By Cindy Gladden Record Staff Writer Two charitable organizations were recognized during the 14th annual Prayer Breakfast held at the St. Ignatius Community Center Wednesday, Feb. 11. Each year the …
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Marine Foundation visits annual prayer breakfast
Posted
By Cindy GladdenRecord Staff WriterTwo charitable organizations were recognized during the 14th annual Prayer Breakfast held at the St. Ignatius Community Center Wednesday, Feb. 11.Each year the prayer breakfast, sponsored by the Marthasville Area Chamber of Commerce and Boone area clergy, raises money for the Washington Overseas Mission to Honduras. Proceeds this year totaled $850.This year the program also featured the FOCUS Marines Foundation, which serves wounded warriors at a nearby private facility.Tom Ilges, transportation director for the organization and a retired Marine, gave an overview of the important work being done locally to help Marines transition from life in the military to fulfilling civilian lives. The foundation was formed and funded by retired Marines in 2009.Four times a year, a group of nearly 40 Marines gather from all over the United States at a secluded farm near Augusta for a week-long retreat.“They are given the tools to achieve their dreams,” said Ilges. “Their skills and interests are evaluated, they meet with human resource (HR) professionals, and a mentoring process is developed for each Marine.”Ilges said many of the Marines who attend are facing serious challenges from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and inability to re-enter civilian life.Only three of 156 workers are paid employees at the center. The rest are volunteers. Ilges said of the $600,000 it takes to run the foundation each year, less than 7 percent is spent on administrative costs. Donations and volunteer hours are critical to the camp’s operation.“We provide a sanctuary. It’s as simple as that,” said Ilges. “It’s not the week, it’s what’s after the week that’s important.”Most Marines don’t have the skills to enter the civilian job market, according to Ilges. They finish high school and immediately enlist, then learn critical skills to defend our country.“They have never written a resume. They have never had a job interview,” he said.For the first three days of the camp the focus is on the heart, soul and mind. It is the goal of the staff, Marines themselves, to help rebuild pride and excitement for life. Ilges said no alcohol, parties or violent video games are allowed during the week.“The last two days we focus on business,” said Ilges. “We give them each a laptop with our information on it and teach them how to use it. They work with HR people and go through three interviews with critiques.”Crisis intervention is a critical function of the foundation.“Suicide is on the minds of many Marines,” said Ilges. “They think their family would be better without them. We confront it head-on. There has only been one suicide of the dozens that have come in with a plan of suicide.”The FOCUS Marines Foundation introduces the men and women to equestrian therapy, canine rehabilitation, yoga, massage and other therapeutic activities.The area Quilts of Valor organization has become a partner of the FOCUS organization. Each Marine is presented with a hand-quilted blanket during their stay at the camp.“We’re big and tough, but it brings tears to the eyes of Marines for that blanket,” said Ilges.He said it is a physically and emotionally exhausting week for the organizers, but they can’t wait for the next camp to begin.There are many ways local people can help the foundation. Ilges suggests interested people go to its website at www.focusmarinesfoundation.org to fill out an application to volunteer or to make a donation.
Tom Illges, transportation director for the FOCUS Marine Foundation and retired Marine, provided an overview of the work being done locally to help Marines transition from life in the military to fulfilling civilian lives. The foundation was formed and funded by retired Marines in 2009. Cindy Gladden photo.
