SoldierStrong (formerly SoldierSocks) is a Stamford, Connecticut based 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to improve the lives of the men and the women of the United States Armed Forces.
The mission has taken several key forms since SoldierStrong was founded in 2009. SoldierStrong has provided basic supplies to frontline troops, shipped holiday items to troops and veterans, and now provides revolutionary medical rehabilitation devices to injured and paralyzed veterans, along with virtual reality systems to treat post-traumatic stress and scholarships for veterans seeking to finish their education with a focus on continuing their public service in non-military careers.
Since SoldierStrong's inception, the organization has donated more than $3.5 million of medical devices to help injured veterans.
History
SoldierStrong got its start in Stamford, Connecticut in 2009. The organization was co-founded by philanthropist and businessman Chris Meek in response to a July 2009 letter from Sergeant Major Luke Converse. Converse requested help in obtaining socks and baby wipes for his Marines serving in Afghanistan who were having difficulty getting these types of supplies at forward operating locations.
Shortly after receipt of this letter, Meek formed a 501(c)(3) to help raise funds and gather basic supplies for the troops. In its first six weeks, SoldierStrong shipped over 1,500 pounds of supplies to Sgt Major Converse and his US Marine Corps unit fighting in Afghanistan.
By May 2018, SoldierStrong had shipped over 37 tons of personal hygienic supplies to US Armed Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, supplying over 75,000 pounds (or 37 tons) of supplies to 73 units fighting overseas.
SoldierStrong broadened its reach in the fall of 2010 to include a new initiative with a similar objective. The group created SoldierSanta in an effort to send gifts to the troops for them to open during the holiday season.
As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wound down, SoldierStrong expanded its mission to aid returning military servicemen and women with rehabilitation and prosthetic technologies through its program SoldierSuit, educational opportunities through SoldierScholar, financial aid for veterans receiving spinal care at independent physical rehab facilities through its SoldierRecovery program and providing virtual reality equipment to Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country to help veterans with post-traumatic stress through StrongMind.
Partnerships
Since its inception, SoldierStrong has partnered with a host of local organizations in its drive to supply troops with basic necessities. In addition to local businesses and organizations, elected officials and community leaders have also assisted in this initiative.
Connecticut's Hope Street Pharmacy was the first local organization who offered to partner with SoldierStrong. After Hope Street Pharmacy, SoldierStrong attracted numerous other partners from the local community including The New Balance store in New Canaan, CT, Reveal Hair Salon in Stamford, CT, the Stamford Public Elementary Schools, the Stamford Fire and Police Departments, and Vineyard Vines to name a few. SoldierStrong works with the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 and Air National Guard out of Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.
In November 2009, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show teamed up with SoldierStrong and pushed the organization onto the national scene via their network of syndicated radio stations in over 30 markets across the country. WWE and Elvis Duran and the Morning Show helped to collect more than 12,000 pairs of socks and 2,500 pounds of supplies. The Connecticut General Assembly partnered with SoldierSocks in December 2009 for a drive at the Connecticut State Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut. They were able to collect more than 500 pounds of tube socks. Former Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele along with US Senators Joe Lieberman and Scott Brown have lauded the program along with several other elected and business leaders. Corporate sponsors have included Sports Illustrated Magazine and Cablevision.
In July 2012, SoldierStrong expanded its efforts launching the new SoldierStrong Veterans Education Foundation to help those returning from the frontlines of battle.
United Rentals became a major corporate sponsor in 2014, and has remained so through at least 2017. Additionally, they were instrumental in starting the Turns for Troops program.
American Airlines has provided corporate support in the form of free airfare for certain SoldierStrong donation events.