Rally Point 56

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Rally Pointers fall in once again.

Speaker 2 (00:04):
It's that time today on Friday for the Rally Point
Radio Show with your host Jay the Sarch having away
with Amina Makanu tag teamun in here behind the microphone
and we have the man of course behind the behind
the scoreboard zaying the brain.

Speaker 3 (00:19):
How are you doing today, folks?

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Good doing all right?

Speaker 3 (00:22):
And with that being said, who we have on our
show for today?

Speaker 1 (00:25):
And now it's that time again for our positively caffeinated
segment featuring coach Dane Boyle. Good morning Dane, how are you?

Speaker 4 (00:34):
Good morning everybody. I'm doing well. Happy New Year to everybody.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
Happy New Year. So how's the how's the coffee on
your end of the phone this morning?

Speaker 4 (00:42):
Well, for some reason it's not brewing. But you know what,
flexibility and figuring things out, it's sexually your resilience muscle
and the coffee pop doesn't want to do it seeing
It's just part of life, isn't it great?

Speaker 1 (00:53):
That is key? Do you have a backup plan for
your machine malfunctions?

Speaker 4 (00:57):
Well, I'll try not to swear and beat the credit
out of it while we're on there. No, yeah, I've
actually had one cup. I'd bout you rocked three miles
at sixteen degrees.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
You said you already rocked three miles.

Speaker 4 (01:10):
It just is what it is.

Speaker 3 (01:12):
Wow, did you say sixteen degrees?

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yes, windhill, It is a risk from one degree, but yes.

Speaker 4 (01:21):
The answer is sixteen degree or is sixteen degrees wind chill?

Speaker 1 (01:24):
Yeah? In the San Antonio metro area. I have a
friend that lives out there, and she sent a group
text to a bunch of us with a screenshot of
her weather forecast for the next week horrendous by Texas standards.
And I went to tech school in San Antonio in
the like I was there. So I went to basic
training in February. It was freezing.

Speaker 3 (01:46):
Oh my god.

Speaker 1 (01:47):
There were mornings we'd be standing out there waiting for
chow and it was like thirty something degrees outside, but
by the afternoon it'd be like in the seventies. And
then I graduated tech school in March. I was because
they didn't have room at my tech school for myself
and a bunch of other trainees that were headed to

(02:07):
tech school. So we were on holdover status at Lachlan
in Basic Training until about April, I think, and then
we finally got you know, shuffled across San Antonio to
Brooks Brooks Air Force Base. I'll date myself Brooks Air
Force Base, which has now been Brooks City Base for about, oh,

(02:27):
I don't know, fifteen years, maybe longer. Yeah, So went
to tech school there, and our tech school went until
the end of July. So by the end of July
it was halt like not hot, like hawt halt outside.
There were days that we were just like we thought
we were going to melt into the pavement just marching

(02:49):
to and from class. So, yeah, Texas definitely has some
wonky weather. And I think a few years ago you
guys had like a deep freeze that was actually kind
of scary, like I mean, were like losing electricity, you know,
almost freezing to death. It was awful.

Speaker 4 (03:05):
We like to refer to it it's either snowvid or
snow again in something.

Speaker 5 (03:09):
Yeah, I like it.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
Holy wow, you already I.

Speaker 4 (03:14):
Haven't snowed that much since nineteen eighty five, and we
didn't have really whack out and a whole bunch other's crazy.

Speaker 1 (03:22):
Well, you know what it's been, it's been forty years
since that last Snowmageddon. I'm going to knock on wood
that you guys aren't do for another one good grief.
So you already wrapped three miles this morning.

Speaker 6 (03:34):
I did.

Speaker 4 (03:35):
So my word to hear is thrive. So thrive and
everything I do, my personal life, my professional life, dad life,
granddad's life, all the things. And I have three questions
I would ask myself every single day. Been sure I thrive?
Will this make me healthy? Will this make me wealthy?
And will just bring me closer to God? And getting

(03:55):
up this morning at sixteen degrees you realize that you
don't control mother nature, and I'm blas to have the
clothes to uh cover up. So I figured today was
going to answer number one and at least number three.
It will make me healthy and bring me closer to God.
Because I rocked without any music and there's just me,
the wind and a couple of seagulls.

Speaker 1 (04:14):
I think that's awesome, right, very cool? Yeah, I haven't
done my rock yet today, so I I ruck as
well with Dane and his group. So he has he
has a group on Facebook. Do you want to talk
about that your social media?

Speaker 7 (04:29):
Greer?

Speaker 4 (04:31):
So I run that particular rocking group and it's called
Segeine Rock club S c g U I N rock club,
so that's the city. And then the mother company is
really the Legacy Rock Club, so that we have places
all over the country, but the one that I specifically
run is at Sageine Rot Club. And then you can
get in it. All you have to do is answer

(04:53):
the question. There are no butt heads allowed, no jerks
allowed in the in the group, so please answer the question.
And it's just a filter to make sure that you're
willing to obey the rules where there's no eight, no bullying.
You know, there's no outright sales. But the idea there
is that we can like you. No I'm in Texas,
mendes im sportive. Location isn't a barrier. So with the

(05:16):
challenges out there, with the connection out there, with the
community out there, that's ultimately what's about. And for us,
it's purpose overpace. So if you want to go run
or you want to ruck at a higher pace, that's
absolutely fine. But the end of the day, for us,
it's what is your purpose? And you cannot fulfill your purpose.
I don't believe if you're not your healthiest, we can try,

(05:37):
but we can do it better when we are healthier
or we are connected. And that's ultimately what that Sagine
Rock Club that is. I guess the rock club is all.

