Project Sanctuary Blog

~through the eyes of a volunteer

Gretchen Ehle Zimmer

March 9, 2010

Over the years, I have been honored by the ability to work with military families.  In doing so, it has become increasingly obvious what family means to military members.  Groups of military families live in close proximity to each other, creating a subculture atmosphere.  Families within each group build great trust and respect for each other and use this like a security net during times of deployment or need.  The type of individuals that you meet in the military are extremely disciplined, self sacrificing and generous.  That is why I believe that they are able to do what they do. 

Now think just for a minute of that type of commitment, the magnitude of giving from one individual to many others.  Can you imagine the love and commitment that these military men and women feel for their own families if that is what they feel for our country?  They are willing to sacrifice their lives for America; think of what they would do for a spouse or child! Imagine how distraught they might feel to not be able to be the family member they once were or to “be there” for their family and complete normal everyday duties?

All too often, a soldier is not capable of being a “normal” member of the family immediately upon returning home from service.  Why is this?  It is my belief that many men and women who return to the arms of their loving families are not able to function as the family member they were previously because they are not the same person.  The soldier has lived an entirely different life, seen horrific things, completed unspeakable duties, and has established bonds with other people that they may never see again.  That is a lot of anxiety, trauma, loss and grief to deal with in addition to the immediate needs that are manifesting and waiting at home with anxious family members.  It may be not possible for anyone to successfully resume normal living without intervention.  It is not that the soldiers and families want discord, quite the opposite, they have had plenty of that! What they really want is to “get back to normal” or at the very least be able to quickly modify and adjust their lives in a positive way.

This is why the efforts of Project Sanctuary are so important and necessary to military families.  It allows the family unit as a whole to start over; it allows families  to get back to the basics rather than expecting life to positively progress just because a person believes it should.  (In guidance and development they refer to this as “shouldering on yourself,” just not a good idea!)  Project Sanctuary offers a safe haven for the entire family in order to reconnect through healthy choices, healthy camaraderie, support and play. 

It is not as punishment that the families’ cabins are not equipped with the distractions of modern technology.  The families are meant to turn to each other, talking and spending valuable time together.  No duties or commitments, just good ole’ bonding and re-bonding.  It is amazing to watch families reconnect by playing games, working together, laughing, and building new memories.  No one expects that the soldier’s negative experiences or trauma will be immediately or permanently erased, but it sure is a happy beginning.  Through professional support as well as great activities, Project Sanctuary families are reconnected with positive experiences and  some priceless pictures to remember everything.   

Project Sanctuary is providing a new foundation to the entire family unit.  It is no easy task, but they sure do make it look easy and fun!  I am fortunate to be involved in this amazing and rewarding non-profit organization.  It is my hope that others will also recognize the tremendous positive impact that Project Sanctuary provides so that many more families who want the chance to reconnect after deployment are able to do so.

How much does your family mean to you?

Imagine if you weren’t able to “be there” for them?

Amazingly, there is hope, thank you Project Sanctuary for the assistance, support and understanding that your organization provides to all military men and women!

A very well done documentary.   It makes our stateside, Monday jobs seem mundane. Yoinked from MSNBC.

This is the story of the men from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines deployed in a ghost town surrounded by the Tailban, in Helmand Providence, June 2009 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34523606/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia

SHAME ON YOU!

A wonderful story! Joey just returned from a long deployment. Melissa was so happy to have her husband home again! They were giddy! In love, happy to be together again, and excited to pick up their dreams where they had left off. The couple had been saving for Joey’s dream truck. They didn’t want to spend the money on a new truck, so they started shopping the dealers for a great used model.

One of the dealers really wanted Joey and Melissa’s business and found out that their favorite charity was Project Sanctuary. Through Melissa, who volunteers for Project Sanctuary, a pledge was made to donate $1000 if they bought the truck there. Joey and Melissa were ecstatic because they could help their favorite charity too! As they were signing the papers, Joey and Melissa called us from the dealership and told us of the his pledge of support.

The Gala dinner was coming up, so we extended a dinner invitation to the dealer and promised to note his pledge of support in the program, which we did.

That was three months ago. We haven’t seen the money yet. SHAME ON YOU, used car and truck dealer!

I have been drug, kicking and screaming into the new arena of social networking!  Wasn’t my life as a mom, nurse and executive director already busy enough?  I will have to admit that at first I strongly resented having to go onto FaceBook, now…..  well, just because I check it daily doesn’t mean I am addicted , does it?

So, this blog is for all of YOU.  We want your stories from the sand boxes, we want to hear about your life as a military spouse, the deployments and the joys of reintegrations.  How about the kids telling their stories? We can comment on the news, or just send in your funniest stories, pictures or photos!!

This is your blog, the military family PS blog…… 

Send in all submissions to: Heather@projectsanctuary.us

 Heather

PS…… Thank you!!

Ways to Help

Project Sanctuary was founded with the belief that the best way to support our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan is by supporting the whole family. We do this by providing therapeutic retreats, right here in Colorado. We create a Sanctuary, a place of healing, helping to create good memories and new support systems.

Project Sanctuary uses Diversion Therapy or Recreation Therapy to break through walls and foster an environment of healing. Child abuse triples when a parent is deployed. Now we are in our 8th year on the War on Terror. These families are facing their 5th and 6th deployments. They need our support!

Suicides, divorces and abuse are all at record numbers. Join with us today as we continue to make a difference. Supporting Project Sanctuary is a great way to “support” the troops and say thank you!

Donations of every size are needed to help keep these retreats absolutely FREE for our military families. Volunteers make up the bulk of our “work” force and energy, we couldn’t do any of this without good people ready to give back!

As we celebrate our 2nd year helping those that protect us, we are planning 8 new retreats for 2010. Join us on this amazing journey and say “thank you, we support you” to all of our Military Families.

Sometimes sending a box of cookies just isn’t enough.

Thank you,

Heather Maxey

Executive Director and Founder