AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION (AWCF)

ANNUAL REPORT

FY 2011

 

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AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION (AWCF)

(Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund) “Where Camaraderie and Caring Continue”

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Mission: The Air Warrior Courage Foundation was formed by military aviators to “care for our own.” We work closely with the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association to do that. We focus on active duty, guard, reserve, and retired military personnel and their families needing financial assistance for medical, educational, and other extraordinary expenses not covered by other military, veterans’, or charitable institutions.

Whether in time of war or time of peace, members of our military and their families are serving and safeguarding our freedoms. A proud tradition followed by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines is to care for their brothers and sisters in combat, and for their families - especially the families of comrades who never came home. In that tradition, Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF) was formed in 1998 by members of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (River Rats) to help with financial problems of warriors (primarily military aviators, Wounded Warriors, and their families) of an emergency nature or that fall beyond government support.

AWCF, also identified as the Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund, participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC/ICA #11450) and has been named a “Best in America” by Independent Charities of America each year since 2006. 97% of the funds we raise are spent on our programs. Since the founding of AWCF we have spent $1,198,597 in direct support of our Wounded Warriors. AWCF coordinates both financial assistance and service programs. The River Rats and their families and friends provide most of the manpower to help on projects and programs. Through the generosity of many donors the AWCF has been able to support a variety of programs that benefit active, guard, reserve, retired and former members of the U.S. military, and their families. We provide financial grants that the government cannot provide by law or regulation, and interim financial support often needed between the time benefits are granted and the time they are received. During FY 2011, the AWCF:

• Supported the rehab of Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland and at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) (formerly Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)) in San Antonio, Texas by providing a wide variety of activities and emergency financial support. More than $296,918 was spent between both programs.

• Provided $86,867 in support of 69 individuals and families. • Provided $105,587 for Therapeutic Riding for 97 medically challenged

dependents in 25 programs in 14 states. Since we began this program we have helped 755 children.

• Opened eight new IRS College Savings Plans (529 Plans) for dependents of aircrew killed in combat or aircraft accidents, for a total of 140 plans that AWCF has opened since its inception.

• Raised over $1.2 million to fund our support programs.

 

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND THE PRESIDENT: “This year, as in years past, it has been our privilege to work in support of those who support us. We truly believe that “Camaraderie and Caring Continue’ as it says in our mission. From paying rent, utilities, and other emergency expenses for a Wounded Warrior family until their benefits come through, to providing IRS College Savings Plans for the education of the next generation, to therapeutic riding for military dependents with brain impairments, we help fill in the gaps between what appropriated funds provide and what our warriors need. And we can - because of all of you who support AWCF so generously with your money, time and talents. In 2010, we were once again named among “Best In America” by Independent Charities of America. We continue to keep our administrative costs low, at 2.4% of our budget. We are dedicated to being good stewards of your donations and making sure at least 97% of your contributions go to our Warriors and their families through programs, activities and direct emergency support. The quality of your commitment to help our warriors has been so great this year that, at the River Rat Reunion in Phoenix last May, we gave two Humanitarian of the Year awards. The first was to the Lake Travis Christmas Hope Committee. This fine group raised $111,672 in donations from over 300 people to give 107 SAMMC Wounded Warriors and their families with 247 children a very merry Christmas. This was by far the largest donation we have received outside of the non-profit foundations. Our second Humanitarian Award went to Lori Klindera and George “G-II” Varrato from the Phoenix/Goodyear area. They pledged $200 from real estate commissions on every house they sell, up to a $70,000 donation. Their donation was in memory of one of the men killed in Kabul last year. We also recognized the Fred B. Snite Foundation for a donation of $50,000 to be used for our College Savings Plans. We are grateful for every donation but these are clearly above and beyond the call. We have continued to work with the Bob Woodruff Foundation to fund many of our grant and recreational therapy programs at SAMMC and at WRNMMC. We are grateful to that foundation for their generosity to these programs. Despite these, and many other, committed donors, we can’t sit back and relax – the need is always there and we have an obligation to meet it as best we can. To do that, we need YOU. If you have ideas/suggestions/donations that would help us help others, get them to us at airwarriorcourage.org so we become better each year. I have appreciated greatly the opportunity to chair the Air Warrior Courage Foundation over the past six years and to serve the men and women of our armed services through our mission. I look forward to continuing on the board; however, I believe organizations such as ours are advantaged by fresh leadership from time to time so, in January of 2013, I will pass on the chairmanship of the Foundation to our President, Earl Hailston.

Aim High and Semper Fi from both of us.

Mike Dugan, Chairman Earl Hailston, President General, USAF (Ret) Lieutenant General, USMC (Ret.)

