REBOOT Update

Here is what Reboot has been up to these last few months:
We had a Reboot Graduation on April 15th through Zoom. Both leadership and those graduating asked Deb and me to donate money to military folks struggling with food. So, we got in touch with Feeding our Heroes, a food pantry for military and veterans, operating out of the Santa Rosa Mall, and were able to make a $100 donation on behalf of the Reboot staff.

We took a 1-week break then began the Reboot Crisis Edition as a follow-on to keep our participants engaged and active. We have continued to meet each Wednesday since and even had some participants from the Panama City group join us. We realize that Zoom is not the same as meeting in person but are trying to keep in touch and help where we can.

We are excited to announce that two of our participants have gone on to pay it forward. One active duty member is now living in Wyoming and leading young airmen as they work. He spoke at a briefing of over 200 airmen about suicide prevention. He has not talked to anyone to realize how important the conversation is and that sharing his experience can save others from feeling alone. He thanked us for supporting him as his Reboot family and for giving him the courage to share his story.

Our other participant created an Ironman race to raise money for Mission 22. He set a goal of $5,000 and, to date, has raised over $10,000. His race was featured in the newspaper, along with bringing suicide awareness to others. He is looking to partner back with us at Reboot and perhaps does another run sometime again in the future.

Deb and I (Jeanne Racquier), with help from Pastor Brian Dale, put together 500 goodie bags and cards to give to Eglin AFB hospital staff. We got the call late April asking us to help bolster morale during their annual Nurse/Tech/Provider week. The hospital had gone to 12-hour shifts and cut most of its civilian workers due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There were only 500 military members to run all the departments while also taking care of patients. Deb, her daughter Ariel, and I met in my garage to assemble the bags, and I decorated boxes with signs to show our appreciation from Shalimar UMC. We met with 2nd Lt Miller and another airman who helped us deliver the goodie bags to all departments. Not a single military member was left out of our goodwill gesture.