Annual Report

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Annual Report

• The Silver Star Families of America
• Report on 2008 and Projections for 2009

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The Silver Star Families of America
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From The President

• During the second year of my term as President,
  my vision for the SSFOA will be to continue and
  expand our service to our wounded and ill
  children.

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Accomplishments for 2008

• THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA IS PROUD TO
  ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE REACHED THE 1 MILLION
  DOLLAR MARK IN DONATIONS TO OUR WOUNDED AND ILL.
• The SSFOA was founded in 2005 with one mission
  To remember, honor and assist the wounded and ill
  of our Armed Forces from all wars.
• Since that time, our members have donated more
  than 1 million dollars in volunteer time and
  material all while operating on a shoestring
  budget.
• Membership in 2005 8
• Membership in 2008 Approx. 2000
• Over two thousand Silver Star Banners and
  Certificates have been provided free of charge to
  our wounded and ill valued at approx, 40,000.

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Continued

• The SSFOA has become a Veterans Administration
  Volunteer Services Advisory Board Member and we
  have donated hundreds of care packages and cards
  and letters to our wounded, ill and homeless
  valued at approx. 30,000 dollars of donated
  material being given to Veterans Facilities in
  all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
• Volunteers with the SSFOA have donated 47,912
  hours valued at 934,763.00.

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Continued

• The SSFOA is a certifying organization with the
  Presidential Volunteer awards program and have
  issued 21 awards.
• The SSFOA has become one of the leading advocates
  for those wounded with Post Traumatic Stress with
  testimony given before Congress.
• Testifying organization with the Senate Veterans
  Affairs Committee.
• The SSFOA is a member of Guide star and 97.6 of
  every dollar donated goes to program services.
• The SSFOA is the sponsor of Silver Star Banner
  Day on May 1st of every year. In 2008, 46
  states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin
  Islands and over 180 cities signed proclamations
  for our wounded.

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Continued
SILVER STAR PROGRAMS FOR WOUNDED AND ILL AND
FAMILIESSilver Star Families assists our wounded
and families thru programs geared to help the
healing process. It is our wish to help you find
avenues to meet your need. We also extend an
invitation to join our online community.  JOIN
SSFOA SILVER STAR BANNER SSFOA wishes to honor
all service members injured in the combat zone
and/or those with related illnesses including
PTSD, Gulf War Syndrome, Agent Orange, injured by
friendly fire. We also honor Purple Heart
recipients. To Request a Banner go to REQUEST
BANNER GAMES FOR WOUNDEDSilver Star Families
joins with Soldiers' Angels in their Lend a Hand
Program. "Poly Trauma patients enjoy the games,
and increase their hand eye coordination," said
Steve Newton, Co-founder of The Silver Star
Families of America. An article on The Washington
Post site quotes the folks at Walter Reed
hospital in DC, who report that videogames make
excellent therapy sessions for soldiers wounded
in the Iraq conflict. In addition to the obvious
medical benefits of refining motor control via
controllers, the entertainment allows soldiers to
reconnect to experiences they may have had prior
to their combat experiences. Therapists see the
games benefiting patients with nearly any kind of
injury, including patients with traumatic brain
injuries. Click on GAMES FOR WOUNDED to request
games for wounded during their hospital stay.
SSFOA also has a program to honor CARE GIVERS
and MILITARY WORKING DOGS

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Continued

• HONORING HUNGRY HEROES WITH FOOD CARDS
• National SSFOA has launched a new program
• "Honoring Hungry Heroes."  McDonald's and Taco
  Bell gift cards treat our Wounded Heroes to a
  meal or two at these restaurants and possibly
  their family too. Wounded or family member may
  request Food Cards during  your hospital stay by
  clicking on HONORING HUNGRY HEROES. Use the same
  link if you wish to donate to this worthy cause.
  
• SILVER STAR LETTER WRITING TEAM
• SSFOA members join together in supporting our
  wounded overseas, statewide and in Veterans
  hospitals and homes with letters and cards. The
  team plans to reach a goal of 10,000 letters
  during the National Salute to Hospitalized
  Veterans. Please
• JOIN SSFOA  to become a Silver Star volunteer and
  indicate that you wish to join the Writing Team.

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Continued

• PTSD  and TBI RESOURCES
• SSFOA teamed up with Give an Hour  an
  organization dedicated to developing and
  maintaining a national network of volunteers
  capable of responding to both acute and chronic
  conditions that arise within our society.  Their
  first target is the Soldiers and their families
  who are being affected by the current conflicts.
  Click on for details.

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Continued

• Dedicated to John A. Courant the "Destroyerman"
• The Silver Star Families of America and the Thank
  You Foundation wish to say THANK YOU to our many
  Patriots who have been wounded while actively
  serving the United States of America by
  presenting them with a Certificate.
•  

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Projections for 2009
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Financial Forecast
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2009

• The SSFOA will continue with its main mission,
  which is to honor our wounded and ill with
  Banners and Certificates

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Post Traumatic Stress

• The SSFOA will continue to be a leader in the
  fight for those wounded with PTS.

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Silver Star Service Banner Day

• The SSFOA will continue to sponsor Silver Star
  Service Banner Day. For 2009 we are asking 5000
  cities to issue proclamations to honor the day.

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Trademark

• The SSFOA has trademarked our Flag and Banner.

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Awards and Recognition
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Definition of Wounded

• Definition of war zone determined by the
  Department of Defense"
• Any Armed Forces personnel either currently
  serving honorably or those who have served
  honorably from any war, who having served in a
  war zone has been wounded by enemy action or who
  have been injured or contracted a serious illness
  that could be rated at least 10 disabled by the
  Department of Veterans Affairs. All wounds,
  injuries or illness must have originated in a war
  zone. Purple Heart recipients, victims of
  friendly fire, injured in a war zone, those who
  suffer from PTSD, Agent Orange effects and Gulf
  War syndrome.

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Care Givers

• The SSFOA will continue to honor care givers who
  have taken care of our wounded in a war zone.

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Military Working Dogs

• The SSFOA will continue to honor any MWD wounded
  by enemy action.

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Conclusion

• For the year of 2009, the SSFOA will continue and
  expand its mission to remember, honor and assist
  the wounded and ill of our Armed Forces from ALL
  wars.