 

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TROOP SUPPORT 9/11 TERRORISM MEMORIAL FUND SUPPORT FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

We moved into our sixth year of activity at what are now Walter Reed

National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) (created by the melding of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda National Naval Medical Center) and San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) (formerly Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)) in San Antonio, Texas.

In the years we have been supporting our Wounded Warriors we have dedicated untold hours and $1,198,597 in financial support. This spending has been augmented this year by the Bob Woodruff Foundation at SAMMC and WRNMMC. The Bob Woodruff Foundation has helped many more Wounded Warriors and their families than we could have with just our donations. The Troop Support programs at the two medical centers are structured differently, but the end result of helping the Wounded Warriors and their families is the same. We are grateful to all our donors and volunteers for their assistance.

********************* FY 2011 WALTER REED NATIONAL MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER (WRNMMC)

TROOP SUPPORT PROGRAM IN ACTION

This year, General Dugan and LtGen Hailston were given a comprehensive tour of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) or as they like to be called Walter Reed Bethesda (WRB). The WRB is quite a facility and not only provides healing but rehabilitation for the Wounded Warriors. While on the ward, General Dugan had an opportunity to present an Eagle Head hand carved cane to one of the Wounded Warriors. CRAFT CORNER

The monthly Craft Corner that used to be at Mologne House remains active and a real benefit to our Wounded Warrior families. The Craft Corner now takes place at Tranquility Hall (Bldg. 62). The average attendance has been around 25 Warriors and dependents participating per session.

An email from one of our wonderful volunteers – “Today was fantastic! We had a ton of guys making Valentine's for their sweethearts. Very cute. I think we went through all of the crafts and the guys took the balloons with them. We tied them to their wheelchairs and off they went…. You are sponsoring a wonderful thing that is going to continue to grow. I talked with a Mom today who sat with us for a couple of hours and we hugged when she left and she said, “Thank you for being here and providing us an outlet to relax for a couple of hours.” I love being a part of something that brings joy to others!...Thank you for caring so much for the Wounded Warriors - our American heroes! Just amazing...”

 

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EAGLE CANE PROJECT

Hank Cloutier, a member of River Rats, continues to lead a group of woodcarvers who participate in the Eagle Cane Project. This project was started in 2004 by Oklahoma woodcarver Jack Nitz. The procedure has been for the carver to take the specifications from Wounded Warriors in the DC area and then make custom canes for them. When a group of canes has been completed and is ready for presentation, Hank contacts D.C. River Rats, a number of whom are general or flag officers, to make the presentations with Hank. To date, they have provided 300 hand-carved wooden canes. KATZ’S DELI LUNCH

In June, together with the Special Forces Association, we hosted our 5th annual Katz’s Deli lunch in the gymnasium (Bldg. 17). The legendary Katz’s Deli always donates and delivers its tasty delicatessen food from New York City and our folks serve it to around 400 Wounded Warriors and their families. It is always a great success. This year, during the lunch, Hank Cloutier had several Eagle Canes presented by members of the River Rats. SUPER BOWL PARTY

Together with the Yellow Ribbon Foundation, the New York Fire Department, the USO and Rolling Thunder, AWCF sponsored a gigantic Super Bowl party for 450 Wounded Warriors and their families in the Warrior Café in Tranquility Hall. The party included a buffet, entertainment, our Craft Corner for the children, many large TV’s, and, of course, cheerleaders! Before the game we presented Eagle Canes to three Wounded Warriors.

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FY 2011 SAN ANTONIO MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER (SAMMC) TROOP SUPPORT PROGRAM IN ACTION

The SAMMC Troop Support effort has completed seven years of operation.

Over $940,000 has been spent supporting the Wounded and their families since 2005. In 2011, the AWCF troop support operation at SAMMC paid 94 lodging bills, 14 medical and dental bills, and provided 111 emergency cash grants. We also distributed 360 $50 BX Gift Cards, provided twice monthly lawn service to 14 severely Wounded Warriors and gave Christmas Hope grants of $500 to $1000 to 107 families with 247 children. AWCF Adaptive Sports Program trained and certified 45 Wounded Warriors in SCUBA diving and provided a blue water diving experience to 30 of them in Panama City, FL. AWCF also continued its support of the SAMMC Family Readiness Group by contributing over $10,000 to various programs that support the spouses and children of the wounded.

