Register Now for Sugar Bear’s Virtual Memorial Run - July 22nd
There is still time to register for Sugar Bear’s Virtual Memorial Run! You can run, bike, hike or walk in honor of our hero. Funds from this event will help support both Marines and our programs/events as well as initiatives we are trying to launch. Help us celebrate Sugar Bear’s life this Monday, July 22nd in a way that is truly impactful.
The first 300 participants to complete the event will receive an exclusive race pin with the image above. The registration fee is $25.
CLICK HERE to Register
All proceeds support the Sugar Bear Foundation and MCAF's programs for Marines!
To Track Your Mileage: You can record your miles on your phone with the Map My Run mobile app. Download the Map My Run mobile app and add "MarineCorps Association" as your friend (note: there is no space between Marine and Corps). We will add you to the event you registered for so you can track your progress and the progress of other runners. Please also note that this step is NOT a requirement for this virtual challenge.
EVENT DETAILS AND SCHEDULE
This is a virtual challenge where you can run, walk, bike or hike any time, anywhere to complete the mileage on July 22. Use #EveryClimeandPlaceChallenge on social media!
CLICK HERE to Register
Second Forum Series - "Navigating Your Strengths"
In April we will join our partners from the MCRD Museum Foundation’s Family Forever program in hosting a very special workshop for Gold Star families, Navigating Your Strengths. This incredible seminar is conducted by Sarah Davis. Davis has a vast level of experience working with Gold Star families. She brings the perfect level of expertise in helping survivors find a renewed purpose and meaning to their lives after dealing with trauma and loss.
Gold Star Family Gatherings
We are happy to share two upcoming events for San Diego Gold Star families in conjunction with our partnership through the MCRD Museum Foundation’s Family Forever program…
If you would like more information about joining the Family Forever program, please contact Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org .
Marine West/Semper Fi Mixer
We had a great time attending Marine West and hosting the Semper Fi Mixer. It was wonderful to have some Gunfighters in attendance. Make sure to join us next year!
Merry Margaritas
Thank you to some San Diego friends and supporters who held a silent auction in honor of The Sugar Bear Foundation. Additionally, guests donated toys that we were able to deliver to a special surviving family. Such donations and efforts enable us to do our work and we are always grateful. If you are interested in fundraising or hosting an event for us, please contact admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org
Holiday Open House
On Saturday December 8th we joined our scholarship partner, RF-LAMBDA in holding a holiday open house for Gold Star families. They provided families with a tour of their beautiful new facility, lunch, holiday gifts, crafts and a brief overview of the RF-LAMBDA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Mario “Sugar Bear” Carazo. Additionally, they introduced the new internship program, Science Saturdays, and a very special opportunity for a Gold Star student interested in a STEM career to attend a program this summer in Boston with the RF-LAMBDA team.
We are very grateful for RF-LAMBDA’s support of our work and Gold Star families. Please check back soon as we will have our scholarship, internship, and Boston conference applications available shortly.
Path to Wellness Women's Retreat Update
We recently joined our partner from the MCRD Command Museum’s Family Forever program in launching the first of a three-part forum series for Gold Star wives and families. Topics of discussion included: wellness, resiliency, and new beginnings. Gold Star children had their own activities during the forum to provide them comfort and healing in dealing with loss.
Giving Tuesday - Help Support the Sugar Bear Foundation
Mission
The Sugar Bear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) formed in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Mario “Sugar Bear” Carazo who made the ultimate sacrifice on July 22, 2010 when his AH-1W Super Cobra was shot down while supporting Marines engaged in a firefight.
The Mission of the Foundation is to support the surviving spouses and children of fallen United States military personnel through programs that meet their immediate and ongoing needs and foster their personal, emotional, and social well-being.
We focus on providing assistance through educational, career and financial initiatives because these were areas “Sugar Bear” deemed important and we know there is a vital need in the survivor community.
Programs
We provide social, emotional and financial support through our partnership with the MCRD Command Museums’ Family Forever program which has included gift cards to Gold Star spouses to purchase school supplies for their children. Additionally, a three-part forum series was developed for Gold Star spouses and their families to provide support focusing on topics such as resiliency, transition, educational and career resources.
RF-LAMBDA Memorial Scholarship in Honor of Lieutenant Colonel Mario “Sugar Bear” Carazo
STEM and Internship Program through our partnership with RF-LAMBDA (launching 2019)
Financial and Academic initiatives coming in 2019
Women’s Forum
We are very excited to announce the first of a three-part forum series with our partners from the MCRD Command Museum’s Family Forever Program. Children are welcome and will have their own structured activities. We have spent several months working on this series and the goal has been to provide something truly unique to Gold Star spouses and their families. We will be joined by some amazing partners to not only share invaluable resources but to help women and families gain a new sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.