Our next Team TMF Spotlight is on Bill Jack, Volunteer Liaison and Mount Vernon, ME resident. He’s incredibly grateful to serve our nation’s recalibrated veterans by working on the programming team since May, and more recently, working alongside our selfless volunteers. We asked him >>>
What do you do at the Foundation?
I started working for the Foundation in May. During these past several months, I have worked the closing shift during programming week during which I help the afternoon and evening activities. In recent weeks, however, my role has changed. My new role keeps one foot in programming while giving me substantially more opportunities to work alongside our selfless volunteers.
Have you done similar work in the past?
My programming duties are pretty similar to my many years working in higher education, admission, financial aid, and scholarships. Yet, my nearly 19 years volunteering for The American Legion Department of Maine has many similarities to my new volunteer liaison position.
Why did you want to work at TMF?
My brother is a Marine Corps veteran. Multiple relatives are veterans. Some relatives are still on Active Duty. Although I chose higher education as my career path out of college, my many years of volunteering for The American Legion Department of Maine has kept me connected to veterans. Living very close to the retreat, I have known about the retreat for years. I jumped at the opportunity to work here when a position opened up last March.
What’s your favorite part of working at TMF?
My favorite thing about working at the Foundation is the volunteers. Their selfless hours of dedication allows us to do all the wonderful things that we do. Without their numerous hours of service every single week, our work would come to a halt. If you are a current volunteer, thank you for all that you do! If you would like to become a volunteer, the application is available on our website!
Do you have a favorite story you’d like to share from your time here?
No one story is my favorite, but it is true that I really enjoy seeing participants connect at the dinner table, over dessert, or at the firepit. They unwind after a fun day of activities. They enjoy each other’s company. They roast s’mores, play games, watch a movie, read a book, or just talk. For too many participants, they do not get much time to relax when they are at home, so for me to witness them doing a whole lot of nothing each evening is pretty cool. It is just what they need.
What is your favorite feature of the Retreat/Travis Mills Foundation/ Warrior PATHH?
My favorite feature is our family program. There are numerous wonderful organizations across the country that support the veteran. Many support the veteran and their spouse. Yet not nearly as many exist where the whole family can be supported.
About the Travis Mills Foundation
The Travis Mills Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports post-911 veterans who experienced life changing injuries while in service to our country. The Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat offers our nation’s recalibrated veterans and their families a week-long, barrier free, all-expenses-paid experience at its world-class retreat in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. It offers various programs that help these brave men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation. The Foundation also offers the Warrior PATHH Program (Progressive & Alternative Training for Helping Heroes) for combat veterans and first responders, the nation’s first of its kind program designed to cultivate and facilitate post-traumatic growth. Learn more >>> www.travismillsofundation.org.