 

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LODGING NEEDS

With the closing of the old Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., the population of wounded at SAMMC has climbed from 697 inpatient/outpatient Wounded Warriors to 773. This has put a strain on available housing at SAMMC. Some relief was realized with the opening of Liberty Barracks on the main post at Fort Sam Houston. The new barracks have suites that family members who are assigned as non-medical attendants can now occupy with their Wounded Warriors. This is a change in policy but children are still not allowed to reside in these quarters. For the past several years, the Army would pay for the first five days of lodging for family members who rushed to San Antonio when their Wounded Warrior first arrived from the battlefield. It was determined that there was no basis in law that allowed this. As a consequence, AWCF has seen a dramatic increase in the number of family members requiring help with their lodging during that five-day period. During FY 2011, AWCF has paid 94 lodging bills at a cost $19,000. EMERGENCY CASH GRANTS

The Emergency Cash Grant program continues to be the largest and most urgent program that AWCF sponsors at SAMMC. Over the past seven years, AWCF has given 371 Emergency Cash Grants totaling $269,000. During FY 2011, $87,000 in 111 Emergency Cash Grants have been awarded. These grants cover a wide range of financial problems that Wounded Warrior families’ encounter including pay interruptions during permanent change of stations moves to SAMMC, car repairs, security deposits for apartment or house rentals, emergency travel, and funeral expenses. During already difficult times, emergencies can escalate beyond a family’s ability to cope. There are no military programs that provide financial assistance in these tragic situations. Nonprofits provide the only solution to hardship situations for the wounded and their families. CHRISTMAS HOPE PROGRAM

For the past seven years, the SAMMC Troop Support Program has sponsored the Christmas Hope Program, a special outreach during the Christmas holidays to Wounded Warrior families with children. The program is designed to reach the families of soldiers who have limited financial resources. Christmas Hope kicks off in November each year with social workers at SAMMC providing a consolidated list of Wounded Warrior families facing a bleak Christmas without some help. Starting in early December, grants of $500 are given to families with up to two children, $750 to families with three or four children and $1,000 to families with five or more children.

The 2011 Christmas Hope Program was the most successful on record. In view of this successful year, AWCF honored the Lake Travis Christmas Hope Committee with a Humanitarian of the Year Award. Under the leadership of River Rat and AWCF Board Member Rick Zehrer, this group of patriots in the Village of the Hills, Lakeway, and Austin areas of Texas, were able to provide donations from over 300 people totaling $111,672 to fund the entire Christmas Hope Project for the families of Wounded Warriors and their families at SAMMC. Christmas Hope provided enough funds to make grants to all families on the list provided by SAMMC - giving 107 families with 247 children a very Merry Christmas.

 

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LAWN CARE PROGRAM The SAMMC Troop Support Lawn Care Program was started at the request of the SAMMC Department of Case Management and is in its fourth year. The program is designed to help the most severely wounded who have bought or rented homes in the San Antonio area. This year’s program helped 14 warriors who have amputations or burns that make it impossible for them to care for their lawns. In all cases the wounded do not have the funds needed to hire a professional lawn care service. Caseworkers at SAMMC identify the Wounded Warriors who need help with lawn care and AWCF has a commercial lawn care service mow and edge their lawns twice a month. Trimming of hedges and bushes is also included in the service. Lawn care begins in March of each year and continues through mid November. ADAPTIVE SCUBA PROGRAM AWCF has sponsored an adaptive SCUBA training program for Wounded Warriors at SAMMC for the past seven years. This sport is particularly suited for

individuals with amputations and burns. The program is structured to certify 10 to 12 Wounded Warriors per quarter as Open Water Divers. During this FY, 45 individuals were trained, bringing the total number of Wounded Warrior Open Water Divers certified under this program to 255. The program received a major boost in 2010 with a

$40,000 grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation to support a “Blue Water” diving experience for Wounded Warriors who had completed the basic certification program. The objective was to take the Warriors to Panama City, Florida and provide them a more challenging and exciting diving venue to encourage them to continue participating in the sport. The two “Blue Water” dive trips during this FY provided a diving opportunity for 30 Wounded Warriors. An effort is made to include Wounded Warriors who have left active duty for medical reasons in the dive party. The objective is to have 50% active duty and 50% medically retired. AWCF has committed to continuing the “Blue Water” program post Bob Woodruff Foundation funding. EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE Just one example - A wounded warrior family with five children requested help with severe dental problems being experienced by all the children. AWCF has an arrangement with a very skilled retired Navy dentist who examines and treats Wounded Warrior family members at a substantial discount from her normal fee. After examining the children, it was determined that they all required extensive dental treatment. The family had dental insurance but it was for all intents and purposes useless because of deductibles and caps. AWCF took on the task of

 

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restoring the dental health of the children and spent over $7000 above what the family insurance paid to get this job done. AWCF always gives special consideration to the needs of children and this was a major success story.