Speaker 1 (05:45):
About absolutely and I would dare say that rucking it
really means different things that different people. Is a very
multifaceted approach because it's not just about fitness, Like people
in the Sageine Rock Club share posts about maybe like
an aha, eureka kind of moment they had while they
were rucking, or just things that occurred to them that

(06:07):
they you know, maybe were more mindful of their surroundings,
more grateful for things they have in their lives. So
it's not just necessarily slapping on a you know, ten
twenty pounds backpack and going for a walk around your neighborhood.
I mean, that's obviously part of it. But the other
piece of it is kind of what's the underlying you know,

(06:28):
what's the underlying thing that resonates with you while you're
doing that movement while you're rocking, and it's it's pretty cool.
It's nice to see people's breakthrough moments. It's nice to
see people lifting one another up because that's what we
should be doing in this world more so than anything else.
And it's just it's a great community. So yeah, if

(06:50):
people want to get involved with that. It's it's a
wonderful way to you know, kind of use social media
for good in a lot of ways. And it's a
good way to bring people together across state lines, you know,
beyond borders kind of thing, which is really cool. I
think that's kind of how Dane and I have done
that since twenty eighteen when we met. So, I mean

(07:13):
we've only been in each other's airspace one time, and
that was when you were my uber driver to the
airport when I was going home from a TDY.

Speaker 4 (07:20):
And it's so funny and from there.

Speaker 1 (07:22):
It's just blossomed and taken off.

Speaker 4 (07:24):
Woll It absolutely has. But I agree with you when
it comes to the rucking, it's not you know, I
was the Air Force guy with Army guys in twenty
you know mile rocks or whatever carrying hundreds.

Speaker 1 (07:36):
Of pounds, right, or special operators too.

Speaker 4 (07:39):
Yeah, it's I think it's different in the sense that
you get to choose this, you get to carry that weight,
you get to release the weight, you get to lecture
mental resilience, you get to connect with nature and I
think yourself, and then ultimately when you decide to join
our community, you get community. So even though I'm sure

(08:03):
I'm the only one in that group that's actually met Amanda,
over time, the more that you're involved, the more that
you share, the more that you are willing to kind
of peel back the onion and, like Amanda said, share
about your self discovery or even a little bit of
anguish you know that you decide to overcome, or that
maybe you didn't overcome and you just need a boost

(08:25):
that says, hey, Dane's gotten even though he's in Texas
and you're in Michigan or Florida or wherever the case
may be. And then you know, one day, who knows,
we'll come to Florida. We'll all ruck together. And there's
nothing better, I think than building that relationship, building that idea,
building that connection, and then having the applicuity to actually

(08:45):
give a high five, give a hug, ruck together, break
bread together, and enjoy life together.

Speaker 1 (08:51):
Really absolutely, I would agree, and we definitely, well I
don't say we, but I definitely plan on taking my
family to Texas at one point, and then we will
make that a reality, because I do. We have very
dear friends that live probably stones throw away from you,
and we intend definitely to go visit them, So why

(09:12):
not while visiting them, come by and take a you know,
have a nice little rock session. And it is it's
a good way. Like the more you interact on that page,
the more you get to kind of know people, and
so that definitely it makes sense that that would be
a natural progression of things most definitely.

Speaker 2 (09:34):
No, I'm just I'm just taking it back because I'm
sitting here remembering a scene from Forrest Company starts running
across the country and as he's running, people start running,
start running with him, and they don't know why he's running,
but as he's going along, just by happenstance during the journey.
You know, it's insane way that the happy face came

(09:54):
from him.

Speaker 1 (09:55):
Why he makes impacts on so many people as he
goes along, whether exactly the happy face it happens exactly,
you know, things like that, or you know, just giving
people a renewed sense of purpose, that's what he did.
I mean, eventually he had people running with him, and
I think that stemmed from a renewed sense of purpose exactly.

Speaker 2 (10:14):
And I get that same sense with your ruckings, like
a introspection of you're going through the physical challenges, and
I'm going to whole flashback of basic training and basically
you're sitting there, Oh no, you kind of work things
out as you're actually going through the physical trials and tribulations,
and then you have at your epiphany moment and then

(10:35):
you find I guess whatever you're looking for, what you
need to find.

Speaker 1 (10:38):
I would dare argue that sometimes depending on how far
you go or you know, what might be on your
mind or what you're pondering, there's Runners high, but I
think there's also Ruckers high. Like you kind of yeah,
you kind of get to a point where it's like
this renewed sense of clarity. You kind of have a
little bit more of a pep in your step. You know,

(10:59):
It's it's kind of cool when that hits you. Would
you agree, Dane, Oh.

Speaker 4 (11:04):
I'd absolutely agree. I think that again. First of all,
I think I said this before mother nature as natural Dan,
next right, it's calling it gives you a sense of wonderment.
And then, like you said, whether it's that first step,
that first mile, if you go on a really long rock,
there's some there's a piece in there that if you
allow it for self discovery, that is it can be

(11:27):
life changing. Really, it can be the epiphany that takes
your life to the next step. It can be overcoming
hardship in your life or whatever that case. And we
call it with strength through struggle because I believe we
grow stronger by embracing those challenges and ultimate work carrying
that load. And you know what about that load and
those things that we've been carrying in our lives lifetime.
When you rough, eventually you actually get to take that
load off, yes, and leave it and leave it behind.

Speaker 1 (11:50):
It's interesting that you say strength through struggle because I
had a friend when I was in the Air Force
to say together in the struggle. And when you get
to like we were at a later point in our careers.
I think we were both probably within a couple of
years of retirement, and we were in positions where it's

(12:10):
pretty high stress, and so it was kind of it
was reassuring. Those three words were very reassuring, and I
was like, man, that's so awesome, because if there's anything
in this world that I am not, it's concise and
that statement was just so simple and so impactful. But
it was three words together in the struggle. So I

(12:30):
think strength through struggle is right up there with it
as far as just like together in the struggle, you know,
we we received strength from knowing that we weren't alone
and that somebody could level with what we were dealing
with and empathize and walk alongside us. Strength through struggle
is the same thing as far as you know, you

(12:52):
you become stronger because of your struggles, because life's just
Life's not always can you knowow, yeah, unicorns, lollipops, all
that jazz, It really isn't. And so I think a
lot of people try to put out that false positive
of you know, my life is perfect, everything is wonderful.

