who we help

Overwatch Alliance pledges our grant support to organizations with programs and services focused on making a significant and lasting impact on the lives of our military community, veterans and their families and loved ones.

The organizations we partner with:

Provide care and services for our disabled veterans, their families and caregivers.
Furnish educational, recreational and therapeutic programs for the military and military family members.
Fund repairs on transitional housing for veterans recovering from addictions.
Sponsor employment seminars and support programs for unemployed veterans and military spouses.

These are just a few of the projects we support through grants to deserving recipients. Together, these organizations and Overwatch Alliance are working steadfastly to heal our nation’s heroes and their families.

Fishing with Warriors - Westborough, MA

Dedicated to the more than 21 million veterans of the United States armed forces, Fishing with Warriors is a non-profit, volunteer run organization, that helps the brave men and women of all branches of the armed forces experience the joy, passion and spirit of high level sporting events and activities at no cost them. Founded and led by former service members, Fishing with Warriors connects these worthy warriors to world class sports. Whether it’s the once‐in‐a‐lifetime ﬁshing trip in the blue seas oﬀ of Costa Rica, the thrilling last day of the U.S. Open golf championships, or the championship playoﬀ games for the NHL, NFL, NBA or MLB, the goal of Fishing with Warriors is to create lasting, lifetime memories for those who have served our nation. Fishing with Warriors handles all costs of these veterans’ trips – transportation, lodging, meals and any entry fees – and 100% of donations go directly to these costs.

Canyon Heroes - Ligonier, PA

Canyon Heroes provides veterans with an opportunity to cope with their combat experiences while rafting in the spectacular Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Clinical professionals select and accompany participants to assist those impaired by issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) or service-related depression. Studies have shown that adaptive outdoor recreation, combined with professional counseling, can help veterans adjust, decompress and shed complex responses that are related to everyday events. The Canyon provides a natural setting uniquely suited to addressing memories that are triggered by fear and anxiety brought home from the war zone. Canyon Heroes sponsors up to 24 veterans and accompanying therapists on an annual rafting journey down the Colorado. The rafting experience is co-sponsored by Hatch River Expeditions, founded in 1934. This all-volunteer organization provides these rafting trips to veterans at no cost.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs - Loudon, Tennessee

This all-volunteer organization acquires, trains and places certified (ADI-tested and approved) service dogs with qualified veterans who have physical and psychological disabilities – at no charge to the veteran. Producing a certified service dog, using volunteer puppy raisers, puppy socializers and intermediate foster families, working under the supervision of professional trainers/consultants, requires about 1,200 hours of training. This includes 300 hours of final intensive training and customized training hours, that are conducted exclusively by professional trainers. There is a huge need for certified service dogs for our veterans, and the largest obstacle in placing service dogs with our wounded warriors is the cost. The average cost to select, raise, train and certify a service dog is around $20,000 to $25,000. With the exception of certain associated fees, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs provides service dogs to approved, disabled veterans at no charge. In order to continue providing dogs to America’s veterans, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs has an ongoing need for training sponsorships at $5,000 per dog. Overwatch Alliance is proud to assist them in that need.

Warrior Bonfire Program - Centennial, CO

The vision of the Warrior Bonfire Program began to form in the mind of founder, Dan Fordice, as he often looked for ways to serve and help his fellow veterans who suffered from injuries physically, mentally and emotionally. Dan served for a total of 13 years between the U.S. Army and the Mississippi National Guard and it is truly his passion to find resources and connections to relieve any possible obstacle. Dan found himself in a conversation with SFC (RET. USA) Charles Gregory Williams, who sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury when a Rocket Propelled Grenade struck and exploded a 50 Cal ammunition box two feet from his head and was later medically retired in November 2011 for wounds received while in combat. Greg commented that he could spend a full day with a PhD certified counselor and not come close to the therapeutic value of sitting around a bonfire with five or six guys who were there. Dan quickly responded, “We will provide the bonfire!”
On the eve of December 30, 2012, Dan, along with his brother, Hunter, organized a small event with family and friends on the bank of the Mississippi River, announced his plans, and performed an official American Flag Retirement ceremony. Among those were the first volunteers and donors and it was then that the Warrior Bonfire Program was ignited. Their signature multi-day retreat events incorporate recreational and group therapies. These events encompass activities designed to foster camaraderie, physical achievements, and an overall healthy mindset. The groups are comprised of six Purple Hearts, either active duty or non-active duty men and women service members. Events and members are nationwide, and activities include, but are not limited to, hunting, fishing, skiing, surfing, horseback riding, caving, whitewater rafting, and hiking. Each event includes our Bonfire American Flag Retirement Ceremony in honor of our fallen brothers and sisters.

Little Patriots Embraced - Kirkwood, MO

Little Patriots Embraced (LPE) is a St. Louis non-profit dedicated to serving active/reserve military families and deployed military worldwide, with a particular focus on the children. LPE provides emergency financial relief for families in crisis and they specialize in delivering ongoing emotional and psychological support to spouses and children who experience the stress of extended separation caused by military deployment. LPE has several programs to support its’ mission: the Deployment Package Program, which contains items to give emotional support to the spouse and children of deployed service members; the MD-TEC (Military Dependent - Tuition, Emergency and Childcare) Fund, which provides financial assistance, such as transportation for health care, child care and utility expenses, as well as housing, food, clothing and other necessary expense items for discharged veterans suffering from PTSD; and the Youth Development Program, with two components - Project Bear Essentials (to help parents and teachers relieve the stress of students) and Military Kids Fit for Life (which addresses childhood obesity and stress management..

“To date, dozens of young men and women from all branches of the Armed Forces have benefitted from Operation Mend. Overwatch Alliance’s generosity is of great help to our efforts to support these courageous heroes. Thank you for your very generous support of these efforts.”

– David A. Winters, Vice-President, Operation Mend