SWVF Awards $2,500 Veteran Suicide Grant
to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy of Arizona

The Southwest Veterans Foundation awarded a $2,500 Veteran Suicide Prevention Grant to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) of Arizona during its recent Maggianos luncheon. Modern Woodmen of America Foundation provided the funds for this grant.

Lori Klauber of HBOT of Arizona said, “This grant will be used to treat a Marine Veteran who was previously approved for treatment at another facility, but it ran out of funding before the treatment could begin. This grant will provide critically needed treatment for this Veteran.

Pat McNeil, President of the SWVF Board of Directors thanked “…all those whose generosity made this grant possible. This brings our total Veteran Suicide Grants to $52,200, and we have an additional $22,000 reserved for additional grants.” These grants are critical to treating and saving Veterans since the Veterans Administration will not fund HBOT and most insurance companies do not cover it. If you would like to learn more about HBOT please visit https://www.hbotofaz.org.

The SWVF Veteran Suicide Prevention Program (VSPP) established an initial goal to raise $100,000 to fight this national epidemic. To date they have raised $73,998. If you would like to support SWVF’s Veteran Suicide Prevention Program, you can donate at https://swvcc.org/savealife/.

On behalf of the Veterans and their families who will benefit from your generosity we thank you.

We also want to thank our corporate sponsor of the VSPP—Devoted Health Plans.

Arizona Continues Unacceptable Veteran Suicide Rate

The Veterans Administration (VA) recently released its National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, While the VA’s words strain to cling to philosophical perceptions of the progress, that data speaks much louder and more clearly.  Veteran suicide rates continue at unacceptable levels! Sadly, this is especially true for Arizona.

The VA reports Arizona Veterans committed suicide at the rate of 48.2 per 100,000 Veterans. That gives Arizona the unwelcomed distinction of owning the 6^th highest Veteran Suicide Rate in the United States.  Only Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon have higher rates. In the previous year’s report, Arizona had the 12^th highest. Clearly, it is time for Arizona to acknowledge that our state has a problem that is worse than 88% of other states. By any objective measure we must admit two things:

• we are not doing enough to prevent Veteran suicides
• what we are doing is not working

It is important to note that the VA report is not timely data. It is reporting data and progress from 2020 to 2021. Consequently, we do not really know for sure what the numbers are today. The Department of Defense (DOD), however, recently reported its Annual Report on Suicide in the Military. The active duty suicide rate per 100,000 increased from 24.3 to 25.1—a 3.3% increase. Since today’s military are tomorrow’s Veterans, our challenges are certain to continue.

To be sure, Veteran suicide is a national problem and our Federal government and its agencies have an important role to play—especially the VA. Arizona, however, has to embrace the issue as its problem. State and local governments and agencies must accept the challenge to expand current programs and services, and to discover why many states have significantly lower rates. Private and non-profit organizations must join the battle or increase its commitment if they are already engaged. One specific initiative that can help is the VA and state support of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Currently, Veterans do not receive VA or insurance funding for this treatment that continues to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Finally, individuals—Veterans and non-Veterans alike—can join (or continue) to support the fight. You can help by donating to the Southwest Veterans Foundation’s Veterans Suicide Prevention Fund. To date we have raised $55,355 in tax-deductible donations. You can donate at https://swvcc.org/savealife/ , at any SWVCC event, by mailing a check to SWVF 3820 W. Happy Valley Rd., #141-455 Glendale, AZ 85310, or by calling 602.677.2961.

by
Tom Sheets

The original author of this quotation is most often identified as anonymous. It, or a variation of it, has been used by many including Ben Franklin. More recently, it has been widely used by Robert Johnson in a wide variety of motivational writings. Woody Allen even offered a variation of it saying “half of life is showing up.” What matters most is not who coined the phrase and when, but that you understand just how relevant it is today.

What does “showing up” mean today? It means being seen, being heard, and being engaged. Can you do this virtually on social media? Only partially. Showing up means just that…SHOWING UP…BEING THERE…BEING ENGAGED WITH OTHERS THAT WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND THOSE THAT YOU CAN HELP ACHIEVE THEIRS.

The more social media grows the more there is a desire to connect personally with others. This trend is guaranteed to increase exponentially as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to replace human beings in social interactions. Are you really texting and posting with a human being? Are you sure?

You can join a fitness club or center, but if you rarely “show up” you are not likely to achieve those health and fitness goals you had in mind when you joined. Similarly, you can join a Chamber of Commerce, but if you rarely “show up” you are not likely to achieve your business goals.

The Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC) is composed of Veterans and non-Veterans who show up to help others grow, knowing that in the process, they too will grow.

So…if you are a member of the SWVCC, we urge you to show up—at both our in-person and virtual events. If you are not currently a member, we urge you to sign up and show up.