(13:14):
And some people choose to only talk about stuff like
that on social media. And I can understand that because
they don't want to perpetuate negativity necessarily. But I think
it's important for us to be honest with ourselves and
honest with others that, you know, life is not always
going to be you know, a pocket full of sunshine,

(13:35):
basketful of flowers, and so when that happens, how do
we respond? You know, how do we react? What do
we do to kind of overcome and combat that? And
so that's I mean, strength through struggle is that's pretty clever.

Speaker 3 (13:51):
I like that definitely.

Speaker 2 (13:52):
And with that being said, I had a question for you, Dane,
for the new year that we have coming up, and
we're talking about strength through struggle, what can you offer
our listeners to kind of you know, how do you
get yourself on the right step and or if you
had a false step, how do you get yourself back
onto the the the the point, the rally, point of
being positive.

Speaker 4 (14:15):
And we can use the puns to take like you said,
the step right. Yes, because we're talking, I was.

Speaker 1 (14:20):
Going to say, as you can tell, his caffeine still
has yet to kick in.

Speaker 4 (14:24):
Yeah, my coffee did make by the way, just so
you know, small right, No, that's it. I think that
maybe the key is putting that backpack on and taking
that first literal step outside. And I said earlier is
its purpose? Overpace? I didn't say that you had to

(14:45):
be able to you know, rock your twelve miles and
sub three or four hours focus? Over pace? What is
your purpose in the In my COCI community, we are
reading The Energy of Us by John Gordon's book came
up and eight and have you any of you all
read that before?

Speaker 8 (15:03):
Yeah?

Speaker 1 (15:03):
I read it when I was in the air force. Yeah,
that's a good book and I actually was thinking about
it recently with like energy vampires and stuff like that.

Speaker 4 (15:10):
Wow, exactly. Well, and you are the driver of your bus.
That step that you were talking about, that that step,
that misstep, that whatever that is, own it. And even
when ways or Google Maps sold you to take a
left and you want to take a right, you get
to choose whether take a legal you turn out. I
don't want to take a freaking you turn right now.

(15:32):
I want to go forward. But you need to own it.
But the big thing is I think that we need
to take a moment and find some silence and think
about what you want. But your mom, your dad, your brother,
your sister, and I say this all the time. So
I'm you're outside of San Antonio. You're a tia, your
t O, which is your aunt and uncle? What drives
your bus? What motivates you? What sets your soul on fire?

(15:54):
Everything I do, everybody I talked to, I I want
to know what sets your soul on fire. And you
may not know immediately because you've been told sit down,
be by it, don't run. You know what you have
to raise your hand first. And these are things we've
been conditioned to do well if you have a few
gray hairs like I do, and no hair on your
head like I do. We've lived a little we've lived
a little bit and now and it's kind it's funny,

(16:18):
I think, because we call it mid life. Well, I'm
over fifty. I don't know very many people over one
hundred years old. So I asked midlife exactly right?

Speaker 1 (16:28):
So I may have.

Speaker 4 (16:29):
Twenty five, thirty forty. I want good years. I want admissions,
I want the ambulatory, mean to move and walk, all
these things. But now, because I've lived, because I've been
blessed to raise my kids, what do I want? And
I say this all the time, and Mark Twain said,
the most important days of your life are the day
you're born, in the day you find out why go

(16:51):
on that silent rock, go for a walk, and again,
I don't care how fast, and I really don't care
how far. If all of a sudden you have that
epiphany that says, this is what I need to do,
this is who I am. And you don't have to
become a bazillionaire because of it. All you have to
do is want to do it and have the desire.
I don't I'm never gonna paint like Picasso. But if
I want to give an easel and I want to

(17:11):
go by paint, I can paint. And nobody can tell
me it sucks. They can, but it's what fills my heart.
It doesn't matter. If I want to sing and I
don't sing like I don't even know jay Z Beyonce, whatever,
it doesn't matter. Right, I get to sing at the
top of my lungs if that's what I want. And
in the books that Chero tells us, it's reminds us
we're not in middle school anymore. So it doesn't matter

(17:33):
because there's only one of you. They'll ever be one
of you, and it makes you pretty special. So go
any of the top of your lungs, put on that backpack,
take that first step, and you decide, and if you
need help, reach out, and you could do it together.
And the ancient provert says, if you want to go fast,
go alone. If you want to go far, go together,
So find a partner.

Speaker 2 (17:54):
Oh wow, And that's insightful right there. And I definitely
can imagine with the the program, the Ruck program, you
guys do just that we're on that rock as individuals,
but at the same time, I'm here. If you falter,
if you false step, I can grab you. And I
have that having you as a support system for me.

(18:14):
So for me, the imagery of the rock itself with
a bunch of people actually physically as a group of
people rucking but on their own personal I say, psychological
trek of sorts. Is that about the neighborhood?

Speaker 4 (18:31):
Oh? For sure, I think the psychology of it, because again,
if you want to go far, go together. And like so,
if Amanda goes out today, or when Amanda goes out today,
and if she's struggling, she can literally grab her phone
and she could post something in that group. And I guarantee,
if that a couple hundred people in there, somebody's gonna say, girl,
take a deep breath, fix your rock back, sit on

(18:52):
a park bench that you need to compose yourself, and
let's go.

Speaker 3 (18:57):
Wow.

Speaker 2 (18:57):
That's that's that's awesome right there. I can only imagine
how how long have you been doing this for.

Speaker 3 (19:07):
Besides yourself?

Speaker 4 (19:09):
So I besides being active duty. April of last year,
so I read a book called The Comfort Crisis. Highly hot.
I I love personal developments. You haven't figured that out?
I highly recommend the book. And in the book, the
Gentleman talks about Michael Easter is his name. He sends

(19:29):
partner with go Rut, but he talks about uh military
for a one thousand and thousand years of carried stuff
on the back and the value of rooking, and just
you talked about an epiphany. It hit a chord with me,
and I was like, Okay, I would like to try it.
I went literally, you know, got my backpack and one
I kind of take on the airplane. I took a

(19:50):
couple of dumbbells in my garage and I went on
a on a walk. Was it the most comfortable thing? No?
Was it great? No? But I didn't cost me any
It didn't cost any money because I already had the.

