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How to Help Keep our Drill Bits Spinning

One of the most common questions we get at The Mission Continues is this: what can I do to help?

There’s a few ways. The first is to join us through our two programs (and recently we opened up our service platoons to non-veterans).

But just as vital: we need to keep the lights on, and drill bits spinning, for our work to flourish. A lot of that support comes from individuals who want to see how far we can take this idea of continued service and inspiring future generations to join us.

Click on the image, enter the promo code CONTINUES and you’ll get $20 off. Score!

That’s why we team up with organizations to help fund our programs. A big way these days is through athletic events.

Since 2013, we’ve hosted Team Mission Continues at the Marine Corps Marathon. We have 53 runners in late training mode for next month’s race, and so far they’ve raised nearly $40,000. That’s about halfway to our goal of $100,000 to help strengthen our programs, so consider dropping in a few bucks and sharing across social media.

And if you’re in the St. Louis area, we’d love to see you come out for the Battlegrounds Mud Run at Cedar Lake on Saturday October 3. The Battlegrounds is throwing down with two races, more than 30 obstacles and enough mud to fill more than a few kiddie pools. And if you sign up through us using the code CONTINUES, you’ll get $20 off.

If you can’t join us for the Battlegrounds run, we hope to see you cheering on our team in DC for the marathon, or contributing to their success through a generous donation.

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Reporting for Duty at Democracy Prep

September 18, 2015

The DC Service Platoons banded together on Friday, September 11, 2015 for a day of service at Democracy Prep, a high impact charter school in Southeast DC. With the help of Democracy Prep students, parents and local police officers, volunteers revitalized a learning garden, painted the school crest and helped renovate the school’s exterior.

Continue reading “Reporting for Duty at Democracy Prep”

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Veterans Build a New Generation of Service On 9/11

September 16, 2015

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Fourteen years have come and gone since September 11, 2001, and for many the memory of that day will forever be defined by the sights and sounds of Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. But in reflecting on the day, we also remember what has come after: sacrifice and continued service.

Five million Americans have served since fall of 2001. Each of their lives were transformed in countless ways by military action worldwide.

In continuing that call to action, our service platoons gathered in New York, Washington, DC, Dallas, Seattle and ten other cities to take part of the National Day of Service.

Platoon members filling dumpsters with debris from Ft. Wadsworth, September 12, 2015.
New York platoon members filling dumpsters with debris from Ft. Wadsworth, September 12, 2015.
Platoon members construct benches at Ft. Wadsworth, September 11, 2015.
New York platoon members construct benches at Ft. Wadsworth, September 11, 2015.

In New York, our local service platoons formed up within view of One World Trade Center to help restore areas of Ft. Wadsworth, a vital piece of U.S. military history, for a two-day project.

In collaboration with the National Park Service and a crew from Team Rubicon, our veteran volunteers removed more than 15 tons of debris and restored a camping area, which will make the historical site more welcoming for visitors in the months and years to come.

New York platoon members haul debris to dumpsters at Ft. Wadsworth, September 12, 2015.
New York platoon members haul debris to dumpsters at Ft. Wadsworth, September 12, 2015.
New York platoon members pose with a historic sign uncovered at Ft. Wadsworth, September 12, 2015.
New York platoon members pose with a historic sign uncovered at Ft. Wadsworth, September 12, 2015.

At our DC project, more than 80 volunteers, including motivated Wounded Warrior Project Alums and staff, gathered at a charter school and revitalized a learning garden for kids, painted a school crest and helped renovate the school exterior.

Kids and volunteers gather to paint, September 11, 2015. Photo credit: GREG CALLAN, DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Kids and volunteers from Washington, DC service platoons gather to paint. Photo credit: GREG CALLAN,DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Washington, DC platoon members restore the school's exterior, September 11, 2015. GREG CALLAN, DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLSWashington, DC platoon members restore the school’s exterior, September 11, 2015. GREG CALLAN, DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Volunteers carry wood at Democracy Prep in Washington, DC, September 11, 2015. Photo credit: GREG CALLAN, DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLSVolunteers carry wood at Democracy Prep in Washington, DC, September 11, 2015. Photo credit: GREG CALLAN, DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The anniversary was significant, and in more ways than some might think. As the projects continued, veterans reflected on how the work they were doing was going to impact tomorrow, not so much about the wars and military experience behind them. A new generation is waiting to take the reins, and the work of our platoons ensures they will know what it means to serve.

Looking to serve your community and inspire the next generation of leaders? Sign up for a service platoon in your area.

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Forging a Spirit of Service

September 10, 2015

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Tomorrow, in between moments of personal reflection, teams of community members across the country will assemble to pay tribute on a pivotal day in our history – by getting to work. Dozens of Mission Continues Service Platoons will be in action through the weekend, answering a call to serve that – for many – began 14 years ago.

In New York, with lower Manhattan visible in the distance, volunteers will help restore Fort Wadsworth, a military post that predates our nation’s independence. In Seattle, the team will prepare a new outdoor therapy space for residents of a long-term care facility for veterans. On Saturday, in Houston, platoon members and community volunteers will build a new library, computer room and community garden for a charter school. In Jacksonville, the platoon will revitalize a facility for young men and women fleeing poverty and abuse—and who are seeking a fresh start. And there are many more.

It’s not too late to volunteer with a team. A full list of events is available on our website.

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Raising a Garden in Baltimore

September 4, 2015

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The Baltimore 1st Service Platoon deployed to Baltimore City Urban Farm this past weekend to help prepare them for the fall harvest. Leading the detachment of volunteers from The Mission Continues was Leslie Premo, U.S. Army veteran and service platoon leader, who had this to say about the project:

“I have done a lot of volunteering for many different groups but today I’m especially proud to serve my fellow veterans. While working on a community farm in East Baltimore I was honored to hear stories of how different veteran’s groups have effected lives.

Continue reading “Raising a Garden in Baltimore”