Thank you to Our Scholarship Sponsor - RF-LAMBDA
We are incredibly grateful to our scholarship sponsor, RF-LAMBDA, for their continued belief in our mission and support of our work. In the last few years they have enabled us to provide scholarships, internships, STEM events, and now a tutoring program for Gold Star children. We appreciate all they are doing and so do the families enrolled in this amazing new program.
“I can’t thank you all enough for your gratitude for Tony’s sacrifice. I remember when he was first killed, ten years ago, the amount of love and support coming our way was overwhelming. A fear struck inside me that eventually, Tony would be forgotten. Here we are, an entire decade later and being given this gift, in the name of his sacrifice truly proves that my fears were unfounded. All 3 of the kids’ grades have improved since we began the tutoring. It’s an invaluable resource that we would not have otherwise had access to. This pandemic and distance learning turned school in to this dreaded task for the kids. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for offering them a path toward enjoying learning again. Judah, in particular, looks forward to his sessions. I can’t tell you how HUGE that is. He is thirteen years old and I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve heard of him looking forward to anything instructional. Thank you again Sugar Bear Foundation!
Love, Tony’s Gold Star Family, Erica, Judah, Lulu and Mila”
This was us a few months after he died and then again in 2017 at his grave at Arlington.
Tony with baby Judah, Halloween 2007
The kids on the first day of “school” this year. No shoes because, distance learning haha
“Tutoring is going great! Robert, Alex's tutor, is very engaging and Alex enjoys working with him. Alex has always struggled with math and it has become a subject that he hates. Having the math tutoring is really helping Alex build his confidence in his own abilities. The one on one time with someone that is knowledgeable in the subject and dedicated to helping Alex grow has been an invaluable blessing during such a difficult time of transition in regards to my son’s education. I really can’t say thank you enough for helping relieve this stressor from our lives.
Thank you”
Resume Scholarship Now Available
Are you a Gold Star spouse looking to return to work, enter the workforce, or start a business? Apply now to receive two independent consultations with a resume professional to address your needs and objectives, then update, revise, or create your resume. This opportunity is limited to funding and the availability of resume professional.
To Register, please send the following Required Documents to Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org (if not already on file):
Attach a copy of the DD1300 or other proof that you are receiving benefits due to your spouse’s death from military service (PDF Files or legible photos are acceptable). You cannot move forward in this process without submitting your DD 1300 as well as signing the waiver.
Scholarship Recipient Heads to College
We are so grateful to our scholarship sponsor, RF-LAMBDA. However, to truly understand the impact of their support and what it means to a Gold Star student, please read this note from Faith Ann Brookshire. Faith was selected as this year's scholarship and internship recipient. We know she has an amazing future ahead of her and we all look forward to supporting Faith in all of her future endeavors.
“Hello everyone! My name is Faith Ann Brookshire and I am the recipient of the 2020 RF-Lambda Memorial Scholarship, provided by the Sugar Bear Foundation. I’m heading off to college in about a week, but before I go I wanted to take a little time to thank everyone at the Sugar Bear Foundation and RF-Lambda for everything they’ve done for me.
I moved to San Diego a little over a year and a half ago from a small town in Oregon called Klamath Falls. It was the first time my family had relocated in eleven years- that time being right after we lost my dad. Needless to say, it wasn’t an easy transition. I had to go from a school of less than one hundred to a school of around two thousand right in the middle of my junior year. I struggled to learn the area, to make new friends, and to adapt to my new life. Above all, I felt like I didn’t belong. Then, my mom discovered the Sugar Bear Foundation while searching for something for me to do over the summer, and I applied to their internship at RF-Lambda.
Fast forwarding to today, things are quite different. I settled in to my new school and had an amazing time with most of my senior year. I got my first job and got accepted into my top college. I felt like I belonged in this city, and so much of it was thanks to the people at the Sugar Bear Foundation and RF-Lambda. The first internship I applied for introduced me to everyone and built up my confidence before heading into senior year. I did well enough there that RF-Lambda later hired me as a part-time employee, which was an absolutely amazing first experience in the workplace. Finally, the Sugar Bear Foundation provided me with helpful advice for my college applications and awarded me the memorial scholarship.
It’s hard to understate how much this has all meant to me- especially during a time like this. Losing the last part of my senior year and not being able to see my friends during the summer was incredibly hard for me. Throughout a lot of it, I wanted to just give up. The one thing that kept me going was my job at RF-Lambda and all the support I received from the people there and the Sugar Bear Foundation. Thanks to them, I had a pretty great summer, and am ready to start the next adventure in my life.
