Holiday

Thank You to All of the Contest Entries!

We would like to thank all of the participants in our contest for the Detroit Tigers tickets! Hopefully your Father's Day was a great one! Congratulations to Courtney Cook whose story was randomly selected to win the contest!

Below are our favorite contest entries:

#1.  Courtney Cook

  • My dad has been there for me through everything. My senior year was hard on me because one of my best friends passed away and he was my rock behind it all. I found out at a Friday night football game and he was the one who hugged me while I had tears in my eyes in front of everyone.

#2. Ben Berry 

  • For the past 30 years, my dad and I have golfed every summer. Not all the time, not even every month, but it happens whenever we get together. It's a time when nothing else is discussed, any feuds set aside, and the only thing that matters is he and I and the golf. It's a renewal of our relationship.

#3. Barbara Kracht

  • My father died in March 1988. He was a very hard working man who would do anything for his children. My love for the Tigers comes from him. We would listen together. I remember a picnic and he had brought a radio so we could listen to the game. I must have been about 10 or 11. The Tigers scored 3 home runs back to back. His enthusiasm was contagious. My dad taught me so much, but his love of the Tigers and Lions live on in me. By the way that game would have been the late 50s or early sixties.

#4. Tiffiny Shipp

  • My father, Rogers Shipp Jr was a wonderful Dad. He served in the US Army and taught me about honor and integrity. He always showed strength and self control. I always honor him by holding these values close to my heart. RIP Dad I love and miss you so much.

#5. Branden Taylor

  • Growing up in the Detroit area in the 70's, my dad took me to my first Tiger game at Tiger Stadium. Prior to this, I had no interest in baseball, I knew nothing about the game. My Dad talked me through everything that was going on. I took an instant liking to Alan Trammell, and he remains my favorite player of all time. We left our seats and went behind home plate where my dad proceeded to tell me what each pitch was. I was hooked for life! That was almost 40 years ago and my love for baseball has only grown! I am forever grateful to my dad for introducing me to such a beautiful game that has become such a large part of my life!

#6. Jamie Rock

  • My Daddy played ball in the Army, he had a .410 batting average. He tried out for the Milwaukee Braves..but with 2 children and a wife, he took another job offer with AC Champion spark plug..ball players back then earned very little.

Celebrating Flag Day!

Here at the Life Chest, we are excited to celebrate Flag Day on June 14th ! It is important that we honor the most important symbol of our country, one that represents us as a nation and as people. People across the United States celebrate Flag Day on June 14th each year to honor the United States flag and to commemorate the flag’s adoption. On the same day, the United States Army celebrates its birthday.

Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with a new design. That design was the original American Flag. Today the flag has evolved, with it including 50 stars for each state of the United States of America, and 13 stripes that represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The American flag, also nicknamed as “Old Glory” or “star-spangled banner”, has changed designs over the centuries. The white included in the American flag symbolizes purity and innocence, the red is for valor and hardiness, and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Here are 5 Fun Facts About the American Flag!
1. There have been 27 official versions of the American flag, each with a different amount of stars

 2. When Alaska and Hawaii become states 49 and 50, President Eisenhower received thousands of ideas for an updated flag. Robert G. Heft, a 17-year old high school student from Ohio, submitted his version that he created for a class project, and it was accepted and remains in use today. Can you believe that Robert got a B- on his project?

 3. Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June of 1776, Washington approached her to make the first American flag, and the rest is, well, history.

 4. Of the six American flags that are planted on the moon, five of them are still standing. Which one is not? The first one, planted by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission.

 5. According to the U.S. Flag Code website, when the American flag is flown at night it must be illuminated; it should never be flown in bad weather; it can only be flown upside down to signal distress; it must be raised quickly and lowered slowly; and no other flag can be placed above it. The flag should be flown during school days in or near every school building. It’s a myth that the flag must be burned if it touches the ground. The flag must be burned if it’s damaged and is no longer suitable for flying.

Armed Forces Day

A History:

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department — the Department of Defense.

According to a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952: “This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces … to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won’t be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty.”

When is it Celebrated?

Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May. Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in May.



Have You Heard of The All Veteran Group?

“AVG is comprised of dedicated individuals of both; active and retired military. In addition to supporting our clients and sponsors, our team provides Therapy in the Air in support of Combat Injured Troops,” – Mike Elliot. Mike is the Founder of AVG and has created a Team of incredible Veterans who have focused on representing companies and military veterans with the highest level of professionalism through parachute demonstrations, tandem parachute experiences, brand ambassador programs, sponsorships & special events.

AVG’s Therapy in the Air Program

22 veterans a day commit suicide, which means we lose a hero every 65 minutes. That statistic is something that the All Veteran Group is working to turn around through their Therapy in the Air program.