Speaker 1 (20:01):
Yeah, I took. I took ankle weights for mine and
I have a weighted vest somewhere in my house that
for whatever reason refuses to be found at the moment.
But once I find that, that's going in my up too.

Speaker 4 (20:14):
So again, it's been actually almost two years ago, so
I timed with like because it's twenty twenty five, so
it was twenty twenty three of April. I did it.
I put it out into my trail wazeer community, which
is my community, my bigger paid community with lack of
a better term, and it's really just taken off. And
then within the community, local community, somebody had gone on

(20:40):
Facebook and put you know the city I live in
and rock and I came up and talking about it,
and he had created a local rocking club and I'm like,
I don't know why I didn't think about that, And
I created the Singing Rock Club. And as we as
of the recording of this, were just under a couple
of hundred people. That's awesome coming yeah, coming from all
over and again get straight through struggle. That building resilience.

(21:01):
And for me, the most important thing I can help
people do is give them a place to hang their
hat that will support them and love them and encourage
them to the good and the bad.

Speaker 5 (21:15):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (21:15):
I think the community and the sense of purpose is huge,
because I mean, not everybody in your rough club is
a veteran. However, I know that your target group is veterans,
first responders, and educators. And when we leave those circles
through retirement or you know, maybe it's a move or

(21:36):
a relocation or something or whatever reason it is, once
we are kind of removed from being in those circles
on a daily basis. That sense of purpose is one
of the I think the biggest things that becomes a
void for our groups, for veterans, first responders, and educators,
that purpose, that camaraderie that you know, that group cohesion

(21:58):
kind of leaves us and then we're kind of a
drift and we're kind of trying to figure out how
do I get back to that. And I think that
the rucking concept is fantastic for that because it allows
us to move forward in our journey, you know, whether
it's retiring from the military, retiring from being an educator,

(22:18):
first responder, or just moving on to a different career
that maybe doesn't have that kind of camaraderie in it anymore.
It allows us to still retain that sense of purpose,
that community, you know, that group of people who are
you know, strength through struggle together in the struggle, whatever
the case might be, that can relate and help, you know,

(22:40):
lift you up and keep that sense of purpose intact.
And I think that's imperative most.

Speaker 2 (22:45):
Definitely, especially for US veterans when we used to have
these family I call the family macrocosms in service and
when we leave it, they tend to get spread out
the United States and we lose that kind of that
cohesion being together. And I think with the if I
can imagine the rock rucking scenario, you kind of rebuild

(23:09):
that family group again. And I would say especially the
importance that would be having that battle buddy scenario, preparing
to take the preparation before the conversations you have inside
out and after the ruck we build those communication lines again.
And I think that's essential for our mental health and

(23:30):
stability as veterans, and i'd say veterans in the respect
of the military and emergency and first responders.

Speaker 1 (23:37):
It's the family dynamic. Your friends who become your family.
I love that word family. It's one of my favorites.

Speaker 3 (23:43):
I think you should make a T shirt of it.

Speaker 1 (23:45):
Yeah, I was gonna say we are family. I think
I think a.

Speaker 4 (23:48):
Lot of us.

Speaker 1 (23:49):
Yeah, I think a lot of us use that term exactly.
We could be like we are framily make a song.
I've got all my sisters and me, although now I
got brothers to you, so whatever, I got all my
people and me.

Speaker 4 (24:06):
Both. You are completely right. It's shared camaraderie, right, And
I believe that first responders, educators. There's a part of
us that we've learned or maybe it's even innate, that
we want to do something bigger than ourselves. And when
you're you were at one time connected with the men
and women who had that same mindset, and then you

(24:28):
either get out or you retire, and then one on
that Monday, it's just not there anymore, and we often
are a little bit lost. Well, where is my shared community,
where is my shared connection? Where is my shared mission,
vision and purpose? And maybe that's what sards what struck
me with rucking and deciding that hey, I can ruck

(24:49):
alone so to speak. I mean, I was out there
this morning by myself, but at the same time, I'm
not because Amanda's going to go out there to do. Bob
is in Colorado Springs. Bob actually is why my Trailblazer
are speaking coming together, and he'll be in the San
Antonio area at the end of next month, and I'm like,
I got extra ruck back, I got a place, and
we're going to go ruck together. And so even though

(25:09):
he typically does his in Kentucky, he's in Colorado. A
man is in Florida, you know, and I mean Steves
and Idaho it doesn't matter. We had that shared camaraderie
and then to go back to the conversation piece, we
can talk about what we experienced at the time, whether
it's the wind, the range, personal etiphany, all of those things.
And so that shared camaraderie is absolutely.

Speaker 1 (25:29):
Huge, absolutely well. We definitely look forward to having more
conversations with you on Positively Caffeinated about rocking life and
other adventures. So with that, thanks for being on the
show today, Dane. We appreciate you and we'll see you
next time.

Speaker 4 (25:47):
Sounds wonderful. Thank you and keep on rucking you too.

Speaker 1 (25:53):
And we're back. And now we're joined by SHAWNA. Willis
with Right at Home Southwest Florida and Kim Spencer with Brookdale.
And we had them back on the show because we
wanted to do a follow up on the Home Goods
for Heroes drive that was done here in Charlotte County
back in the later end of twenty twenty four. Now
it's geeing Rey twenty twenty five. All the donations have

(26:15):
been collected, distributed and from what I understand, you guys
have some pretty big news to share. So welcome back
to the show.

Speaker 9 (26:22):
Thank you, thank you.

Speaker 1 (26:23):
Yeah, thanks for being here, and so tell us how
the drive went. What was the final outcome of donations received?

Speaker 7 (26:31):
So it was more successful than we even anticipated. We
had collectively over twelve thousand dollars in donations.

Speaker 1 (26:40):
Incredible, Yes, so.

Speaker 7 (26:42):
Much that we had to rent a storage facility and
store the rest of the items there that we could
not dispense right away.

Speaker 1 (26:50):
That's a good problem to have though, Oh yeah, for.

Speaker 9 (26:53):
Sure it was.

