Laced Up & Continuing To Serve
Our world has been rocked by the spread of COVID-19. The ripple effects can be felt across the nation and around the globe and Boot Campaign is no exception.
As we navigate these uncharted waters as a nation, there are four things I want you to know:
- Boot Campaign has always been nimble and flexible, adapting to the most pressing needs of the military community. Our efforts in light of COVID-19 are no different. The Boot Campaign team is diligently working to provide high-touch virtual care. At the beginning of this year, Boot Campaign coincidentally launched additional virtual Health and Wellness endeavors that support holistic health, decision-making, information processing, sleep, pain and mood. Most importantly during this time of self-isolation, these new programs can be done from home using video technology. We are expanding this program, and your contribution of just $100 provides one hour of programming for a veteran or military spouse in need. Donate $100 now.
- The COVID-19 outbreak is a stressor for everyone, ourselves included. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, bored, or anxious, you are not alone. Here a few strategies that may help with coping in our new normal from the Director of our Health and Wellness Program, Dr. Jenny Howland:
- Stick with your routine the best you can during this time. Regular waking, bedtimes, and mealtimes can help bring normalcy to your day. And while lounging in our pj’s is certainly comfortable, try to dress as if you’re meeting people outside the house at least a few times a week.
- Exercise, preferably outside in the sunshine, to get your body moving and release those endorphins.
- Learn something: Try a new hobby, listen to a new podcast, read that book that has been sitting on your nightstand for ages.
- Eat well: Maintaining a nutritious diet can reap not only physical rewards, but mental gains as well.
- Get regular sleep: Catching some shut eye helps improve mood, concentration, and focus. If you have trouble falling asleep, limit watching TV and using your phone at least an hour before bedtime as well as refrain from caffeine intake after 12 pm. It is also helpful to get outside in the natural sunlight about 12 hours before you expect to turn in for the day.
- If you or someone you know could use help from Boot Campaign, visit BootCampaignHelp.org.
- This is a challenging time for all of us, especially non-profits. For Boot Campaign specifically, Q2 is home to our largest fundraising events but each one will be rescheduled for the fall. To stay up to speed on our event dates, continue to visit our events page.
- We need your help to continue to serve veterans struggling to overcome invisible wounds of war like brain injury, PTSD, chronic pain, addiction and insomnia. Become a recurring monthly donor now to help us provide care to those who need it most.
Some may refer to veterans as some of the most vulnerable in this isolating time. However, our Boot Campaign team knows the veteran and military community are also some of the most resilient and resourceful. All of us need the skills, knowledge and abilities that the military community offers from their time in service and collective life experiences.
The Boot Campaign mission to unite Americans to honor and restore the lives of veterans and military families through individualized, life-improving programs continues. In this unprecedented time, we need to unite, connect and support one another in whatever way we can.
We’re in this — together. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Laced up and ready (with nowhere to go) but here to serve veterans and military families,
Shelly Kirkland
Boot Campaign CEO
