Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Military Veteran Project Receives 2015 Best of Topeka Award Topeka Award Program Honors the Achievement TOPEKA July 14, 2015 -- Military Veteran Project has been selected for the 2015 Best of Topeka Award in the Charity Organizations category by the Topeka Award Program. Each year, the Topeka Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Topeka area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 Topeka Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Topeka Award Program and data provided by third parties. About Topeka Award Program The Topeka Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Topeka area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. The Topeka Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy. SOURCE: Topeka Award Program
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Winnie Wright
July 8, 2015 6 pm Valdosta, GA - On July 4th, Jon Kreft says he and his brother Mike were in a bar playing pool, when Mike, an Army Combat veteran, began hearing fireworks. "I was walking behind him, and every time a firework would go off, he was covering his ears and he would jump and flinch," says Jon. "Then he just started crying and started running down the road." He followed Mike home. He knew his brother's PTSD had been triggered by the fireworks. He was going to play music to soothe him. "He went to the bedroom, and right when I was about to get the play button going, I look up, and he looks at me and says I love you." The 27 year-old shot and killed himself. Jon says Mike asked friends and family not to light fireworks on the 4th of July holiday, knowing it was one of his PTSD triggers. However, the message wasn't relayed to his unsuspecting neighbors. "You do things that you don't want to do. You see things you don't want to see, that your brain's not ready for, and you bring it home with you", says Mike Randall, with Hopes and Dreams Riding Facility. He treats vets with PTSD. Randall says when PTSD is triggered, loved ones should intervene, try to calm them, and call for help. His friends say while it was a daily struggle for Mike, the man they lovingly referred to as "spartan" lived each day to the fullest. "I know that he wouldn't want us to be sad about it, because I know that he's in a better place, and I know there's a reason for everything that happens", says Jack Bradley. Another friend, Scott Crawford, adds, "He would have lived life to the fullest and wouldn't let anyone bring him down. He would do what he wants to do." A GoFundMe account has been set up for Mike Kreft's final expenses. You can find that page at gofundme.com/mike_kreft. Mike's friends have arranged for a memorial at the VSU P.E. Complex at 10 am on Friday. The public is welcome to attend. The dress is casual. We did it! Because of your support, donations and sharing of 4th of July Combat Veteran signs initiative, over 2,000 veterans were able to create awareness in their communities by placing a sign in their yard! WWII to present day active duty displayed the signs and felt empowered that they were able to share their story without saying a word! For the last two years, we have been able to work with the Veterans Administration Hospitals across the nation to distribute signs to veterans registered with the VA and diagnosed with PTSD or TBI. We respected the privacy of our veterans and wounded warriors and only posted photos if they were comfortable with doing so.
We are already gearing up for the 2016 year! Our goal is 5,000 signs for veterans around the world, but we need your help by getting out the message, donating or creating awareness in your neighborhood! Want to volunteer to help create awareness? Click here Want to donate for next year? CLICK HERE >> Together we can make a difference! |
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