Speaker 6 (26:54):
It was exciting just to see the eyes when we,
you know, went to the U haul track to get
it and you lift it up and it is just
from front to back, top to bottom, just packed with everything.

Speaker 9 (27:05):
And that was so rewarding. We had one.

Speaker 6 (27:07):
Gentleman I think he said he'd been on the street
for six hundred days wow, and was graduating the program. Wow,
I was graduating.

Speaker 9 (27:15):
So he was the first recipient of our donation.

Speaker 1 (27:18):
Yes, yes, that's wonderful. What a worthy cause. So I'll
tell you after you guys came on the show and
told us about the program. So every year, and Jay
will laugh at this because it will totally make sense.
So I'm a very anal retentive person. I try to
be very organized. So every year I give my kids
a Christmas questionnaire. I give my husband one two so

(27:40):
everybody in the family has to fill it out because
I am not going to sit here and play the
what do you want for Christmas?

Speaker 7 (27:45):
Game?

Speaker 1 (27:45):
So I ask leading questions and I get them to
share stuff with me that gives me enough hints to
put everything together. So every year I ask them what
is a charitable organization that you would like to support?
And this year it was so cool both of them
my kids put. One of them put a veterans program
and another one put homeless veterans and I thought that

(28:07):
was really cool. So when I saw that, I think
it was getting close to like almost like probably the
last week of donations, and I was looking through my
email and I saw an email from you, and I
was like, oh my gosh, I have to get on
there and order some stuff. So I did make a donation.
But the cool thing about it was I was able
to tell my kids on Christmas, like, Hey, one of

(28:28):
your Christmas wishes got fulfilled. I ended up making donations
in your name to this organization in our community that
is helping homeless veterans get back on their feet and
have some dignity and live on their own again and
that was really cool. So I think this will definitely
become an annual thing for our family as well, or

(28:49):
an ongoing thing because from what I understand, this is
going to be an enduring, ongoing initiative in our community,
not necessarily an annual drive. Am I correct? Awesome? So
so tell us about how that kind of after all
the items were distributed, after you know, all the data

(29:09):
was collected on how this went, then what happened?

Speaker 7 (29:14):
So Kim, myself and Heidi we sat down and we
basically said, look, you know, why do we want to
do this once a year? You know, Christmas time, great,
the holidays. These veterans are rotating through this community every
thirty to sixty days hopefully, so why can't we continue
to provide the items to them throughout the entire year

(29:37):
instead of just once a year giving them one large,
massive donation.

Speaker 9 (29:41):
And we kind of just all agreed, yes, absolutely.

Speaker 7 (29:45):
And from that we ended up creating a non for
profit and we just got approved in the state of Florida.

Speaker 3 (29:51):
Congratulation, Yes, thank you.

Speaker 7 (29:53):
And it's going to be called Helping Hearts for Heroes,
and through that we will continue to do our home
going for Heroes Drive, along with some other projects that
we're excited that we're working on and planning now that
we'll be able to come back and tell you guys
about in the future.

Speaker 2 (30:11):
Most definitely, and folks that are listening here. I had
the pleasure and the honor participating in the first iteration
of home goods for Heroes. And when we actually gave
the goodies out, so to speak, to paint the picture properly,
we had some food there, a lot of people there.

(30:35):
I'd say at least eighteen of us showed up and
then we were, you know, breaking bread with the troops
that were there. The veterans are placed there and at
first you're a little skittish, and then after a couple
of hours had passed it we're waiting reading for people,
they start to warm up. And then when we start
hanging out the bags, Iowa say that as a fellow veteran,

(30:59):
there's a certain mentality that we have and it's pride,
and we kind of skipped over the pride part and
they are very receptive in opening of our of our
gifts and they started what else got a hug?

Speaker 3 (31:13):
I think, and I'm like going like whoa, And at
first they go hoo.

Speaker 2 (31:18):
These people there are like, oh, here we go, and
they warmed up and we had a couple of connections there.
And I will say thank you again because that's the
type of outreach we need to do as a veteran community.

Speaker 1 (31:30):
And it sounds like there were some breakthroughs.

Speaker 3 (31:32):
Oh there were, Oh they were sure.

Speaker 2 (31:34):
Yes, they were into in the mission to not started
because we have so many veterans that we still haven't
helped yet. So thank you for being the brainchild of
this lovely creation and your new nonprofit.

Speaker 1 (31:47):
Absolutely, I was I was bummed to miss it because
I was out of town and I know you guys
reach out to me and I was like, oh'll be
out of town. So I was so sad to miss it.
But I'm glad that it went well, and I'm glad
that also this will be something like you touched on
Seanna that the holidays, it's that's always the season of giving.
People are always more generous. It's nice that this will
be spread throughout the year so that people's needs are

(32:10):
met in real time.

Speaker 7 (32:13):
And when we met with Nancy over at the Volunteers
of America's Veterans Village and Gorda. She had said, you know,
they're typically there less than ninety days, that's the goal.
They can stay up to six months. So you think
about it if we're doing.

Speaker 1 (32:31):
Just that end of the year December.

Speaker 7 (32:35):
Yeah, need help that don't know where to turn to
get these items.

Speaker 1 (32:40):
And who are worthy to receive the benefits.

Speaker 7 (32:43):
Absolutely, and you know there's a lot of organizations that
help them. A lot of them get consignment items and
other things and they're just grateful to have them. But
we through our collections are giving them brand new items correct.

Speaker 9 (32:57):
To start off in their new journey.

Speaker 1 (32:59):
Yeah, and that's the that's a big deal for the
dignity piece of it. You know, it's not you're worth
more than you know, maybe something that's previously used. I mean,
I'm sure they're grateful for everything they receive. That's not
to diminish anyone else's contribution. But brand new stuff is
I think it further perpetuates a brand new start.

Speaker 9 (33:18):
Right what was neat?

Speaker 6 (33:19):
There was an actual article I guess it was over
the weekend. Ambetz, who was Ambits seven seven seven in Englewood,
was tremendous, tremendously generous to us, and so they went
back and got them underwear and socks.

