The Life Chest in the Macomb Daily

Remember our new Life Chest Lifer Claude Wood? Well, The Life Chest and Claude’s story had the privilege of being featured in local newspaper The Macomb Daily by Linda May!

Read the full article here!

“Freedom Military Life Chests –- repositories for treasured memorabilia –- were recently presented to 55 veterans from the Tri-County area. They received them the day before Veterans Day at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 9 building in Detroit.

The Life Chest company of Troy put on the program and donated the chests.

“Veterans were selected based upon their service both during and after their military time,” Mike Sand, of Fraser, said.

Macomb County vets who received chests included Al Opra, Laura Rios, Jerry Van de Vyver, Dave Trevino, Phil Gannia, Paul Palazzolo, Steven Mrozek, Tara Perez, Keith Edwards, Joe Rheker, Steven Gerebics, Robert Slavko and Therese Wrobel.

Sand received one, as did George Sheppard III.

On Veterans Day, Sheppard gave his chest to Claude Wood who is the Fraser-Reid Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6691 charter commander. Wood celebrated his 97th birthday on that day. Sheppard’s father was also a charter member of the post in 1946.

“George gifted his chest to a special friend and fellow veteran, Claude Wood. Claude is a 97-year-old World War II veteran and a 1946 charter member of the Fraser VFW Post 6691. George’s father, George Sheppard Jr., was also a charter member. Claude and George III have both dedicated their lives to supporting our military and veterans. At a surprise birthday recognition and celebration, George presented his special gift to Claude. A very emotional moment indeed,” Sand said.

The chests have pewter emblems representing each branch of the armed forces and the Great Seal of the United States.



“This is definitely a family heirloom to be passed from generation to generation, one of the finest holiday presents anyone could ask for. We cannot thank The Life Chest company enough for such a gift,” Sand said. “It was a very nice gesture on their part and I kind of look at the chest as a cross between a footlocker and a hope chest. I have put some very special things in mine such as the pen Governor Engler used to lend the State of Michigan’s support to the Michigan Vietnam Memorial Monument.

Sand’s chest contains a U.S. flag displayed by four Detroit mayors, an autographed book depicting Vietnam memorials in all 50 states, keepsakes from his parents, challenge coins, military patches, audio tapes, DVDs, and books related to Sand’s Vietnam War experiences.

“It’s sort of my personal time capsule,” he said.”

Thank you to Linda May for the great article!

Donna Yost, CEO of The Life Chest, honored at Hollywood’s 2015 ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

THE LIFE CHEST GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

Last night, our vivacious CEO Donna Yost was honored at the 2015 Entrepreneur Awards Gala in Hollywood!

Donna was a keynote speaker, chosen for her tireless work and community involvement through The Life Chest. Her book, “Pumptitude: My Journey from CEO Wife to CEO Life and How to Survive”, was even featured at the Gala, and given to attendees and VIPs.

A big thank you to the incredible Lousine Karibian of The World Networks for hosting us. We can’t wait for next year!

A Life Chest, the Gift That Keeps on Giving

One of the integral missions of The Life Chest is to positively impact the lives of all it touches. An important group that we serve is our nation’s military veterans. A Life Chest serves as a tangible representation of a lifetimes’ worth of memories, but holds special meaning for a veteran. Beyond preserving keepsakes and photos, it also helps to display awards and honors and to secure important paperwork like a DD-214. It allows you to look fondly on past accomplishments, remember to live consciously in the present moment, and to leave a lasting legacy for the future.

We were recently able to donate 55 Life Chests to members of the Chapter 9 VVA in downtown Detroit for Veteran’s Day, and have been receiving amazing photos and stories from the event ever since, such as this one. Thank you to all of our friends at the Chapter 9 VVA, and welcome to our new Life Chest Lifer Claude Wood!

“Vietnam veteran, George Sheppard III received a Freedom Life Chest as a gift for his service both then and now at the recognition event held by them at the Chapter 9 VVA Detroit on November 10, 2015.

George in turn gifted his Life Chest to a special friend and fellow veteran, Mr. Claude Wood. Claude is a 97 year old WWII veteran and a 1946 charter member of the Fraser VFW Post 6691. George’s father George Sheppard Jr. was also a charter member at that time. Claude and George III have both dedicated their lives to ​supporting our military and veterans.

At a surprise birthday recognition and celebration, George presented his special gift to Claude.”

HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR SEPERATION/DISCHARGE PAPER, DD-214

Here at The Life Chest, we are truly grateful and humbled by the incredible people that we are able to meet. From all ages and all walks of life, so many people identify with the mission of The Life Chest and its meaning, including our country’s veterans. From the Chapter 9 VVA in Detroit, the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, and the Veteran-Owned Business Roundtable and beyond, we have been so fortunate to meet truly amazing individuals who have served in our nation’s military. In honor of Veteran’s Day coming up, we wanted to take a moment to help our many veteran friends and their family members unravel something- the DD-214, and how to get it.

So what is a DD-214? It is an official form given to you by the United States Department of Defense upon retiring, separating, or discharge from the military. In short, a DD-214 is proof and verification of your military service. Think of it as your ‘one-stop shop’ of a document: it’s the most comprehensive paperwork any military service member has, even above medical records. Whether you’re applying for a home loan or other benefits through the VA, getting ready to retire, or even trying to replace your father’s long-lost medals, obtaining your DD-214 is essential, and will help you in a multitude of ways.

A guide to obtaining your DD-214 can be found below- special thanks to our friends at Veteran’s Radio for putting it together! You can find even more great resources at http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/public/awards-and-decorations.html .