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GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUALS (TO ASSIST ACTIVE, GUARD AND RESERVE MILITARY,

RETIRED MILITARY, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS)

Our help was given to 69 individuals and families under this program in FY 2011 for a total outlay of $86,867.00. We provided emergency financial support for utilities, rent, transportation, auto repairs, and medical expenses, just to cite a few. Once again - a reminder of how many expenses there are which fall through the cracks for those we support. Here are some of the people we helped: A veteran has cancer that was traced to carcinogens he was exposed to in Iraq while in uniform. The family ran into financial troubles when they had to move into a motel for a lengthy stay when their home lost power in a big storm. They moved back into their home but were in danger of their electricity and water being shut off and car and home repossessed or foreclosed. AWCF provided interim financial aid. The baby of an active duty member needed a helmet for a head deformity. TRICARE would not support the cost. AWCF paid for the helmet. A disabled female veteran, and mother, was homeless after her company laid her off. She received a housing voucher from the VA but her gas was turned off for non-payment so she was in danger of losing her VA voucher. While a case manager was assisting her in applying for Social Security benefits, AWCF paid the gas bill so she did not lose her home. A veteran who lived too far from a VA hospital was told by “someone” at the VA to use a local hospital. When it came time to pay, the VA representative told him the person who had told him to go to a local hospital was not authorized to do so. AWCF paid the unreimbursed portion of his bill. A Wounded Warrior who was being medically discharged and waiting for his disability/medical retirement to begin paying his benefits could not afford an appropriate suit/shirt/tie to wear for job interviews. AWCF provided a gift card to cover the cost of his interview attire. A Wounded Warrior needed a court ruling to name a conservator/guardian for him because of his illness. The military is not permitted to cover the expenses of the court filing. AWCF covered the fee. And from one of the people we have helped - “Thank you for all that you have done for our family. I was so proud that I was able to actually help someone recently, It wasn't much but, since my son is more mobile after three months of therapy, we were able to donate one of his power wheelchairs to a wounded vet and it felt great to be able to do something even though it wasn't a big thing….Our son is doing really well. He will be going in January for another MRI and then we will be able to tell how the tumor on his brain is doing and see if it has shrunk or grown. Hopefully there will not be any more problems and his legs are great! “

 

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THERAPEUTIC RIDING

One of our recipients, competing in the Special Olympics in their area.

Therapeutic Riding is our longest running major family program. The Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) and other groups and developmental professionals promote therapeutic horseback riding as a valuable program for children with certain mental, physical or developmental challenges. Just one example is autism. Although one in 88 military children have been diagnosed with autism, therapeutic riding is not currently covered under TRICARE. There are proposed changes working their way through Congress to increase TRICARE coverage for autistic children, but, in the meantime, we provide assistance to active duty families in providing this therapy. Our medical doctor, Dr. Mike Herndon, certifies each of our riders as having a condition that could benefit from therapeutic riding. We either pay a portion of the cost of this therapy or, for stables/programs that do not charge, we make a donation to them to help defray costs. This year we spent $105,587 on 97 riders in 14 states at 25 riding stables/programs. Since we began this program we have helped 755 children. It is heartwarming to see what a difference we can make.

From Our Rider Families and Therapeutic Riding Organizations: “The picture was of his first show last fall. He thoroughly enjoys the lessons and has made tremendous progress in his riding and social skills since beginning the program. Thank you so much for your generous support of this wonderful youth! He is certainly worthy of your dollars spent.” “Dear friends at Air Warrior Courage - Thank you so much for making it possible for our daughter to receive therapeutic riding lessons….She loves all animals, but horses are her favorites. Consequently, this makes them her best therapist….She has gained strength, improved her eye contact, is more active and now has a greater tolerance of the outdoor elements like wind and heat. We used to always find her playing in her room, but now we have to track her down outside with a big smile on her face. We received your grant just days before my husband received orders to Iraq....It was a huge blessing and great distraction to have our riding lessons to look forward to….May God bless your kindness.”

 

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“We just wanted to send you a message to thank you for funding our son’s fall riding sessions. He has been to two sessions now and he thoroughly enjoys it. It had been two years since he was on a horse and he got right up here without being scared and followed directions. Our son has autism as well as gross motor issues and the therapeutic horse riding is so good for him. The costs of his autism therapies and doctor's visits quickly add up so we really do appreciate your organization's financial support for the riding!”

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IRS COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS (529 PLANS)

AWCF offers IRS College Savings Plans (529 Plans) for children of aircrew from all Services killed while performing their aircrew duties. We start each 529 Plan with an AWCF donation of $1,000 for training accidents and $2,000 for combat deaths. In FY 2011 we opened eight 529 Plans to bring the total of plans we have started to 140.