Speaker 1 (33:35):
And they hosted an event for you, didn't they to
help you with getting the word out.

Speaker 7 (33:40):
The Funshine Flockers is the name of the women's group.
Carmela is the organization founder and she's the one who
reached out to us and said, we'd love to host
an event. Let us sponsor ten veterans. I mean through
their donations. It was more than ten veterans.

Speaker 3 (33:56):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (33:56):
Wow.

Speaker 7 (33:57):
And we've invited them to come and attack and the presentation,
so to speak. And I think initially they were a
little shy, but then we're like, no, we want to
give you credit. Please, we want you to see these
betteran yeah, or getting your lovely donations. And there was
four of them that showed up that day, and I
mean they were just amazing, and they're like, let's do

(34:18):
this again next year.

Speaker 9 (34:20):
We want to do fourteen better.

Speaker 1 (34:21):
And that's wonderful because that's the contagious energy that really
ignites the whole thing. There are so many people in
our community who would give the shirt off their back,
but they don't want the recognition. So they will give
and give and give and do and do and do
in the background. But when it's time, like you said,
like please be present for this. A lot of them
shy away from that because that's not necessarily why they

(34:44):
do it, but it's so wonderful when they realize that
it's not about recognition, it's not about being there to
be like see what I did for you. It's more
about being there as a means of spreading joy, but
also giving the recipients the opportunity to think the people
who made a difference for them, and it gives them
kind of, I think, a piece of not necessarily I guess,

(35:06):
for lack of a better word, closure, really to like
let that veteran thank them, and let that veteran put,
you know, eyes to a face of somebody in their
community who they know genuinely cares enough.

Speaker 9 (35:17):
And she was really cute.

Speaker 8 (35:18):
They brought little Christmas goodie bags, little little bags, a
little chocolates, so she handed those out at the party
and that's just got to talk to some of the
veterans and you know, share their stories and their backgrounds, and.

Speaker 6 (35:32):
I think that was the best part was the day
that we actually delivered, because we got to talk to
them and sometimes, you know, they warmed up to us.
Some of their stories and everything. I mean, the thing
that this guy was in his car for almost two
years or two years then you know before he was
you know, somebody realized got him into the programs.

Speaker 9 (35:50):
It's very heartwarming.

Speaker 2 (35:52):
I'm also thankful that we helped out women who were
veterans as well. And the reason why I want to
harp on that when people usually do donations for veterans,
there's the preconception it's only men that they're doing correct,
And like I said, one of the things that we're
trying to crack into is that to let women know
who are veterans who serve their country.

Speaker 3 (36:13):
You're entitle to every benefit that we see you.

Speaker 1 (36:15):
We've recognized you.

Speaker 3 (36:17):
Well entitle to it too.

Speaker 7 (36:18):
So again phenomenal and Kim and I personally went shopping.

Speaker 1 (36:24):
That's wonderful.

Speaker 7 (36:25):
We were trying to find some good items, just some
little trinkets and things to make them feel appreciated and
know that you're still feminine.

Speaker 1 (36:32):
And you add the femininity to their new space for
sure and independence.

Speaker 2 (36:38):
If people were to look out and try to donate
to you right now, what would they where they go?
Who do they contact?

Speaker 9 (36:43):
So they can contact either of us directly?

Speaker 7 (36:46):
We still have our Home Goods for Heroes Facebook page.
We also have our home Goods to Heroes Amazon links,
so if they want to buy directly from the storefront
items so convenient.

Speaker 1 (36:58):
I did that that morning. When I saw your email,
I was like, oh my gosh, let me do this now.
And it made it so much easier, because like, sometimes
you'll go shopping and you'll throw a bunch of stuff
in a cart and then you're like, either you spent
too much or you didn't quite spend as much as
you wanted to, but you kind of want to keep
it equal. Like doing it through your Amazon link was
super helpful because it helped me make sure that I
was able to get stuff that made sense. I wasn't

(37:20):
just like you know, a raccoon on meth going through
a well knowing it in a car, am like sitting
there able to make like a mindful decision about what
I'm getting and why.

Speaker 7 (37:31):
And I think how many times we've all said, Okay,
we're going through our closets and we're donating goods, and
then there we drive around for six months with them
in our trunk.

Speaker 1 (37:39):
Of our cars. Yes, oh you're guilty.

Speaker 7 (37:40):
Of that too, not alone Yeah, directly to us and
we handle it and you don't have to worry about
it exactly.

Speaker 1 (37:48):
Amazon Prime is a beautiful, wonderful thing.

Speaker 7 (37:52):
And we are definitely doing a drive again in the spring.
That's going to be our next focus. We're looking more
to aprilish to start, so we'll have some information on
that fair enough to try to get something early in
this part of the year before we get back into
the holidays.

Speaker 1 (38:10):
Absolutely. And do you have any plans for doing any
kind of activities or like you know, public events if
you will, to kind of bring more visibility to the program.

Speaker 7 (38:22):
Yes, we have a couple of things that are in
the works. Potentially golf drive fundraiser, that's something we're looking
into right now.

Speaker 9 (38:33):
A couple other things focused more around Memorial Day. So
we're on the planning phases very cool. As you know,
we plan and we plan fast.

Speaker 1 (38:43):
Yes, he told me that, honestly, he said, you guys
are probably the most efficient and effective operation he's seen,
especially in the civilian realm. So we're used to the
bureau crazy of the military. And Shanna, you're a military spouse,
so I know you recognize, but we're used to things
being talked about and tossed around, and then it takes

(39:04):
like for ever to see it happen where he said,
you guys had this like I mean, honestly, we just
talked to you probably what two months ago, and you've
already like cranked this out, turned it into a nonprofit.
Not only had a successful drive, but now you've turned
it into a nonprofit. It's continuing to grow and evolve
and it's going to get bigger. What's another way if

(39:25):
people want to get involved from a volunteer standpoint, are
there options for that? And what kind of assistance or
manpower per se are you looking for from the community.

