like them, many military would have lives that would not be the successes that we all want for our returning heroes. He welcomed their role as "partners" in the Sentinel movement.
The Zetas have raised funds for Children^s Healthcare of Atlanta and many other local charitable organizations. They have "partnered" with these organizations to help make Gwinnett a better place to live.
8.1.08 | APPROVED FOR NON-PROFIT 501 (c)3
" Sentinels of Freedom Gwinnett has officially been notified by the US Government of it^s approval charitable, Non-profit 501 (C) 3 status"
Organized after a model in California, SOF-Gwinnett started with a group of Realtors and former military officers and non-commissioned officers to bring back a group of severely disabled soldiers, airmen and marines, and help them to become welcomed, and capable citizens once again in Gwinnett county.
"Our typical ^sentinel^ would be a multiple amputee or burn victim, most likely under 25 years of age with a wife and one or more young children" said Karen Love, Team Leader of SOF-G.
"Our aim is to give them the opportunity to have a home, a form of transportation, an education, help around the house with routine maintenance, and continuous life skill leadership from our community."
Tim Thornberry, former Marine platoon sergeant said that many of these young warriors have no idea as to how to conduct a home life.
"We intend to help them achieve ^normalcy^ status by working along side them and being there for them".
The SOF-Gwinnett is committed to as long as a four year partnering with the Sentinel - and as many sentinels as the community is willing to support by their time, effort and money.
"We are looking at as much as $25,000 per Sentinel" said Love.
"Up until now, we were reluctant to approach many civic and corporate donors" she said. "There is a natural reluctance to give large donations when the status of a charity is in question."
The Board of Directors plan to aggressively pursue their program of bringing these severely disabled warriors to Gwinnett County's arms of support and resources.
8.1.08 | ARMY TEAM WINS INTERSERVICE "TOP GUN" RIVALRY
In a fun filled magnificent cloudless day last Sunday, the ARMY Slow Pitch Softball Team defeated the Air Force Topguns in a showdown at the Bunten Road Park in Duluth.
The day was organized to benefit the "SENTINELS OF FREEDOM - GWINNETT" - a group of local citizens who are raising money and community awareness to bring home a severely disabled post-Iraq or Afghanistan military individual with their family, and provide a home, a job, an education and life coaching to help them adjust to civilian life. Dealing with the adjustment to civilian life is difficult enough if your mind and your body are whole, but with severe disabilities, like missing limbs it can prove to be a daunting task.
It will be the job of the SOFG volunteers to ensure that this "wounded soldier or marine" has a smooth transition, an economically comfortable life, and friends - both military and civilian - in his or her new community.
The "Top Gun" all- military softball match idea is the first fund raiser that the SOFG organizers have attempted. Many in the community were touched by speaking with the active and retired military who played, and the many volunteers and helpers at the park.
The day started off with the Presentation of the Color Guard by the Junior Naval ROTC from Duluth High School. Julie Hall sang the Star Spangled Banner, and a welcome was heartfully delivered by former Mayor Shirley Lasseter, who also is a member of the SOFG Advisory Board. The first pitch was "lobbed" by Duluth Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Dugan
The action started at 1:00 with Army defeating Navy 15 - 5. During the second game, Air Force beat the Marines 13 - 7. The final game for the Top Gun Trophy (which will be displayed at the Bunten Road Park Display Case) and the Bragging Rights went to Army, blasting Air Force by a 17 - 10 score.
Kathy Marelle, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Duluth was the scorekeeper and color commentator during the games.
SOFG not only made some money towards their goal of obtaining a home and auto for the first "Sentinel" to be brought back to Gwinnett, but were promised help in many other ways by community members and organizations. "Sentinels" are always looking for more volunteers.
It will "take a village" to achieve the goal of bringing back some severely disabled military after their rehabilitation, but the people of Gwinnett seem willing to help our military survivors.
5.1.08 | INTERSERVICE RIVALRY TO BENEFIT "SENTINELS OF FREEDOM"
DULUTH, GA. All four major military groups - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines - will challenge each other in a "Battle of the Warriors" to be held on Field #4, Bunten Road Park in Duluth on Sunday, May 25 at High Noon.
The Warriors will battle for "Bragging Rights" and the chance to have their branch of service named as "Top Gun of the Slow Pitch Softball Game", with all proceeds going to "Sentinels of Freedom - Gwinnett, Inc.", a group of concerned citizens and veterans dedicated to bringing home severely disabled veterans, giving them a job, home, car, college education and Life Coaching for four years to help them comfortably settle in Gwinnett County.
The day will commence at 1:00, with Army facing Navy in the first game. The second game at 3:30 will have Air Force battling the Marines. The winners will play against each other at 6:00 for the Top Gun Title, the Trophy and the presentation by a General Officer and War Hero.
Family Fun includes food concessions, face painting for the children, music and commentary by a Radio Talk Show host to be named at a later date. A good time for all ages is virtually guaranteed! Come on over and cheer for your favorite Branch of the Military!
Public Welcome! FREE admission and parking! Rain date: Monday, May 26.
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