Gold Star Financial Assistance Program Update

As the holidays are quickly approaching, this is usually a time of great joy and festivities for many. We at the Sugar Bear Foundation recognize that many of our Gold Star families are struggling financially which can leave an insurmountable burden on them. This year, due to an amazing outpouring of generosity from our supporters, we were able to launch our Financial Assistance Program for Gold Star spouses. In the last few months, we have been able to assist with medical bills and regular monthly challenges. We continue to receive inquiries into this program from spouses in need. Some have been impacted by COVID and others simply need assistance due to unforeseen circumstances.

Losing a spouse in service to our country changes these families' lives forever and we are working to help make this path a little more bearable. This holiday season we want to take some needed steps by providing more assistance so they know that we truly recognize their sacrifice and help them start to reveal that new path. Any financial support you can offer the Sugar Bear Foundation and the Gold Star families we serve is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo
Chairman and Gold Star wife

Transitioning to a New Life

I love serving as our Chairman and some days I cannot even believe I am here working in this capacity. When Mario was killed, I was teaching online at the university level for an institution that served the military community. I had no idea how I would maintain such a position while assuming the role of both mom and dad to our children. I was blessed to have a lot of support from my parents, wonderful friends, and an intense desire to do both and do them well. Our children will always be my focus even now as they are transitioning to young adults but adding programs and opportunities that will help enrich the lives of Gold Star families also brings me an incredible sense of fulfillment. Partly because I know it would be important to Sugar Bear, but also because I know it is needed.

Our team is working to help these families transition to a new life, although different then they envisioned, but one that can also bring them fulfillment and meaning! It gives me great joy to share we have some new opportunities for our families that align with our mission of providing educational, career, and financial support. I hope you will continue to read on about our scholarship recipients, upcoming events, and more… As always, I want to thank you for supporting our work and invite you to join our mission in any way possible.

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo
Chairman and Gold Star wife

New Programs and Opportunities for Gold Star Spouses and Children

I am excited to share that we are officially launching our new Financial Assistance Program. This goes beyond a labor of love for me. It has been both an objective of our work and a personal goal of mine. There is a need for this type of assistance, and it should not be a surprise. We know many of our military families are struggling financially and  I can assure you this scenario is only compounded with the death of the service member. Sugar Bear always told me if I had a problem to fix it! Not to wait for someone else to step up. So, we are putting his words into action. 

We are also joining the Family Forever program in co-hosting a virtual workshop for Gold Star teens exploring college. We know this process is a bit more challenging now with COVID-19 and we are hoping to remove some of that stress. Additionally, with school starting, we want to remind our families that we still have funding from our amazing scholarship sponsor, RF-LAMBDA for online tutoring. 

As always, if you would like to help us grow our mission, I encourage you to reach out to our Admin@thesugarbearfoundaiton.org.  All of our programs, events, and services are dependent on the generous support we receive. Please know I am personally grateful as you all have enabled us to not only continue Sugar Bear's legacy of service but give back to the spouses and children who have given their all! 

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo 
Gold Star wife and Chairman 

May is a Very Special Month for Us

May 25th is Sugar Bear's birthday, so we are dedicating this month to celebrating his life, highlighting our work, and focusing on community engagement.  If you are not already, make sure to follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter) as we share in more details our programs and opportunities for Gold Star families and his story.

During the last four years we have been incredibly blessed for the support and assistance we have received. We have implemented a scholarship, internship and other educational programs as well as events that have provided both spouses and children the opportunity to forge a new path after loss, one that will enable them to create a more fulfilling life.

Additionally, we are in the process of implementing new programs that will address and assist spouses with career transition and financial support. I am personally grateful for what we have been able to achieve. To say this is a labor of love for me would be a gross understatement. The Sugar Bear Foundation has completely redirected my life to one that is now focused on service and assisting the families of our fallen. One that I know would make Sugar Bear genuinely happy because of his devotion to his fellow Marines and Sailors.

If I learned anything from our twenty years together it was to remain vigilant in my objectives. I am, and so is our team, as we look forward to making an even greater impact and reaching Gold Star families across the nation. I hope you will join us in whatever you can do. This month, especially, we are asking our friends to sign up for Sugar Bear’s Memorial Virtual Run (in honor of his birthday) and truly making this a day of giving, make a donation or simply help us spread our mission. Additionally, this Tuesday, May 5th is Giving Tuesday and another means of support for our work. It all helps, and we are grateful! Please know we are always open to suggestions so reach out if you have an idea, suggestion or want to help us implement a program.

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo

Gold Star Wife and Chairman