I hope that if there are any gold star kids, spouses, or parents reading this that it would encourage you to come join the family that the Sugar Bear Foundation has made. Trust me when I say that you won’t regret it.
And finally to everyone at RF-Lambda, the Foundation, and all of their supporters: Thank you! I love you guys and good luck on whatever your next adventures may be.
Sincerely,
Faith Ann Brookshire
Daughter of Major Sid William Brookshire, US Army
September 11th, 1970 - June 20th, 2007, KIA Operation Iraqi Freedom
"Life After Loss - Career Transitions" - October 4th, 11th and 18th
Co-hosts, Sugar Bear Foundation and the MCRD Museum Foundation: Family Forever Program, are pleased to offer their next series with Sarah Davis of ReCreate. Once again we will be focusing on transitional topics for Gold Star spouses who are thinking of reentering the workforce. The series will start Sunday, October 4th.
To Register, please send the following documents to Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org:
DD 1300
DoD Starbase - STEM Programs
We have a wonderful new opportunity from our friends at DoD Starbase. This amazing STEM program is located at bases throughout the country. More information can be found on their website at https://dodstarbase.org. These are in-person classes and are free of charge. If you would like more information or are interested in a program at Camp Pendleton, please contact admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org as we are working with them to get Gold Star children signed-up for the program.
August 2020 Newsletter…
New Coaching Scholarship Recipient - Margie Grube
Congratulations to Gold Star spouse, Margie Grube! Margie was selected as a coaching scholarship recipient to work with Sarah Davis of ReCreate These scholarships are a new and necessary program we are providing to those who have lost their service member and are looking to create a new life after loss.
Margie recently shared this with Sugar Bear Foundation…
“Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to have a scholarship with Sarah Davis. My husband, Navy SEAL, Devon Grube, died 12/28/16. At the time of his death my three children were 1 yr old, 3 yrs old, and 6 years old. My whole world and future crumbled before me. 3.5 years have passed, and I am working on knowing and growing this new woman and mom I have become. I am thankful for this opportunity to help me with the transition from a life and future that me and my husband had planned out, to a new journey with me and my kids alone. My goals are to build a path and future to be successful, fulfilled and empowered as I learn to navigate this new life before me.”
Our Coaching Scholarship has also helped Krista Simpson Anderson, our previous recipient who conveyed her reason for applying for the scholarship…
“I needed direction and clarity about how to move forward professionally. I wanted to make a change professionally and wasn’t sure why, how, or what direction to take. What I would be good at and what would create more joy than stress.”
If you are a Gold Star Spouse who needs similar help and would like to apply for a Coaching Scholarship, please visit our Coaching Scholarship for Gold Star Spouses article for more information.
Applying to College During COVID-19 - Virtual Workshop
Navigating the college experience can be daunting during the best of situations. The onset of COVID-19 has only added to concerns and questions for both students and parents. Join us for this virtual workshop, as Juliet Hawk of Hawk Educational Solutions provides insight, guidance, and reassurance during these challenging times. Topics include SAT vs ACT; Writing a resume for college applications; Common APP and the application process; Private vs. Public Universities; The importance of volunteering; Internships and much more.
The workshop is open to Gold Star spouses (active duty death) and their children getting ready to apply for college. Please send Required Documents to Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org to .
To receive the link to the presentation and workshop packet, please send the following Required Documents to Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org (if not already on file):
Attach a copy of the DD1300 or other proof that you are receiving benefits due to your spouse’s death from military service (PDF Files or legible photos are acceptable)
Waiver & Release (Must be signed by Parent or Guardian if child is a minor)
Thank You for Supporting Our Sugar Bear Virtual Memorial Run
Thank you to everyone who participated, shared, and supported this event. You enabled us to celebrate Sugar Bear’s life in a way that will directly impact Marines, Gold Star spouses, and children. We are about to launch the first phase of a new financial assistance program that will support Gold Star spouses who find themselves dealing with emergency needs. Funds raised from the Sugar Bear Memorial Run have been allocated towards this initiative and would not have been possible without your participation.
As I ran Wednesday, I reflected on my marriage to Mario, his role as the father to our children, his service to our country, and how his legacy lives on. I know this program would mean a great deal to him as he cared so much for the men and women he served alongside as well as their families. Included in this note is a link that not only pays tribute to Sugar Bear and Weasel but the Marines that rushed to their sides on that fateful day back in 2010. Before Mario left for Afghanistan, he told me if he did not make it back the Marines would take care of us. This video is proof of his words. As always if you would like to assist us in growing our mission, I invite you to reach out to our Admin@thesugarbearfoundaiton.org with your idea or suggestion.
Thank you,
Jennifer Carazo
Gold Star wife and Chairman