Veterans may request replacements for their military honors and decorations following the below link: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/public/awards-and-decorations.html

If you’re requesting a family member’s medals be replaced, use the following link: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/public/awards-and-decorations.html#nok

We want to honor the sacrifice and bravery of our country’s veterans as well as protect and secure their legacy, whether it’s through a Life Chest itself, or extending a helping hand. This Veteran’s Day, we want to say to all of our military members past and present have done to protect our own legacies: from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

wo methods.

First Method:
* Write a request for your personal DD-214.  Give reason for replacement of DD-214, lost, stolen, etc..  Mail to: National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63138-1002.  Do not include your Service  or social security numbers with this first letter.

* If you are requesting a relatives, eg. Dad, Mom, Brother’s DD-214, state your relationship and reason you are personally requesting.  Do not send proof of death or your information.  Wait for their response back to you.

Second Method:
*Go to,  www.archives.gov and follow prompts.

Just a note.  Make copies of everything.  It may take a while for their response.  When I did it it was three months total from letter to receiving DD-214 in the mail.

While you are looking to obtain your DD-214 also ask for replicas of your earned service awards, eg. weapon Marksmenship, Good Conduct, etc.  All will be provided, to you, complimentary, from your Government.

Thank you for your service.

Bob Gould, Dale Throneberry, Producers
Veterans Radio

 

 

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THE LIFE CHEST with BeRemembered.com

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An All-Inclusive Legacy Product

Now offered with BeRemembered.com, The Life Chest is the first all-inclusive legacy product, providing a lasting, meaningful way to share both tangible and intangible memories.

Save your high school yearbook? Share your high school memories in My Biography and reference classmates and teachers in your yearbook. Serve in the military? Include your years of service in My Timeline and place your ribbons, medals and challenge coins inside your Life Chest. Planning a road trip? Add your destinations to My Bucket List and save your mementos in The Life Chest.

Amelia saves her heirlooms in her Life Chest and then shares its significance in My Favorite Things on BeRemembered.com

Mike Elliot records his memories and most valued possessions from everyday life, to his time serving in the military and for his work with the All Veteran Group, of which he is the founder.

Mike Elliott’s mission is one of hope and inspiration, “With AVG, we are changing directions and changing lives. We provide a blueprint to translate aspiration for change into action, and a new sense of freedom. Traditional values of teamwork, effort, accountability, trust and selflessness are the cornerstones of AVG’s Programs.”

With The Life Chest & BeRemembered.com you can take the tangible items you’ve preserved and link them to a digital place to both store and share with friends and family. Together your Legacy will live on through both your memories and most personal items.

 

For more information please visit our website:  www.thelifechest.com

Testimonial video: https://youtu.be/LtFO0CMLIvI

BeRemembered.com video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ee_z6LuUYw

Wigs 4 Kids Gala

Wigs 4 Kids Wellness Center and Salon is a non-profit organization that provides wigs and services at no charge to children and young adults experiencing hair loss due to cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns and several other disorders. Every wig provided is custom-fitted, age-appropriate, and individually cut and styled as requested by a child or teenager to help them feel comfortable and confident.

The staff and team of volunteers at the Wigs 4 Kids Wellness Center and Salon know hair loss can be devastating for young patients. Many of them may struggle with the emotional, social, and psychological side effects of their disorder.

Last weekend, our CEO Donna Yost and her husband, Kim donated an Aristocrat Life Chest at the Wigs 4 Kids Gala! The Wigs 4 Kids Gala is a gala that is organized by the CEO of the organization, Maggie Varney. Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO of Wigs 4 Kids has been in the beauty industry for over 40 years and has been a successful business owner and entrepreneur for over 25 years. As a Michigan certified technician of the national Look Good Feel Better Adult & Teen Programs for over 20 years, Maggie volunteers her time and talent to teach cancer patients how to deal with the appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The event was a very good time and supported an amazing charity with a great mission!

http://www.wigs4kids.org/

End Grain Wood Working Co.

We are so proud to be working with Endgrain Woodworking Co. on the Hometown Heroes Chest.

Chris Behm and Sam Constantine founded End Grain Woodworking Co in 2011. They started their company by working out of a two-car garage in their spare time. In 2012, they participated in the Detroit ReNailed Reclaimed Materials Building Competition. This competition was their first public event and they had a great response. They won the competition and invested the prize money into their business and they quickly started to see their company grow.

Chris Behm and Sam Constantine are prime examples of individuals that truly love what they do. There are many challenges they face with creating their products however, the challenges do not prevent them from dong what they love.

The wood that is used to make their products is native, and from Detroit. They use the wood that Detroit has to offer because it “adds a story to every piece that we have to offer”.

End Grain Woodworking Co offers an array of products. From Frames and mirrors, to coat hooks and flower vases. The skilled craftsmanship that has been put into each product. Visit their website to learn more! http://endgraindetroit.wix.com/tegwc

Book Review: Shark Tales

Reading is great especially when you’re lounging and tanning outside now that it is summer! A great book that we have all read here at The Life Chest, is the novel “Shark Tales” by Barbra Corcoran. Barbara Corcoran’s inspirational novel “Shark Tales” tells the story about how she got to be such a successful businesswoman with very little experience and knowledge about business and the real estate market.

In the novel she humorously tells her readers about how she got straight D’s on her report cards all throughout high school and how she was randomly introduced to the world of real estate with no experience. Barbara explains and justifies each of her business decisions with relating them to the life lessons her mother taught her during her upbringing.The novel is filled with advice and stories of business that Corcoran has picked up along the way of her real estate business. The book is a great book filled with humor and wit that illustrate creative and brilliant ways to guide you through whatever your career is!