Therapy in the Air is “…[a skydiving program that] helps warriors thrive through post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG refers to positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. Skydiving has an unparalleled sense of freedom mingled with excitement unlike that of any other sport. Therapy in the Air inspires individuals during rehabilitation, reintegration and during the healing process. They assist with helping individuals realize that they have the power to tell new stories that will help them overcome adversity and move forward. Through telling new stories, warriors are able to rebuild a sense of self—to reconstruct an understanding of who they are, their place in the world and what their expectations of the world are.”

Through creating our Crowdrise campaign and partnering with the All Veteran Group, our goal at The Life Chest is to complement the Therapy in the Air program with the donation of one hundred Freedom Life Chests. A Life Chest would serve as a physical manifestation of everything a veteran has accomplished in their life. With a Life Chest, they can store or display their awards, accolades, and other memorabilia collected while defending their country.

Thank you to our Armed Forces for your service to our Country, The United States of America and its wonderful people, we salute you!

and in the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953

“Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he–the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine– who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail.”

Please consider donating to our CrowdRise Campaign

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

 

Giving Thanks: Agata Wysokinski

Joining the Life Chest team in feeling grateful this year. One fond memory from this year was meeting Glenda MacPhail at Friesens.

I travelled to Altona Manitoba this year with Life Chest CEO Donna Yost to help her with the design of her new book, Pumptitude: My Journey from CEO Wife to CEO Life. We were also working on the final layout of her husband CEO Kim Yost’s 4th Book, The Life Chest.

Customer Service Representative Glenda MacPhail was waiting for us when we arrived in Winnipeg, her warm smile and positive nature was the first thing to hook me in, its funny how some people just make you instantly feel comfortable.

It happened to be Glenda’s birthday so the three of us went for a beautiful dinner at the the 529 Wellington, we chatted as if we were old friends and I learned that Glenda was a mother of two who absolutely adored her family. We laughed all night and later Glenda drove us to where we would be staying for the next few nights in Altona.

Working with Glenda over the next few days was a blast, the print world has always fascinated me and what I learned from her and the team at Friesens was both valuable and impressive. Leaving Friesens and Winnipeg I knew that I would remain in contact with Glenda, she has been invaluable to The Life Chest team and is an absolute pleasure. This year I am thankful for Glenda and for the opportunity to travel to Friesens with The Life Chest. It was truly a #LIFECHESTMOMENT

I can’t finish this post without acknowledging my favourite sidekick Henry.

Here is a photo of him playing a hybrid of a few sports.

Giving Thanks: Julie Donegan

On Thanksgiving I am Thankful for:

My Dog

Mashed Potatoes

Mike Elliott
Mike is truly a Life Chest Lifer! We are so grateful to have gotten to work with him. And what he does through the All Veteran Group is so inspiring and admirable we are honored to be connected with him. We wish Mike a happy, happy Turkey day!

Mark “Ranger” Jones
We met Ranger back in May and have been learning so much since! Not only does he have an impressive personal story of achievement but he does incredible work with the Fisher Foundation. Another Life Chest Lifer we are so grateful for! Happy Thanksgiving Ranger!

Giving Thanks : CEO Donna Yost

The day had started out just like all others at The Life Chest! People bustling around doing what we all do best, digging deep to create special moments not only for those that work at The Life Chest but for those Life Chest Lifers we are so focused on creating. You see, we all have stories, and these stories need to be shared. In sharing these stories we bring people together, in bringing people together we bring joy, healing and camaraderie; moments that may not have been shared otherwise.

It’s Thanksgiving, and what Thanksgiving means to me is simple. I thank God for giving me the presence of mind to be aware of those around me. I am thankful for the experiences in life that allowed me to be a good listener. I am proud of and thankful for my husband Kim and the vision of The Life Chest he shared with me long ago and his willingness to share that vision with others. I am thankful for The Life Chest Team and their undying and ever present love they share in our mission.

Most of all I am thankful to the Life Chest Lifers like Mike Elliott and the AVG TEAM for bringing us to Louise Cantrell this year. One day I eagerly answered the phone hoping to connect yet again with someone needing a Life Chest, and there she was, this beautiful soft voice on the other line. After a brief introduction Louise began to share her story with me and I was touched by it, I am thankful for her share and am inspired by her perseverance and goodwill.

Please read Louise’s story and learn about the Dancing Angels Foundation, created to honor and perpetuate the memory of Isabella & Natalia Cantrell who were tragically killed in a house fire.

http://www.dancingangelsfoundation.org

I hope that reading and learning about Louise and her family, seeing her photos and sharing a prayer this Thanksgiving will enable you to see why we so passionately do what we do every day. I LOVE The Life Chest Mission and for that I am THANKFUL every single day.