2015
Annual Report
www.independencefund.org
The Independence Fund was founded in 2007 to provide
tools, therapies, and resources to America’s combat
wounded veterans. Our mission quickly expanded to serve all
disabled veterans with service connected disabilities, not only
from the Global War on Terror, but all injuries that stemmed
from military service.
Best known for our “Track Chair” initiative to provide all terrain
wheelchairs to the 5 living quadruple amputees from the
conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, our program expanded as
the wounded came home.
On a visit to Walter Reed Army Hospital, Bill O’Reilly learned of
the VA’s stance that such chairs were “luxury items” and he
helped us launch a campaign that to date has provided over
1400 all terrain wheelchairs to those that have suffered a loss
of mobility in service to our country.
Thanks to Mr. O’Reilly, The Independence Fund has provided
over twenty million dollars in grants and services to our
nation’s severely wounded heroes.
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
888-851-7996
[email protected]
As we reflect on 2015 at The Independence Fund, it was truly a year of celebration and change,
a year of progress and reaffirmed commitment. Most of all, it was another year for all of us
associated with the Fund to be able to work together toward the goal of improving the lives of
our veterans.
This report represents not a conclusion but the beginning of a new day at The Independence
Fund. Staff and volunteers are working in unison to elevate our programs and services and to
ensure that our veterans, our donors and our advocates are informed regularly of the
life-changing activities administered by the Fund.
As Chair of the Board of Directors, I’m particularly proud of our newfound pledge to deliver
exemplary oversight, transparency, accountability and support to staff. I’d like to think I played
a small part in making this transition a reality, but I’m mostly humbled by the tremendous
dedication and expertise of my colleagues.
Most importantly, I want to thank you. The veteran. The donor. The advocate.
You inspire us. You make it possible to change lives. You are The Independence Fund.
Sincerely,
Richard H. Jadick
Richard H. Jadick, D.O.
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
888-851-7996
[email protected]
Pillars of Support
Our mobility program allows disabled veterans the chance to get back outside through a
variety of devices including all terrain wheelchairs as well as adaptive bicycles. Many
veterans that have been traumatically wounded are unable to enjoy the outdoors as they
once had. Our all terrain wheelchairs are no match for sand, snow, gravel, and water!
- Cost: $16,000 per device
Indy Fund’s Wellness program provides veterans suffering from TBI and PTSD a month of
treatment to include hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other non pharmaceutical therapies.
With 22 American veterans taking their own lives each day, The Independence Fund is
deeply committed to the mental health of our nation’s veterans.
- Cost: $14,000 per veteran
Our caregiver program recognizes the hidden heroes that are caring for our nation’s
bravest. We provide short trips offering respite and relaxation. Military caregivers are often
providing 24/7 care for veterans that have survived life altering battle wounds that
decades earlier would have killed them. We recognize the heroes behind the heroes by
allowing them peer to peer access, pampering services, and a judgement free zone to
discuss the stressful role of caregiving.
- Cost: $1,500 per caregiver
The Independence Fund’s mission is to support our injured and
wounded Veterans with the tools to achieve their independence
and freedoms they have fought so hard to preserve!
For more information, or to donate please visit our website: www.independencefund.org
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
888-851-7996
[email protected]
Dear Friends:
The past year was an important year of growth, change and
achievement for the Independence Fund. Thanks in large part to
the incredible support we receive from our donors and stakeholders
across the nation, the Fund continues to reach more veterans and
caregivers and change more lives. Due to the enormous outpouring
of generosity from the American people, and the work of our staff
and volunteers, we have been able to expand and improve our
capabilities in several areas so that we can better achieve our mission.
In 2015 we produced the most successful Lt. Dan Weekend ever. We enabled 220 Veterans and
their families to attend and raised over $300,000. We had 300 people participate in our annual
Independence Ride. We also had 35 vendors and technology providers join us for the EXPO and had
over 3500 people in attendance. We also generated unprecedented media coverage and public
awareness about the Fund and the weekend.
In the past year, The Independence Fund became a leading national voice to address lack of
access to needed care and the unacceptable epidemic of veteran suicides. We continue to work
directly with senior Members of Congress in both parties and the Administration to promote
greater veteran access to critically important therapies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
We were able to secure language in the bill that funds the Veterans Administration (VA) that
highlights the importance of HBOT. The legislative language pushes the VA Secretary to make this
important treatment, not currently approved for treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), widely available to veterans who need it.