Speaker 7 (39:37):
I think definitely when we start the next drive, we
are looking for businesses that will host us to allow
us to put the donation box within their offices or
their storefronts. We're looking for people that would volunteer to
help us sort through the items, organize them, and get
them either put into storage or dispersed into the community

(39:59):
right away.

Speaker 9 (40:01):
What else do I.

Speaker 6 (40:02):
Think that's pretty much it, because that was the hardest
part was the boxes. Getting people to accept the boxes.
Some are so gracious and said absolutely, we'll do it,
and some, you know, we went back and they lost
the box.

Speaker 9 (40:14):
Oh no, so manning the boxes is key.

Speaker 3 (40:18):
Yeah, right.

Speaker 1 (40:19):
I think probably another way that people could help, especially
if you feel like you don't have a lot of time,
or you know, whatever the case might be, even something
so simple as following your Facebook page sure and then
sharing those posts, putting the word out in your circles
of friends, making sure that the word is being spread
throughout the community and to people who are long distance,

(40:40):
because obviously, if there's an Amazon link, anybody anywhere, and
this show is syndicated, so people end up hearing this
who are not in Southwest Florida, Anybody anywhere can go
on that Amazon link and place an order and provide
those items, whether you know, maybe you used to live
in Southwest Florida and you don't anymore, or you just
want to do something good because you love the Rally

(41:00):
Point show and what we stand for and you want
to help the groups that we aim to give visibility to.
It doesn't matter where you live. That's something you can
do from anywhere. And like I said, Amazon Prime is
a magical, wonderful thing, so you don't have to worry
about how it's going to get there. It will show up.

Speaker 9 (41:16):
And the items.

Speaker 7 (41:17):
I mean they vary as low as three dollars correct,
So I mean you're these are not high end.

Speaker 1 (41:22):
I know, these were very budget friendly. Like I think
what I ordered, if I remember correctly, I got bedding
like comforter sheets, garbage cans like for a bedroom or
what have you in like a wall clock or something
like that. Stuff that's practical everyday use. And that was
enough to you know, it makes a difference. So it

(41:44):
doesn't have to be Yeah, it doesn't have to be
like something from a really expensive, upscale place or anything
like that. I mean, these are basic everyday needs, so
it's wonderful that you provide options for that depending on
the budget too.

Speaker 6 (42:00):
It was so it was every warning just to see
them shop basically and take what they wanted. And you know,
there's a couple of guys, and we still have the
one guy's things in the storage when he's ready to discharge.

Speaker 1 (42:10):
But so that's how you set it up. You set
it up kind of like a little retail setting, and
you just let them go through and fill a cart.

Speaker 7 (42:17):
We had six or seven large boxes that we let
them pick. Yes, they all got their little Christmas goodie
bag and then the rest We displayed one full set
so they would understand what each veteran gets, and that
every household item you can think of from your bedroom,
in your bathroom, your living room, your kitchen area. And

(42:38):
we showed them this is what you get when you leave.

Speaker 9 (42:40):
And then we let the two gentlemen that.

Speaker 7 (42:42):
Were there that were getting ready to graduate the program
pick whatever items they wanted that day, with the understanding
that the rest was to be delivered to them.

Speaker 1 (42:51):
That's awesome good. I kind of wondered how that went.
I was like, is this like passing out Christmas presents
or what? So that's also kind of cool that again,
it lends dignity to the process that they can kind
of walk around and choose what they think they need,
rather than having somebody just give them something and saying
you need this, Because maybe not everybody feels that way.

Speaker 9 (43:12):
James went door to door delivering some of the goodies.

Speaker 1 (43:17):
I believe that I'm going to say, for reference, since
you can't always see through the radio, how tall are
you Sarge a half? Yeah, so you can imagine if
you're six four, you probably don't have a size seven hat.

(43:39):
I was going to say you were that guy that
they probably always had your hat size at the PX
pretty much.

Speaker 7 (43:46):
Much because the ones who were shy and necessarily didn't
want to come out to participate, we just knocked on
their doors, graciously, gave them a little goodie.

Speaker 9 (43:55):
Bag and let them go back to, you know, living
in private.

Speaker 7 (43:57):
And we did tell them, you know, when we leave,
there's plenty of goodies in the community room.

Speaker 1 (44:02):
Help yourself nice with.

Speaker 9 (44:04):
No pressure of guest visitors.

Speaker 1 (44:06):
Yeah. Absolutely, that's nice too that you made it kind
of a no pressure type of thing. It's just we
want to love Anya. If you don't want that, that's cool,
you can get it later.

Speaker 2 (44:17):
They definitely mastered a craft in the saying of it's
a hand up not a handout, cract and with that,
like I said, I watched the guys and how they're
scoping us out, like they're just skeptical, snarling in the beginning.
An hour and a half later, like trickling down to
the community room, like seeing the child, seeing the items,

(44:37):
and like all singing, I'm in a whole conversation.

Speaker 3 (44:40):
For thirty minutes with one of them. Your army, right,
you wreak of it?

Speaker 5 (44:43):
I guess, Oh.

Speaker 1 (44:44):
Yeah, that like rolled out the red carpet is probably
like therapy I would imagine for some of them. But
I would also I mean, I can't empathize with being homeless.
I've never been homeless in that sense of the word.
I've been displaced in my life, but I've never been homeless.
But I would think too, that you are having to
kind of break down some barriers because I would imagine

(45:07):
that being in that situation, there are people who maybe
take advantage or mistreat them, or you know, things usually
come with strings attached. So it's really wonderful to know
that none of those caveats exist with this program, that
this is genuinely just a you know, let us love
on you, let us appreciate you, and let us help

(45:29):
you have a successful transition. I think that's really important
for people to see because at the end of the day, really,
I mean, anytime you go through something hard, sometimes people
just need somebody to walk alongside them. They don't need
somebody to lecture them or you know, to mistreat them
or you know, admonish them. They just need someone to
walk alongside them. And that's it. And so that's what

(45:53):
you guys are doing through this program. I mean, you
just walk alongside them and you provide it if they
want it, to take it or leave it is that's wonderful.
It's great too to give people a choice, definitely.

