Faces of HOPE

I just wanted to share what I could and express my gratitude for everything [Hope For The Warriors] did for us. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed this once in a lifetime opportunity you guys gave to us. We felt safe because of the awesome NYPD work force who were very professional and organized during the event. Not once did we feel we were not being taken care of. I would also like to thank all the staff who helped organize the Hope For The Warriors New Year’s Event. Everyone was very friendly and we felt very welcomed. It made us feel like we were more with family than friends. I know I will be speaking nothing but praises for the Hope For The Warriors program and the NYPD work force. Thank you for everything you did for us and everything you will be doing for the rest of the warriors out there in the future.

About three years ago I asked Hope For The Warriors for new camera equipment as part of the A Warrior’s Wish program. At the time I had just been medically retired from the Army after 11 years of service and had to sell most of my equipment to pay bills and provide food for my family. After the Wish was fulfilled, it drastically changed and continues to have a huge impact on my life. Today, I am living out my dream of taking photos at sporting events.”

“Photography is an important part of my recovery from PTSD. When I was 10 years old I got my first camera, a film camera. When I took the 35 pictures to fill the roll of film, I was excited and could not wait for them to be developed to see what I had captured. Thanks to Hope For The Warriors I am able to continue my love of photography and I have recently returned back to college to finish my Bachelors degree in photojournalism. Whether it is a family photo of a mother, father, and son, or two sisters. A life time moment like a wedding or another special moment, photography captures these moments of time and they can pass from decade to decade. Photographs can say a thousands words but they can also freeze time.

I made it into the NYC marathon by lottery so my husband, Ed, also an avid distance runner, wanted to find a charity he could support in order to run in the marathon as well. After a few suggested charities he chose Hope For The Warriors because, in his own words, it was a charity close to his heart. Our son Cpt. Edward Guelfi was deployed to Afghanistan at the time and our son-in-law, Staff Sgt. Jim Broglie, was deployed to Kuwait. Our daughter, Sgt. Jillian Smith, is also active military and was deployed in April 2014. So, for us finding a charity that supports our military families felt like a perfect fit. From our first interaction with the Team in Manhattan, we were welcomed and embraced with support. After running the marathon we knew we found a charitable organization that we could support whole-heartedly. Both of us are extremely active and race as often as we can find the time. Now linking up with Hope For The Warriors and raising awareness and funds for this charity has given new meaning to all of our races.

I feel truly fortunate to have found such an amazing organization where I have a chance to continue serving those in need and to meet such amazing people who donate their time and resources to assisting those in need. So thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve my fellow veterans and I look forward to doing so in the future.

I was introduced to Hope For The Warriors in their earliest days. I had noticed the above and beyond attention they gave my family and me then. Now, years later, they still call and check on my family and me and they have never forgotten me.

Hope For The Warriors not only helped me find new ways to compete in sports but also included my wife in many events. Inviting service members and families out from the four walls of their home or away from the multiple medical appointments everyday brings HOPE to the new life that we have in front of us.

One of the greatest gifts one can receive is the gift of Hope. Through the most difficult time in my life, it was hard to find Hope. Hope For The Warriors® gave me that gift. They continue to stand by my side through my journey and at my weakest points they remind me what Hope is all about. Because of Hope For The Warriors, I now give Hope to others.

The art therapy session at the Caregiver Workshop encouraged me to focus on being good enough, not perfect, for my kids, my husband—and myself. That’s a huge stress reliever! Going to all three workshops helped me reinforce the habit of taking care of myself and sharing what I’ve learned with other caregivers.

My experience with the Big Apple Run throughout the years has been very touching and life changing. I had the pleasure to run with active military and wounded service members. Hope for the Warriors also had a ceremony to honor numerous service members for their service and sacrifices to their country, and has shown over and over again its selflessness to all military members and their families. They have always gone above and beyond the call of duty, and I would like to personally thank Hope for the Warriors for having me on your dynamic team, and most importantly, being a part of your family.

That’s why Hope For The Warriors means so much to me and my husband. It not only made it possible for me to study art, it gave me a safe place to share my experience with others going through something similar. It even helped me understand what my husband and I need to care for ourselves and each other.