The 98 Fund (The Alaska Project)’s Post

Yesterday we met as a board to focus on our priorities for 2024 which included a commitment to expanding our recipient base for our programs. We were also honored with a visit by Willy Porter who performed his new song, "I Will Reach For You" which is inspired by our efforts to honor those we've lost, support those left behind, and try to help veterans in need. This was followed by the unveiling of our 2023 video, expertly produced by Jessica Savidge and her Savidge, Co. It provides an overview of the property and some of the facilities, and uses Willy's song as the backdrop - highlighting how the entire property is purpose-built to help honor those we have lost. Please enjoy this video and look for an exciting summer of amazing weeks with survivor families and others! https://lnkd.in/g9G_8HUJ

Hearing that our partnerships and programs positively impact people’s lives is pretty rewarding - but hearing about life-SAVING impacts is truly amazing. Grateful for the volunteers with Remedy Alpine for all they do, their friendship & support, and for helping to save a life.

TAKING GOOD TO GREAT! Yet again The Home Depot and their amazing Alaskan employees showed up for the 3rd Annual "Home Depot Day" at #TheAlaskaProject. This year, over 40 volunteers (of all ages) cleaned flower beds, conducted lawn maintenance, cleared trails, planted trees and countless over projects to make this Veteran and Gold Star retreat look amazing! With the help of #TeamDepot sponsorship and donations from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, the property looks stunning and ready to support the more than 60 #Survivors and #GoldStar Family members scheduled to spend time here this summer honoring their loved ones. Thank You again to volunteers from the Wasilla, Anchorage, Kenny and Fairbanks stores - You REALLY showed up and put in the work! The 98 Fund (The Alaska Project) could do this without your help. A special thanks to Eric Rangel for his support and believing in our mission. #ServingThoseWhoServed #Alaska #Volunteers #The98Fund #HonorAndRemember #The98Fund

Summer has arrived in Alaska and the ground is clear at #TheAlaskaProject allowing work to start! One of the biggest priorities to kick off the season is protecting the cabins and facilities built by volunteers over the years which means ROOFING - and for the third year in a row, Carlisle Construction Materials has donated much-needed metal roofing and Gibson Roofing has provided the skilled labor for the install! This support enables The 98 Fund (The Alaska Project) to sponsor and host retreats for #GoldStar and #Survivor families at our purpose-built property near #PalmerAK where they can #HonorAndRemember their loved ones while connecting with the land and adding to our memorial and staying in cabins built by volunteers who understand our mission of connecting people to #RememberTheFallen, help those left behind, and find ways to help Veterans in need! THANK YOU CCM and Gibson for all you have done to support us! #The98Fund #CarlisleConstructionMaterials #CCM #GibsonRoofing #Volunteers #Alaska #ServingThoseWhoServed

Join #The98Fund president (Mark (Rock) DeRocchi, P.E.) and volunteer (Mike McCauley) on the Alaska Public Media's #OutdoorExplorer podcast hosted by Amy Bushatz as they talk about Memorial Day, Alaska, and Gold Star Peak. Balancing the traditional start of summer with our solemn promise to #NeverForget those we have lost, Memorial Day allows us to take the time to #HonorAndRemember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, to #SayTheirName to help ensure they never die that "second death", and vow to be better people so our nation is worthy of the sacrifice. Rock and Mike discuss their personal stories, how service to others is so important, how The 98 Fund (The Alaska Project) retreat property helps honor the Fallen while supporting surviving families. They then discuss how climbing Gold Star Peak and connecting with the amazingly powerful memorial (envisioned and created by Kirk Alkire and Gold Star Peak, Inc.) helps honor the Fallen while also providing a personal challenge and "crucible" event where the hard work and effort to reach the summit adds the awe-inspiring and emotional impact of reaching the top. For those that have (and will) make this climb with us, we are thankful for the partnership with Remedy Alpine and the local JBER EOD teams who support our climbs all summer. https://lnkd.in/g4_7tdvs

THANK YOU, Hilcorp employees of Alaska! This year, the employees of Hilcorp Alaska, LLC selected The 98 Fund (The Alaska Project) as their non-profit partner during their annual fundraiser. We are blessed and thankful for their support and want to send a special thanks to both Paulette Hobbs and Michelle Gherardini for running the "Hilcorp North Slope Seat Auction" and for their tireless efforts to make this all happen. Thanks to Bo York (Operations Manager and Army Veteran) for joining Paulette and Michelle in the check presentation to President Mark (Rock) DeRocchi, P.E., board members Steve Tetreault and Kaleigh Wotring, and other local volunteers Melissa DeRocchi and Linda Boucher. This very gracious donation from over 50 Hilcorp employees means we can support even more Families of the Fallen and veterans in need. To the employees of Hilcorp Alaska, our hats are off to you! #TheAlaskaProject #HilCorpAlaska #The98Fund #HonorAndRemember #GoldStarFamilies #SurvivorFamilies #nonprofit #alaska #donate #volunteers #Veterans #ServingThoseWhoServed

As The 98 Fund & The Alaska Project continue to grow, we are proud to announce that this year we will once again be expanding our recipient base for our "Young Adult Survivor Week" to be held at The Alaska Project retreat property between July 14-20 2024. This week is a veteran-led, mentor-based retreat focused on honoring and remembering those we have lost, while building skills and relationships for a bright future. If you are a young adult (approximately 17-25 years old) who has lost a service member parent and wish to join us, please submit an application. Applications are available at: the98fund.org (News - All Events - Survivor Week - https://lnkd.in/gpGw3nsx) Applications are DUE by February 15th Submit applications and/or questions to: AKproject@the98fund.org. #The98Fund #TheAlaskaProject #HonorAndRemember #YoungAdults

It’s a cold and wintery day across most of the U.S. so it’s a perfect time to think about the summer and coming up to support The Alaska Project in 2024. Join us on February 7th for an update and interest meeting. We'll discuss our current progress & schedule for 2024 and help answer questions from those interested. Lots of opportunities to spend time at this amazing property and support our mission! Registration is FREE and connects you to the login/viewing information as well as other information. See our website (the98fund.org) or Facebook page (/the98fund) for a related FB event and additional info. FREE REGISTRATION: https://lnkd.in/gSU9qb8S

We are extremely thankful for PeopleShare and their focus on connecting Veterans with meaningful employment. Additionally, we are grateful for their continued support to our programs and The Alaska Program