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Dear Friends,
I am proud to present our 2011 Annual Report. This report provides an overview of our financial status and a snapshot of another challenging but extremely successful year.
2011 was a record year of support for our Foundation and the EOD community and families with the highest number for Wounded EOD Warriors and fallen service members since the start of the current war(s). This information is always emotionally difficult to report but we feel necessary for you to have a good understanding of how we manage our donations.
In 2011, we issued over $350K in grants and assistance to over 60 families; 56 of which were newly combat injured EOD technicians that returned stateside for care. These Warriors are from all four services and received care at various military medical treatment facilities across the United States including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Brooke Army Medical Center, Balboa Naval Hospital, and others. While the news of having so many injured EOD technicians is not good, the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation remains able to sustain and provide the much needed financial and emotional support and assistance.
We cannot predict what the operational tempo will be or how many families we can anticipate helping each year. The good news is that through careful management, generous donors, corporate sponsors, a responsible board of directors, volunteers and so many more, we were able to provide the initial grants and follow on assistance to our Wounded EOD Warriors and their families. The injuries sustained range in severity; each having lifelong effects on the service member and family. While there are catastrophic physical injuries that are visible, we also need to remember the invisible wounds like TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Over the past five years, I have met some amazing men and women who choose to do this dangerous job for our country. They continue to inspire me and as a foundation we have so much admiration for their strength and determination to move forward into a new phase for their life. I am also constantly reminded of the generosity of so many who continue to support our organization in a variety of ways.
As we begin to draw down forces in Iraq and Afghanistan it is more apparent to us the potential need for our services in the future. Our Board of Directors remains diligent and steadfast to our vision and mission in support of the EOD community. We continue to build our endowment and I am pleased to share that in March, we crossed over the $1 million mark; a true milestone for a grassroots operation such as ours. We keep gaining momentum through our Annual Fundraising events, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #37190) and generous donations.
In closing, I offer a very heartfelt thanks to our brave men and women who serve our country, our families and all who support our troops both at home and deployed. Thank you also for your continued support to the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation - together we make a difference.
Warmest Regards,
Sherri. R. Beck