Not all take advantage of our offer, but we have an active system with the Services to get the information quickly after a tragedy occurs. Upon the request of the family, we open the 529 Plan immediately so that media notification of deaths, funeral services, etc., can contain information to permit donations for the education of the children of those killed.

This year, in addition to our other donations, we received several major donations honoring various aircrew members. One is a pledge of $70,000 over several years in honor of an Air Force pilot killed last year at Kabul, another group of donations from the Strike Eagle community in honor of one of their pilots, and a donation of $50,000 from the Fred B. Snite Foundation to be divided among the plans. Fred B. Snite was the great grandfather of a current F-16 pilot.

AWCF also provided $30,000 to the River Rat Scholarship Fund.

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AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION

FY 2011 STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES (Cash)

Cash Donations 509,812.00 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Income 702,959.00 Interest/Dividends 4,095.00

Total Inflows: $ 1,216,866.00

Program Service Expenses (Cash) 819,227.00 Overhead Expenses 29,325.00

Total Expenses $ 848,552.00

CHANGE IN CASH POSITION - INCREASE $ 368,314.00

BALANCE SHEET June 30, 2012

Cash $ 841,458.00 IRS 529 College Savings Plan Ownership (39) 113,668.00 Seven (7) Burial Plots 17,150.00 Motorized Wheel Chair 25,000.00

TOTAL ASSETS: $ 997,276.00

AWCF NET WORTH: $ 997,276.00 The IRS 990, audited by Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates reflects

operating expenses of 2.4% in 2011.

Tom Halley, Treasurer

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OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 2011-2012

Chairman

Mike Dugan, Gen, USAF (Ret.) Dillon, CO – Term Expires - 2013

President Earl Hailston, LtGen, USMC (Ret.) Round Hill, VA – Term Expires - 2013

Vice President

George Harrison, MajGen, USAF (Ret.) Peach Tree City, GA – Term Expires - 2015 Secretary

Dave Brog, Col, USAF (Ret.) Silver Spring, MD - Term Expires- 2014 Treasurer

Tom Halley, Col, USAF (Ret.) Tyler, TX – Term Expires - Indefinite General Counsel

Manny Simpson, J.D. Chicago, IL – Term Expires – Indefinite

Directors Bob Ettinger, COL, USAF (Ret.) Palos Verdes Est., CA -Term Expires - 2013

Scott Seymour Huntington Beach, CA – Term Expires – 2013 Mike Sloniker, LTC, USA (Ret.) Edmond, OK – Term Expires – 2013

Mimi Drew, RDML, USN (Ret.) Bethany Beach, DE – Term Expires – 2014 Rob McAvoy, SGTMAJ, USA (Ret.) Glens Falls, NY – Term Expires - 2014 Bill Pickavance, RADM, USN (Ret.) Galveston, TX – Term Expires - 2014

Richard Stephenson, MGEN, USA (Ret.) Vienna, VA – Term Expires – 2014 Gary Baber, COL, USAF (Ret.) Selma, TX – Term Expires – 2015

Tim Hannigan, LtCol, USMC (Ret.) Oakton, VA – Term Expires – 2015 Daniel James, III, LtGen, USAF (Ret.) Alexandria, VA – Term Expires – 2015

Bruce Wright, LtGen, USAF (Ret.) Arlington, VA - Term Expires – 2015 Rick Zehrer, BrigGen, USAF (Ret.), The Hills, TX- Term Expires - 2015

 

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WAYS TO SUPPORT THE AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION

With your help, AWCF made a difference in people’s lives during FY 2011. But the needs are still out there – there are still mismatches between what appropriated funds can pay for and the support our warriors and their families need, and we still have folks giving their all to keep us free. This year you can:

• Make a donation. o You can give to the Combined Federal Campaign or United Way

(CFC/ICA#11450 under the title Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund)

o You can mail your donations to the address below or visit our web site – www.airwarriorcourage.org and donate on line.

o You can make a planned gift from your estate to help us in the future. • Identify individuals or projects in need of our help. It may be for you or for a

friend. If it’s within our mission, we are here. • Contact the AWCF National Office (or your local River Rat chapter) to

volunteer your service and ideas or ask for additional information.

Thank you for your support!

Air Warrior Courage Foundation P.O. Box 877, Silver Spring, MD 20918

(301) 588-3283 awcf@airwarriorcourage.org www.airwarriorcourage.org

AWCF is an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is therefore eligible for personal or corporate contributions, as well as United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC/ICA#11450) donations under the title Wounded Warrior Emergency Support Fund.

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