The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back to School Bash raises funds for vets, their families
Woodstock community helps highly trained bomb technicians.
The entire Woodstock community gathered at Eagle Watch Main Park for a Back to School Bash that included food trucks, games, rock climbing and even a movie night. The family fun event also benefited the EOD Warrior Foundation.
EOD stands for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the disarming and disposal of bombs. EOD technicians are highly trained military members serving in the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force who are responsible for disarming, rendering safe and disposing of bombs — making it one of the most dangerous occupations in the military.
Through the event, “it was important to raise awareness about the work that these EOD warriors do, and the sacrifices that they and their families have made and continue to make,” said Nicole Mostek, executive director of the EOD Warrior Foundation.”
Proceeds raised from this fundraising event will support the mission of the EOD Warrior Foundation to improve the quality of life for the EOD family by providing financial relief, scholarship opportunities, physical, social and emotional support .
The foundation offers four pillars of support in financial relief, education, hope and wellness and EOD Memorial Care. The immediate and ongoing assistance and resources provided by the foundation to those in the EOD community are intended to provide support above and beyond the budgetary constraints of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.
The support includes financial assistance and additional services such as morale events, peer-topeer support, educational programs, connections to resources and sustained contact with our EOD warriors and their families.
Hosting a fundraising event provides the opportunity to raise funds and awareness about the service and needs of wounded EOD warriors and the families of wounded and fallen EOD warriors in local communities.
In 2016, the foundation spent over $600,000 in support to EOD families in need. Its scholarship program has grown from $90,000 in 2013 and provided over $200,000 to 109 students last year. In 2016, the organization enabled 144 wounded EOD warriors, their loved ones and the families of fallen EOD warriors to attend therapeutic healing retreats at no expense.
“I hope that both kids and adults left the event with a new perspective on the sacrifices that our military men and women, and their families make every day as well as a new appreciation for why it is so important to support EOD warriors living in their own communities and around the world,” added Mostek.
In other news
Babalu Tapas & Tacos’ grand opening on June 26 raised funds to benefit The Atlanta Children’s Shelter and The Shepherd Center. The grand opening raised $5,213.48 for the Atlanta Children’s Shelter and $5,213.48 for the Shepherd Center, totaling $10,428.96 in funds raised.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank received a $50,000 grant from the Morgan Stanley Foundation to fund its School Pantry Program, a child hunger initiative that helps to make sure low-income families have a readily accessible source of healthy and nutritious food to prepare at home. Employees from local branches presented the check and volunteered at the Food Bank as part of Morgan Stanley’s “Feeding Kids Around the Clock” initiative, a full day of activities across the globe to help the fight against childhood hunger.