Speaker 7 (46:04):
And we had some good media press that came that day,
local newspaper, We had the local media from the Wink
News Florida Weekly, and they all did some nice articles.

Speaker 9 (46:18):
And we've had.

Speaker 1 (46:18):
A lot of calls come from those wonderful right about it.

Speaker 7 (46:21):
Wanted to know how to get involved or what they
could do just to donate something. One of the biggest
pushes for the nonprofit too is we had a lot
of people wanting to donate money, and I was like,
we can't take cash. Yeah, so can you donate in
the other forms? Can you donating gift cards? Can you
donate your time? Can you purchase off the Amazon Store?

Speaker 1 (46:43):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (46:43):
Exactly.

Speaker 7 (46:44):
So that was another big push because people really wanted
to just give money because they didn't have the time
to shop or they didn't you know, know really what
people needed, but they wanted to support in some way.

Speaker 3 (46:56):
Awesome.

Speaker 2 (46:56):
I mean again, guy, I love the fact that we
have ourmmunity supporting our veterans in after life of them
supporting our country.

Speaker 6 (47:11):
Now they know the veterans definitely deserve much more than
what we can ever possibly do for them. I mean,
they gave up their freedom to make sure we kept
our freedom, you know, and he went out there and
fought these wars and so forth, and with the industry
that we're in. I can't necessarily speak for Shanna, but
I'm sure she's come across it. I had a veteran

(47:31):
that was living in one of my communities and all
he wanted to do was die because it was such
horrible memories. So we need to make sure they have
positive when they come back, and absolutely and do things
for them.

Speaker 1 (47:44):
Yes, we definitely need to love on them, especially specific
generations of our military. The one I think of obviously
as Vietnam era veterans. They were not well loved and
cared for when they came home, and all they did
was what their country asked of them. So I agree
that there is definitely some atonement needed with them. And

(48:05):
that's that's what you guys are doing. You're setting about
the work of setting things right and restoring hoped people
and restoring dignity to people. And that's that's a huge deal.
Like that's something that we honestly want to see more
of in this world. So we're just so proud to
have you as part of the rally Point community and
that we're going to get to hear from you every

(48:27):
month on new developments, new events. In the meantime, if
people want to contact you directly, if they still have
questions after hearing the segment today, how can they get
a hold of you? How how is it best for
them to contact you?

Speaker 7 (48:44):
I mean for me that you can call, you can text,
you can email, it doesn't matter to me.

Speaker 1 (48:49):
Do you mind sharing?

Speaker 7 (48:50):
It is nine four one two one four zero two
five eight, and then email is s Willis are ah
swfl dot com. That's the acronym for right at Home
Southwest Florida Outstanding.

Speaker 6 (49:08):
They can call me. My phone number is nine four
one three nine one one zero eight eight that can
you can also text on that or my email is
case Spencer twenty five at Brookdale dot com.

Speaker 1 (49:20):
Awesome, Well, thank you so much for being on the show.
We're excited to have you as a regular segment and
so we'll come up with a catchy name for this
segment to be determined. But SHAWNA. Willis and Kim Spencer,
thank you again. For being on the show. And here's
to more great and wonderful things that you all are
doing for veterans in our community.

Speaker 3 (49:41):
Welcome to Welcome to the Rallypoint family.

Speaker 7 (49:44):
Thank you, thank you, and anything else if again, I
do think so, just thanks to our sponsors, Thanks to
one hundred point nine w CCF FM.

Speaker 1 (49:54):
Thank you to Reach Across America Radio as well for
having us on their radio broadcasts. Appreciate all the opportunities
to put visibility on organizations that are veteran centric. You
don't have to be a veteran to listen to this
show or to be on this show. If you support us,
if you love us, so just thanks and please continue

(50:14):
telling people about our show and how they can listen,
whether it's locally in Southwest Florida on one hundred point
nine FM or on the free iHeartRadio app. If they
pull that up and they search WCCF on Fridays at
nine am, they can find our show. And then also
we are aired on Reats Across America Radio on Fridays

(50:36):
at three pm, so you can find both Reese Across
America Radio and WCCF via the iHeartRadio app. Rally Pointers
fall Out I Am Staff Starsgan Mark, Athony Matri Staft
Stars and the Samantha Taps Staff Sergeant at Daft Stars
and William Lewis. And I am proud to defend my
family and our nation.

Speaker 5 (50:55):
The Air Force Reserve is part of the story of
this great nature.

Speaker 4 (50:59):
Grateful that I have to wear the uniform of the
heroes that we before me.

Speaker 9 (51:02):
I am proud to be part of a team that
helps make a difference.

Speaker 5 (51:04):
In the world. Every day, men and women from communities
across this nation serve as Reserve citizen airmen. Even as
technology evolves and changes, our commitment to defend and protect
this nation remains steadfast. We celebrate those who have served
and those who are proudly serving. We celebrate our proud

(51:27):
history and look towards an exciting and uniting future. Our
mission is to fly, fight and win in air space
and cyberspace.

Speaker 3 (51:38):
And I'm proud to be a member.

Speaker 1 (51:39):
And I'm proud to serve in the United and I
am proud to protect our country.

Speaker 5 (51:42):
Proud to serve in the US Air Force Reserve. Affpreserve
dot com. Our veterans risked it all to protect our freedom.
One of the best ways to say thank you is
to volunteer to support them at a time and history
where kindness is a virtue. Volunteering at a therapy bag event,
teaching a craft class, or simply helping veterans at a

(52:04):
hospital means a lot. For over forty seven years, Help
Heal Veterans are not for profit organization, with the support
of citizens like you, has created, manufactured and distributed therapeutic art.

Speaker 6 (52:17):
And crafts projects for our veterans and military at no
charge to them.

Speaker 5 (52:22):
As a National Veteran service organization, Help Heal Veterans supports
VA hospitals, patients at home, and our active military. Together,
Help Heal Veterans and volunteers like you have.

Speaker 4 (52:34):
Delivered over thirty two million therapy kits to injured and
recovering veterans.

Speaker 5 (52:39):
To volunteer or learn more, visit heel vets dot org.
That's heel vets dot org.