In 2015, we successfully partnered with a number of national organizations to promote and expand
our three missions: to increase veteran independence and mobility, provide access to needed
treatments, and increase support to caregivers. In early 2016, we will be launching a several new
partnerships with a number of nationally prominent companies and organizations. In addition to
bringing in significant new financial resources to the Fund, these partnerships will raise national
awareness about the Fund and its priorities and significantly enrich and expand our donor base
across the country.
This year we have added Dr. William Dutton – a decorated surgeon and medical officer with the
U.S. Navy and Marines – to our Board of Directors and anticipate announcing additional new Board
members in the coming weeks. We are also implementing a new administrative structure that
engages both staff and volunteers and ensures an enhanced level of service and responsiveness to
our veterans and donors. This effort will continue into to 2016, and we look forward to making a
number of exciting announcements regarding new team members and capabilities soon.
We deeply appreciate your continued support and for all you have done to make 2015 a successful
year for the Independence Fund and look forward to serving and collaborating with you in 2016!
Sincerely,
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
888-851-7996
[email protected]
Dear Patriots,
With your steadfast support, The Independence Fund has experienced spectacular growth this year.
From each end of the country, we’ve received generous contributions that have allowed us to serve
the fine mission of restoring hope and healing to those that have sacrificed so much to keep us free.
We cherish our repeat patrons, who year after year, donate an all terrain wheelchair in lieu of Christmas
presents, and those that had confidence in our new Wellness program and gave selflessly so that we
could help eradicate the invisible wounds of war. Without your incredible and continued generosity,
we would not be able to change the lives of so many of our nation’s wounded and their families.
As of early December, we’ve delivered 301 mobility devices thus far this calendar year, allowing our
wounded American heroes the chance to get back outside on terrain that after injury has been
impossible.
Our mobility device program has expanded to include a myriad of devices that are custom fit based on
each Veteran’s injuries, lifestyle, and family goals. By partnering with new companies, we’re shattering
the limits many veterans feel post catastrophic injury. We’ve seen fantastic results with Segs4Vets and
their Ally Chair, and experienced innovative technology from Resolute Adaptive via their SoftWheels.
Tried and true favorites, like Action Track Chair’s signature all terrain wheelchair and Zoomability’s Zoom
chair remain Veteran favorites, and we continue to report many Veterans with improved quality of life,
even years after device delivery.
Our Wellness program was a highlight of 2015, focusing on treating Traumatic Brain Injury and Post
Traumatic Stress. TBI and PTSD are the hallmark conditions from the Global War on Terror, leaving
Veterans with languishing night terrors, memory issues, substance abuse dependency and suicidal
ideation or attempts long after they exit the battlefield. Over 100 Veterans went through our
comprehensive Wellness program this year, focusing on treating the wounds that are not always visible
to the eye. Combining Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, along with Bio Neurofeedback, and ARP pain
management has these heroes with quick results in treating these conditions. With over 22 American
Veterans committing suicide each day, we are deeply committed to the mental health of our nation’s
war fighters.
Rounding out our Pillars of Support is our commitment to the Hidden Heroes taking up the battle on the
home front. The Independence Fund is strongly committed to ensuring Veteran and Military Caregivers
have access to respite and peer to peer support in judgement free zones. We were thrilled to host the
first ever national retreat for male caregivers in Charlotte, North Carolina earlier this year. Focusing on
the husbands, brothers, and fathers of disabled Veterans, we were able to connect and help reach a
small but mighty population. The Independence Fund looks forward to 2016 and planning national
retreats to reach those that have become isolated in the stressful role that is 24/7 military caregiving.
Our unending commitment to America’s Veterans and their families is only possible due to the
generosity of true patriots like you.
Best,
Team Indy
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
888-851-7996
[email protected]
Staff and Board of Directors Directory
Board of Directors
Richard Jadick, D.O Chairman of the Board
Erick Castro
William Dutton
Tommy Rieman
Staff:
Executive Director, Tommy Rieman
100: Veterans
went through
our Wellness
program to
help heal PTSD
& TBI
[email protected]
Case Director, Carrie Stead
[email protected]
Development Director, Sarah Verardo
[email protected]
Executive and Development Coordinator, Rebecca Andre
[email protected]
500,000
There are over
men and women caregiving
for those wounded in
Iraq and Afghanistan
The Independence
Fund has awarded
over 1400 all terrain
wheelchairs to
severely wounded
American heroes
22 American
Heroes
die by their
own hand
each day
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
16,000 cost to provide one
all terrain mobility device
888-851-7996
[email protected]
PO Box 680370
Charlotte, NC 28216
www.independencefund.org
PO Box 680370 Charlotte, NC 28216
888-851-7996
[email protected]