Because…the world is run by those who show up.

Uniting Veterans and Businesses: The Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce

by Jacob Tuttle

Introduction:

In the vast desert landscape of Arizona, a remarkable organization stands tall, bringing together veterans and businesses to create a powerful network of support and growth. Welcome to the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce, where the spirit of camaraderie and the pursuit of excellence converge. In this blog post, we will delve into the invaluable benefits of joining a local chamber of commerce and explore how ours nurtures and uplifts the veteran community while providing unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.

A Veteran-Focused Community:

At the heart of the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce lies a deep commitment to supporting those who have selflessly served our nation. As a veteran-focused organization, this chamber provides an inclusive environment where veterans can connect with like-minded individuals who understand their unique experiences and challenges. It serves as a hub for veterans transitioning into civilian life, offering a supportive network that fosters personal and professional growth.

Business Support and Development:

For business owners, joining the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce opens up a world of possibilities. The chamber offers a wide array of resources and support to help veterans and their businesses thrive. Whether you are starting a new venture or seeking to expand an existing one, the chamber provides guidance, mentoring, and access to valuable business connections.

Networking Opportunities:

One of the greatest advantages of joining a chamber of commerce is the opportunity to network with fellow professionals, and the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce excels in this aspect. By becoming a member, you gain access to a diverse community of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers. Regular networking events create an ideal platform to exchange ideas, collaborate, and forge valuable partnerships. The connections made within this vibrant network can open doors to new business opportunities and pave the way for lasting success.

Advocacy and Outreach:

The Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce serves as a powerful advocate for the veteran community. It actively engages with local, state, and federal governments to shape policies that support veterans and their businesses. By joining this chamber, you become part of a unified voice that seeks to create an environment conducive to the growth and prosperity of veteran-owned enterprises.

Access to Education and Training:

Continuous learning is a vital component of personal and professional growth. The Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce recognizes this, and it offers various educational opportunities to its members. Ranging from simple educational moments at our meetings to full presentations from highlighted members, we always strive to offer education to our members.

Collaborative Community Events:

The chamber organizes numerous community events throughout the year, providing a platform for businesses, organizations, and non-profits to showcase their products and services. These events not only offer exposure to potential customers and clients but also foster a sense of community spirit. By actively participating in these events, you can increase your brand visibility, build meaningful connections, and contribute to the local community. Just this last month, we had a Non-Profit Member Highlight meeting at Maggiano’s!

Conclusion:

The Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce is an organization that offers a support system for veterans and businesses alike. By joining this dynamic community, you can tap into a network of like-minded individuals, access valuable resources, and unlock a world of opportunities. Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or a veteran seeking support, the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce is your compass to success.

Make the decision today to become part of this chamber and experience the power of collaboration, support, and growth. Together, we can build a thriving community that honors our veterans and propels businesses towards unparalleled success.

by
David Linhart

Looking back at 2020 so far, it amazes me how much has changed.  Life as usual was good…my business was growing at a pace I was happy with, we had everything falling into place.  Mid-March, we suddenly lost 70% of our expected revenue for April, May, June, July, and beyond.  There are 2 things that I absolutely think helped us get through the storm.  First, we were diverse in our offerings, and were able to form a back up plan.  Secondly, and much more importantly, we never gave up hope, we kept our eyes on “the prize”, and never accepted failure.

I know not all businesses can offer the diverse set of offerings we do, but I strongly believe that having multiple income streams is never a bad idea, in business or personal finances.  Our business at that time was 70% Pet sitting and grooming, and about 30% yard waste clean-up.  It was always the plan to build the yard waste clean up division of our company to hit a 50% income threshold, but we suddenly had to have a shift in our thought process.  By the end of March, we had restructured our marketing plan, and we started to focus solely on the one part of our business that was considered an essential service; the pet waste removal.

We immediately switched our advertising.  We were on Yelp only until that point, but knew it was a slow trickle of new customers coming from there…we needed an immediate flood.  We went to targeted print advertising that covered homes in the areas we wanted to reach, and we partnered with an amazing company that helps get us leads through Facebook.  I am happy to say this company was a game changer for my business.  Our volume of customers grew from about 60 properties cleaned at the time (in March) to a current number of 156 properties (and still growing at about 20 clients per month).  We have also regained the volume lost for pet sitting and grooming, and as a very happy consequence, I have hired 3 employees to help with the workload on the yard waste side of things.

I know this is not a “one size fits all” kind of scenario, but I think the underlying meaning is.  Hard work, innovation, and never quitting are lessons I have learned at every stage of life.  As kids in school or in sports, through military service, college, and even the journey through the workforce…these values are always what determines if you sink or swim.  I am happy to say that I am swimming like a shark!