At every official Chive Meetup it happens. Soldiers drop by to thank me and theCHIVE for keeping them in good humor while they were on deployment. I’ll really never understand what theCHIVE means to our soldiers abroad and I always feel like I should be thanking them, not the other way around. Surely I’m not protecting our freedom with memes and cleavage after all.
But I’m glad we can help, it’s the small things sometimes. And we try to give back to our sailors and soldiers however we can, whenever we can, From Taylor Morris to letting y’all be the very first to try KCCO Black Lager.
Starting with the very first meetup, I started becoming familiar with a term I hadn’t heard before, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). I remember meeting the first Chiver who had it. His name was Steven. I’ve met hundreds now. You never forget these encounters. Steven looked at me and told me how important it was to make PTSD a national talking point, maybe theCHIVE could help get the word out? This sentiment has resinated with every service man and woman with PTSD I’ve met.
Coming back from war and adjusting to the ‘new normal’ isn’t easy. Often, the tiniest things can trigger split second changes in the body. Sometimes, it manifests itself in darker things. The gamut of traumatic incidents our service men and women can be exposed to during war is frighteningly broad. Many bring home the invisible wounds of war.
The stigma we attach to mental disorders in America hasn’t helped. Friends and family can have trouble coping with a loved one with PTSD almost as much as the sufferer. Each case is different and the treatments vary. Nobody has pinpointed the exact cause – genes and specific areas of the brain seem to be the culprits.
Over the last couple months we started exploring our options at Chive Charities. We wanted to weigh in on PTSD but we didn’t know how. Then our executive director, Brian Mercedes suggested, “We should make a fucking huge donation. Make a statement that we mean business when it comes to helping people with PTSD.”
Brian was right, not only does this cause need more recognition but it also meets the ‘fucking huge’ criteria by which the Chivers give.
Today we’re announcing a $40,000 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Specifically, the Combat Stress Recovery Program for PTSD.
The Wounded Warrior Project approaches PTSD from the warrior’s perspective. We’re especially excited to be able to help Project Odyssey. Pictured above, the program uses the healing power of nature, along with support from mental health professionals and staff, to help wounded service members gain perspective on life through outdoor activities and retreats.
All this was made possible by our members at Chive Charities who donate to theCHIVE Fund. You’ll always recognize these Chivers at the meetups by their Green Ribbon tees. If you see them in the wild, RAK the shit out of them. Our Green, Silver, and Gold Chive Charities badasses and our soldiers are the heart n’ soul of theCHIVE community. It’s poetic that they overlap here. We know many Chive Charities members are also veterants. Thanks so much to you all.
This one’s for you, Steven, and all the Chivers with PTSD who have spoken so passionately to Leo and I on the subject.
Stay tuned tomorrow for a very emotional update on our little Zoe. You won’t wanna miss it.
Donate to theCHIVE Fund RIGHT HERE.
Google
Facebook
