The importance of giving back

When we are hit with a tough economy – both as individuals and as business owners – we need to remember that charitable organizations feel that same financial squeeze, tenfold.
 
When I give to a charity, I want to know how far my hard earned dollar will go to further the mission of the organization. Some call that being a good steward of your money – others call it common sense.

An organization that is very near to my heart is Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). TAPS is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 35,000 surviving family members of our fallen military since 1994. As their newly elected chairman, I have the privilege of working alongside Bonnie Carroll, the Founder and President of TAPS.
 
Did you know that in the last 12 months, nearly 5,000 people grieving the death of a military service member have reached out to TAPS for help and support. It is astounding. With a continuing conflict abroad and a tragic rise in military suicide – the desperate need for support services offered by TAPS is growing at an alarming rate.
 
I am proud that TAPS operates with extremely low overhead. They are able to leverage a network of over 50,000 volunteers nationwide to assist in their grief and support programming year round. This peer-to-peer support is unbelievably beneficial to surviving family members.   
 
We owe it to the families of our fallen heroes to provide them with the care they need, through good and bad economic times, during the holiday season and year round.
 
Wood currently serves as chairman of the Board of the Directors for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, (TAPS) and is the CEO and chairman of Telos Corporation.

 

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