PLEASE HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE…

…with just a few minutes of your time

Several months ago, we were looking for a legitimate, honest, clear-principled charitable organization that could use some pro bono assistance with the services our company provides. And, although there were many that met the criteria, I was particularly hoping to find one that was also dedicated to serving the specific needs of veterans and active-duty military personnel.

A friend arranged a meeting with Jeff Zyburt, president of the newly-created Warrior Institute for Rehabilitation & Optimal Conditioning (a.k.a Warrior Institute), and his daughter Tonia, who is the institute’s program director and site coordinator. The organization is dedicated to helping wounded veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) lead normal, productive lives through a combination of biofeedback and recreational-based therapies.  Jeff is a long-time automotive guy, with over 25 years OEM management experience in the areas of product development, testing, quality control, facilities management, union relations and international business. He currently is president of a Michigan-based consulting firm serving clients in the areas of organizational structure building, process development and deployment, and metrics development and deployment.

Tonia (a.k.a Toni) did her undergrad studies at U-M, and received her masters from East Carolina University (ECU) in recreational therapy. While at ECU, she met the director of the school’s Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic, and became interested in the research they were doing. She was able to participate in some of the clinic’s studies that were centered on helping returning soldiers – especially those with PTSD and/or TBI – address and cope with these issues as they transitioned from active duty to civilian life. The studies achieved great successes by providing biofeedback training, which helps ameliorate emotional, psychological, cognitive and physical symptoms associated with combat and military services.

Long story short (LSS): Soon, Toni came up with the idea of combining her experience in recreation and adventure-based therapy with these biofeedback services, thereby creating an altogether new approach to PTSD/TBI therapy. She got really pumped up about the successes and the possibilities of the new approach, explained it all to Jeff, and introduced him to an enthusiastic ECU staff. Jeff became really interested, quaffed a couple of beers over several dinner meetings, decided his expertise melded in unbelievably well with the program’s potential growth, said “why not really do this right?”…and the Warrior Institute was created. The use of a 600-acre site, the former Ocala Jockey Club near Reddick, FL, was arranged, and awaits finalization of the organization’s legal non-profit status.

LSS part 2: During our meeting, it became apparent that the Warrior Institute met our criteria exactly, and that they badly needed a website. As we were briefed on the program’s objectives and goals, we got excited about it as well, and agreed to donate our services to develop a site. We asked if they currently had a logo or corporate identity, and realized that what they had needed to be a whole lot better to be truly effective. We told them we’d also do a complete corporate identity program for them as part of the effort.

LSS part 3: In the beginning of August 2012, a seminar/pre-pilot program was held at the Warrior Institute’s future Florida location. Its purpose was to present all of the Warrior Institute’s proposed programs to a group of wounded warriors – asking them to provide feedback, personal insight and experience to further shape and develop the programs for maximum effectiveness. Their input was incorporated into the programs, and the first pilot program is targeted for January 2013, with the first actual wave scheduled to commence shortly thereafter.

The link to their site, which also incorporates this new identity, is included below. But that’s not the primary purpose of this blog entry.  You see, we need your help…

The Warrior Institute applied for its official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status over 10 months ago. After being told by the government agent who was handling the paperwork that only two lines on the original boatload of forms needed to be altered, and that everything else was in order, the Warrior Institute has been patiently waiting, since January of this year, for the final confirmation of its non-profit organization status. Calls from the institute’s accountant to the IRS confirmed that the case file is indeed on an agent’s desk, and that it will be processed in due time, as the revised (per their request) forms were now again at the bottom of the case file pile (poetic, eh?).

Bureaucratic roadblock.

Unfortunately, this is also suspending the flow of incoming donations. Most of the organizations and persons who have expressed interest and intent in contributing to the program also expect to be able to legally deduct portions of their charitable contributions for tax purposes – which is only allowable after the institute receives its 501(c)(3) designation. And, although discussions with several defense-based government organizations regarding federal grants for the program have thus far been promising, these funds cannot be used for infrastructure purposes (facilities, equipment, etc.). Result: A quintessential “Catch-22.”

We NEED your help. Here’s what we’re asking…

Check out the site, learn about the program (I don’t have enough space here to explain how truly important and beneficial it can be for veterans with PTSD/TBI and their families), feel free to call or email the Warrior Institute if you have any questions or need additional information, share the site’s link and information with others, then…

…call or email your U. S. Congressmen or Senators. Let them know you’re interested in the program, and ask if they can somehow use their position to try to help the Warrior Institute expedite the process of receiving their final 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Dozens of former combat veterans and their families, who are truly hoping to benefit from the Warrior Institute’s programs, are waiting in the wings. A few minutes of your time just might make a huge difference. (Below is a link to a Word doc of a suggested letter you can use if you wish.)

You have our sincere thanks for your time and interest. Here’s the link to the Warrior Institute site:
http://www.warriorinstitute.org/

Here’s a link to a listing of U.S. Senators and their contact info:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Here’s a link to a listing of U.S. Representatives and their contact info:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/

And here’s the draft letter:
Congressional Letter

Thanks again!