TMF Veteran Mentor delivers Character Does Matter Presentation at a high school.
“Our goal is to ensure that veterans and families of the fallen can rely on long-term support. We want to make sure Travis Manion Foundation has sustainable funding so they can focus on delivering high-quality programs for the long-term”
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (PRWEB) May 01, 2019
Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one of the nation’s leading veteran nonprofit organizations, has been gifted a $250,000, 4 year endowment, which will be known as the “Sheriff Foundation Veteran Leadership Endowment”. This gift has been established by Alan and Karen Sheriff of Newtown, PA. to increase TMF’s support to veterans and families of fallen heroes.
Proud parents of Marine veteran Andrew Sheriff and active duty Marine Reservist Daniel Sheriff, the Sheriff family strongly supports those that have served and sacrificed for our country through military service as well as their families. Andrew Sheriff took part in TMF’s first Veteran Leadership Expedition in 2017, and said “The expedition helped me re-center my life after my service with the Marine Corps. To this day, I have enduring friendships that were forged on the expedition.” The Sheriff Family is hoping to grow the endowment and has extended an open invitation to other possible donors to expand the impact.
“Our goal is to ensure that veterans and families of the fallen can rely on long-term support. Travis Manion Foundation has created a strong community for veterans and their families. We want to make sure Travis Manion Foundation has sustainable funding so they can focus on delivering high quality programs for the long-term”, said Karen Sheriff, President of the Sheriff Foundation.
This Veteran Leadership Endowment will enable TMF to improve on existing training, as well as develop new training, in support of veterans and families of the fallen to deliver TMF’s marquee program - Character Does Matter. The Character Does Matter program deploys Veteran Mentors to teach youth about character leveraging their personal leadership experience and stories about our fallen heroes. Studies have shown that 55% of veterans feel disconnected from civilian life. Additionally, 1 in 3 young adults have never had a positive role model. Travis Manion Foundation bridges both problems by providing veterans the opportunity to continue to serve while also providing youth positive role models. By sharing stories of real people who exemplify great character and leadership, Veteran Mentors demonstrate what it means to live the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos – and then challenges students to do the same. As part of the program, students commit to participating in a service project to honor a fallen hero.
In partnership with Syracuse University's Institute of Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), TMF engaged in an 18 month study to quantify the impact of its programs. IVMF found that veterans that were highly engaged with TMF programs were significantly more likely to report higher levels of emotional and mental health. They also found that TMF Veteran Mentors are having a big impact on young adults who showed significant increases in caring, educational expectations, pro-social attitudes and greater negative attitudes towards risky behaviors following the Character Does Matter program.
For over a decade, Travis Manion Foundation has been providing best-in-class programs to veterans and families of the fallen, calling upon their strength of character and selfless service to lead our communities and inspire our youth. TMF President Ryan Manion said, “With the creation of this generous endowment from the Sheriff family, TMF will be able to impact thousands of more veterans and their families, to contribute towards our mission of strengthening America’s National Character.”
To inquire about contributing towards this endowment, contact TMF Chief Development Officer Courtney Mitchell at courtney@travismanion.org.
About Travis Manion Foundation
Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) unites communities to strengthen America's national character by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop and lead future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt. Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation.
The story of 1st Lt. Travis Manion and his Naval Academy brother Lt. (SEAL) Brendan Looney have been publicized in the book Brothers Forever, and additional information about the Foundation can be found at http://www.travismanion.org.