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Sugar Bear Foundation Gold Star Registry

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The mission of the Sugar Bear Foundation is to support the surviving spouses and children of fallen United States military personnel by providing career, educational and financial programs to help meet their immediate and ongoing needs, fostering their personal, emotional, and social well-being.

Completing the Registry is the first step to taking part in our programs. Gold Star spouses/spouses with children who wish to participate in our free programs, resources and events must register below and provide the required documentation to ensure they are qualified. Each of our programs has a specific application. Contact our Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org to learn more. 

You will need the following documents before you register (PDF Files or legible photos are acceptable - Please Include Applicant Name on All Files):

  • A Copy of DD1300

  • Proof that you &/or each child (if they are applying for programs) is currently receiving benefits due to the death of the service member.

Complete These Required Steps:

If you need help filling out the application, please feel free to ask for assistance by emailing Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org.

Career Support for Surviving Spouses - Hiring Our Heroes

We have an excellent new opportunity for our Surviving Spouses to receive individual, direct, and ongoing career support for their employment needs. Even if you are only thinking of working, the team at Hiring Our Heroes truly understands especially for our very special community.

Spouses with any level of education are encouraged to reach out to our Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org to learn more and start talking with a Career Connector.

If you are interested, please complete the Registry (scan and return back to Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org) with either the DD1300 or a letter/document from the VA that shows you are receiving benefits. Please reach out with any questions as we are here to help.

Coaching Scholarship for Surviving Spouses

When a spouse loses a service member it is a period of immense trauma, stress, and uncertainty. We are working to assist them in another period of transition. As such, we are very happy to offer a scholarship to work with Sarah Davis, Susan Hannifin-MacNab and ©Great Days by Sarah to take part in their coaching services.

Sarah Davis is Gallup Certified focusing on strengths, resiliency, and utilizing our own unique talents when dealing with transition and post-loss life. Susan Hannifin-MacNab, a social worker, author, and educator focuses on providing our spouses with grief and trauma tools, and resources. ©Great Days by Sarah offers support focused on physical, mental, and emotional well-being including a solid fitness routine. All three are incredible professionals offering a great deal of support to our spouses.

To Apply, please complete the following Required Documents (if not already on file):

©Great Days by Sarah’s coaching provides a complete system that includes an easy meal plan/prep, physical activity, personal training, tips, and strategies. Her program focuses on busy moms who are doing it all and need a break! Let Sarah help you have more great days. 

College Scholarship - The RF-Lambda Memorial Scholarship

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The RF-Lambda Memorial Scholarship for the 23/24 school year is now closed. Please contact Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.com for the 24/25 school year.

We are excited to share our Memorial Scholarship in honor of our hero! To qualify you must be the son or daughter of a military service member who died while on active duty (the manner of death does not matter) and a senior in high school or attending college.

The loss of a parent can have a devastating impact on a family and we want to help surviving children create a path of success.   

Please direct any questions to Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org. 

To Apply, please send the following Required Documents to Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org (if not already on file):

  • Sugar Bear Foundation Gold Star Registry Application

  • Attach a copy of the DD1300 or other proof that you are receiving benefits due to your spouse’s or parent’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.

  • Memorial Scholarship Application

    NOTE: If Scholarship is awarded, funds will be paid directly to the institution for such items as tuition, housing, fees or academic tutoring needs that pertain to selected coursework.

Financial Assistance Program for Gold Star Families

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Our Financial Assistance Program is available for Gold Star/Surviving spouses (active duty death and service-connected). The intent of this program is to provide spouses with a last resort option to pay for a service or fee that they would not otherwise be able to make, where all other options have been exhausted. We view these grants as an emergency/crisis matter.

This is an area of great need so we have directed much of our fundraising goals towards this program. If you or your business would like more information about providing assistance or sponsoring this program, please contact Admin@theSugarbearfoundation.org.

To Apply, Please Complete All of the Following Steps:

  1. Complete the Sugar Bear Foundation Gold Star Registry Application and provide the required documents such as 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 completing All of the steps below.

  2. Complete the Financial Assistance Program Application - If you have children living with you please also list their monthly benefits on the application.

  3. Once Completed, our Financial Assistance/Resource Counselor will reach out to you for an intake Session and help you create a family budget.

  4. Once you’ve completed the Intake Session and family budget, The Counselor will present your Application to the Board for Review

Once you have completed the steps above and met with our Financial Assistance/Resource Counselor, your Application will be presented to the Board for review.

NOTE: Approval for Financial Assistance and disbursement of a check may take up to one month and is subject to availability of Program funds. There is no guarantee your application will be approved. We receive a lot of requests and are a small staff. Our Board approves applications after the intake process and they are comprised of volunteers.  If this is an emergency situation and funds are needed sooner, please feel free to Contact Us as we can refer you to other organizations for immediate assistance. Our method of payment for a bill is by check and payments are only made directly to providers and businesses. No funds are sent directly to spouses.

As always, we hope spouses will reach out to us with any questions. We are always happy to provide more details and clarification. 

Grief and Trauma Resource - A2Z Healing Toolbox Coaching

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We have a wonderful opportunity from our friend Susan Hannifin-MacNab MSW, PPSC Social Worker~Educator~Author. Susan is a widow and the creator of the A2ZToolbox. She is also part of our Surviving Spouses Network which we will be launching soon. 

If you are a Gold Star/Surviving Spouse and would like to take part in either Susan’s group or one-on-one sessions please complete our Gold Star Registry Application, our Waiver and the A2Z Healing Toolbox Application and send to: Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org for more information. 

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