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THE DELEGATE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 6 Shelter to Soldier is a dedicated non-profit that is "saving lives, two at a time." The charity adopts dogs from local shelters that often face uncertain futures and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or other psychological injuries associated with traumatic service experiences. PTSD and associated psychological injuries and traumas continue to be a daily battle for our nations veterans. Every day, 22 U.S. veterans and one active duty service member are lost to suicide — an average of one life every 63 minutes. Shelter to Solider seeks to fight these heart-wrenching statistics through changing two lives. Many great dogs in shelters across the country are overlooked and euthanized for behavioral issues. The charities team of professional dog trainers work to modify unwanted behaviors in the dogs, then train them for the elite level of service work needed in their new role. As rehabilitated dogs settle into their critical role of psychological support to his/her new veteran handler, two lives gain more meaning and a cycle of support begins. ✪ SHELTER TO SOLDIER: Saving Lives, Two at a Time C O U N T R Y ★ C O M M U N I T Y ★ U N I O N The NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF), and our Salute to Community Service is the focus of the convention on Thursday, Sept. 1. NCF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with a mission to assist charitable, educational, scientif ic, and other activities that benefit the common welfare. NCF is a 100 percent volunteer organization, and the official charity of NATCA. The charity's philanthropic efforts and programs stretch across the country with a volunteer network dedicated to making a difference in as many lives as possible. A hallmark of NCF is its low operating expense, largely due to its volunteers of all ages and professions. NCF's operating expense ratio has remained below five percent since 1998. From 2011 to 2015, NCF has more than doubled the amount of money allocated to those in need from $91,000 to $200,000. NCF even reached over $1 million raised in 2012 with its 20th anniversary fundraisers. The foundation seeks to assist areas of need that go unfunded or may be missed through typical donor drives. This week's event continues an NCF tradition of helping local charities in the host convention areas. In 2012 at NATCA's 14th Biennial Convention in Denver, NCF hosted a "Show Your Roots" campaign, during which local facilities and members sponsored trees and plants displayed in the Convention ballroom and foyer. NCF raised over $30,000 in 2014 during NATCA's 15th Biennial Convention, which featured the second "Show Your Roots" campaign. Individuals, facilities, and areas within facilities sponsored 100 trees for the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Also at NATCA's 15th Biennial Convention, NCF collected more than $10,000 in donations to benefit Finnegan's Community Fund, which provides food for the hungry in the Midwest. San Diego is home to one of the largest military communities in the United States. To support the Salute to Community theme, NCF will donate money raised at NCF events this week to several charities in the San Diego area that honor the selfless sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. In addition to featured local charities, NCF will donate money to United Soldiers and Sailors of America, a national charity that provides assistance to combat wounded service members and their families. NCF-sponsored events this week include a Form 1187 drive for NATCA President Paul Rinaldi to ride a wave tonight at the WaveHouse (1187 deductions are similar to Union dues and go directly to NCF), a dog tag engraving fundraiser – where for a small donation – you can get a personalized dog tag at the NCF booth (if you participate in the Form 1187 fundraiser, your engraving is free!), a silent auction (auction numbers can be found on your Convention badge), and a Support The Troops fundraiser, where each donation of $50 or more will garner you a suroard ornament that will be hung from a support tree featured throughout Convention. These trees will then be donated to San Diego Habitat For Humanity to go to a local urban development project. ✪ Elena Nash, President ncf.enash@natca.net Robin Hill, Vice President NCFVicePresident@natca.net Stephanie Soignet, Treasurer NCFTreasurer@natca.net Dawn Taylor, Secretary NCFSecretary@natca.net Phil Carpino Carrie Connor Patricia Gilbert Robert Hill Elisa Muise NCF OFFICERS 2016-18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS For more information on NCF and how to get involved, contact: natcacharitable@natca.net 202.220.9831

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