October Updates!

Fall is upon us and we have a lot of news to share since our last update. We have been busy gearing up for our latest events and opportunities for our families. Thanks to the incredible work of our team.

First off I want to say Congratulations to Kent Wilder this year's RF-LAMBDA Memorial Scholarship recipient. Kent is an amazing young man and Gold Star son who is very focused on his future, achieving success, caring for his family, and offering hope to other surviving families as he plans to work toward a career in medicine.  We hope you will take some time to read about Kent.

We have had many new families register for our programs, so your support is needed more than ever. That being said, I would encourage all of our friends to visit our Honor Wall to read the names of our heroes and consider helping the families they have left behind, in particular spouses and children who are restructuring their lives after loss. Our work is focused on making this transition easier with our program offerings. I always encourage our families to take a look and see what we provide. Even if you came to us for one service you may see another area of support that could benefit you or your family. Our program offerings are meant to provide a holistic approach to transition and healing.

Our Coaching Program is particularly directed toward our spouses as it covers a wide range of services from career support to understanding grief. Both of our coaches Sarah and Susan have a vast array of experience and resources for survivors. So reach out to our Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org to inquire or set up an appointment with Erica Brophy (Gold Star Wife) who is our Financial and Resource Counselor.

We hope our families will check out our upcoming Virtual College Planning Workshop and for those in San Diego the RF-LAMBDA Holiday Open House. Please reach out to our Admin if you would like to take part in either.

I would be remiss if I did not thank the Bergelectric Foundation and our friends from the Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Assembly 0782. I am personally grateful for their recent contributions to our work, especially as the holiday season draws closer and we launch our Holiday Gift Card and Giving Tuesday campaigns. 

Thank you for taking the time to read about our work, our families and supporting our mission to give back to the families who have given their all. Please reach out to us if you would like to get involved or help provide support.

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo
Gold Star wife/President

Remembering 9/11

Our team would be remised if we did not share some words about this very somber day. I will never forget what I was doing twenty years ago.  Mario went into work early while I was engaged in the morning routine with our son who was only a few months old. I was in the kitchen cleaning up when the phone rang. Mario called me yelling to put on the news.  I could hear the horror and rage in his voice. Something I had never experienced. Suddenly, I understood his shock while I watched the nightmare unfolded in front of my eyes. I had no idea what was happening or what either of us said after that. I could not comprehend what was happening nor the impact all of this would have on the individuals that lost their lives that day, their families, nor the first responders. However, I do know in the days that followed our nation came together. So many men and women responded to the call to serve. Not because we called on them but because they felt an intrinsic desire to protect our way of life and as a way of honoring all that died that day. 

For me, since losing Mario, I have found my own call to service. Quite simply, I was blessed to have an opportunity to continue his legacy. Through this gift of the Sugar Bear Foundation, I have found immense purpose and healing. There is a need for the work we are doing because of the incredible men and women who have answered the call and given their lives in service to our country... Today I ask you to continue that service even if for only one day. Call someone who may need to hear a friendly voice, check on an elderly neighbor or volunteer. Give back in honor of all those who were taken from on this day or felt inspired to give back as a result.  Thank you for helping us continue Sugar Bear’s legacy of service while giving back to the families who have given their all. 

Jennifer Carazo 
Gold Star wife/Chairman

Updates and More!

Some quick updates to share before we say goodbye to summer, hello to September, and beautiful fall weather…

Rescheduled: Virtual Financial Literacy Workshop for Spouses and their Teens Preparing for College - Due to a recent storm some of our Team had power and internet issues so we had to reschedule our virtual workshop. We hope spouses and teens will still be able to join us on August 29th.

We receive a lot of inquiries daily from families dealing with the loss of their service members and we are working to best serve your needs. Such loss is incredibly traumatic and takes a great deal of support. We are here for these families and continue to stand by their side. Our Team knows this path all too well and continues to create and expand our programs, offer events, and form partnerships with other organizations that can not only assist us with our mission, but our families too. Additionally, we are directing our funding and fundraising toward such endeavors. As such, we look forward to sharing some new opportunities soon. For now, spouses please check out our latest offerings and new Career Survey. Your participation helps direct our time and efforts. We also invite you to share your loved one on our Honor Wall. It's our way of honoring your family's service and sacrifice.

Thank you!  To our friends and supporters, we thank you for helping us give back to the families who have given their all in service to our country.  As always please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you would like to get involved or help us fundraise. 

To our families, we hope you will check out the upcoming events and opportunities. Please know we are here for you!  To our supporters thank you for helping us give back to spouses and children who have given their all. 

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo 
President/Gold Star wife 

Thank You for Supporting Sugar Bear's Virtual Memorial Run and Upcoming Events

We greatly appreciate everyone who participated in Sugar Bear's Virtual Memorial Run. I know he would be honored for this event, especially since funds raised go to our programs and those of the Marine Corps Association. Our plan is to grow this event so we can continue to share his story and celebrate his life while we raise awareness on behalf of my fellow Gold Star families. 

We have a lot of opportunities for our families as our Team continues to work and provide support. We are very excited to share a new scholarship (San Diego Families) on behalf of our friends from Cal Coast Academy. Additionally, we have our upcoming Bank of America Virtual Financial Literacy Workshop for Spouses and Teens preparing for College.  If you are a spouse with entrepreneurial goals, want to start your own business, or expand an existing one then the Rosie Network's Service2CEO Program may be for you. Contact our Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org to view a recorded information session, attend a new one or simply get more program information. 

For spouses and coordinators in North Carolina (close to Seymour Johnson  Air Force Base), we will be offering a Lunch and Learn about our programs and services. We hope you will join us! 

As always we welcome and appreciate your support. If you have an idea that you would like to share with us please contact our  Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org.

To our families, we hope you will check out the upcoming events and opportunities. Please know we are here for you!  To our supporters thank you for helping us give back to spouses and children who have given their all. 

Thank you,

Jennifer Carazo 
President/Gold Star wife