Yellow Ribbon Fund - February 2008 Charity-of-the-Month
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Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc.
7200 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 310
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
tel: 1-240-223-1180
fax: 1-301-654-7674
email: email@YellowRibbonFund.org
web: yellowribbonfund.com
The Yellow Ribbon Fund was created in early 2005 to assist our injured service members and their families while they recuperate at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. Our mission began when the father of an injured Marine introduced two of our volunteers to staff at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval and they told us what needs were not met by other donors.
Every day, our wounded servicemen and women return from combat, many to long-term rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital. Beginning in late 2004, over 500 individuals and businesses in the Washington Metropolitan Area donated funds to help these service members and their families. In February, 2005, we created the Yellow Ribbon Fund specifically to welcome them into our community through Yellow Ribbon Fund volunteers--friends who care.
Welcoming Our Injured Service Members Home
Long-term rehabilitation at any hospital is not easy. Family and community support helps a patient tremendously in their recovery. Most injured service members at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital are away from their own communities, with only a few family members around and some with none. Many are amputees. These active duty service members' primary responsibility is to successfully accomplish their recovery mission. That mission still leaves many of them a substantial amount of free time.
Yellow Ribbon Fund volunteers arrange opportunities for the patient to enjoy our community, just as members of their local community would do if Walter Reed were there, instead of here. We take them to local sporting events, invite them to join us in hunting, fishing, and other sports. We take them and their families to a variety of other events in our community. When the Government does not cover the cost of a family visit, the Yellow Ribbon Fund arranges free hotel rooms and apartments. If a family is here for an extended period, the Yellow Ribbon Fund arranges taxis and rental cars so that they can enjoy our community.
In our Mentor/Intern Program, we offer these service members the following: (1) an opportunity to use their free time to learn job skills with a local company and to have meaningful interaction with the civilian business community (2) if appropriate, more formal training on the job, in a local business or at a technical institution (3) as required, transportation to and from the job or training site (4) mentors and friends who care.
Who We Help
Every day the Yellow Ribbon Fund hears of service members and their families who can use our assistance. We do our best by offering free car rentals, cab vouchers, hotel rooms, apartments, job mentoring and internship programs and free tickets to cultural and sporting events. It is the generosity of our friends and donors that makes this possible. We often hear from the families of how we have helped makes their lives easier in difficult and stressful circumstances.
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FAQ's
Why did you create Yellow Ribbon Fund?
Most injured service members at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital are away from their homes & communities, most with only a few family members around, and many with none. Our community has many generous individuals and businesses who want to give these fine young men and women the support they deserve.
Can anyone volunteer?
Yes, provided that they are accepted by Army Community Services. We will provide registration forms and ask volunteers to provide the Yellow Ribbon Fund with information that will enable us to find the right tasks for each volunteer.
Do you have a contract with the U.S. Government?
No. Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization providing volunteer services to injured service members and to their families. We do not have, nor do we seek, any contract with the U.S. Government.
Are your volunteers subject to any Government regulation?
Yes. All of our volunteers must register with and be accepted by Army Community Services at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc. has not-for-profit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and you will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your donation as deductible under applicable IRS regulations.
Do you have an IRS Form 990?
Yes. Please look at our IRS Form 990 for information on the 2006 tax year beginning March 1, 2006 and ending February 28, 2007.
How much of your cost is spent on assistance to injured service members?
Since its inception in February of 2005, the Yellow Ribbon Fund has spent over $1,350,000 on transportation, lodging, mentoring and other assistance to our injured service members and their families. In addition, we have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of donated apartments, hotel rooms, rental cars, airline tickets, tickets to cultural and sporting events, and fishing, hunting and other outings, along with the donated time of our many volunteers.
Over 85 percent of our expenses have been spent on our mission of "Welcoming Our Injured Service Members Home" and only 15 percent on general and administrative costs.
Do you employ professional fundraisers?
No. Our fundraising is done primarily by our directors and volunteers, assisted by the staff.
Contact Us
For more information about Yellow Ribbon Fund, or more information about how you can help, please contact us.
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Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc.
7200 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 310
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
tel: 1-240-223-1180
fax: 1-301-654-7674
email: email@YellowRibbonFund.org
web: yellowribbonfund.com
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