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The Independence Fund

@independencefund

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The Independence Fund is dedicated to providing Independence to our Nation's Veterans, their families, and our wartime Allies.

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Their service together created a brotherhood that has become a lifelong source of support.
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These three Navy Corpsmen served with 2/3 Marines and have developed a real bond that has continued to grow over the years. It has now extended to their families, with the kids all considering each other cousins.
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Their friendship perfectly illustrates why connection is at the heart of Operation Resilience at The Independence Fund. The program works by bringing together combat units that have all experienced the same trauma, enabling the Veterans to build relationships with people who understand what they've been through and who they can go to when things get tough.
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Those bonds can be absolutely critical to mental health and in the prevention of suicide. Having someone to call, talk to openly, and lean on for years after service ends.
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Support Operation Resilience and help more Veterans reconnect with those who served beside them and enjoy the same opportunities as these amazing Corpsmen: independencefund.org
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#TheIndependenceFund #OperationResilience #BondsOfBrotherhood #SuicidePrevention by @independencefund

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2 days ago

Since Veterans have already given so much to defend the country, they shouldn't have to worry about how they're going to pay for the next meal for their families. And as Thanksgiving nears, that means there must be a turkey available at the table.
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On Thursday, 19th November 2026, Feeding Independence will be giving out turkeys to veterans in need at the South Charlotte VA Clinic between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
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Sign-up is currently open on Eventbrite! Click the link in our bio to register! If you are a Veteran who requires assistance this Thanksgiving, then you should register. You have served our country; it's now our turn to look after you.
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The Independence Fund, via its Feeding Independence program, supplies Veterans and their families with groceries, fresh produce, personal hygiene products, and essential household items to help them meet their daily needs.
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More than 14,000 food and supply donations have been distributed by Feeding Independence to heroes all over the country since 2021. With each box given, there is an opportunity to alleviate a concern, extend a household's budget, and serve as a reminder to someone who has served that their community is with them.
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Our partners and volunteers showed that commitment by packing up the supplies, loading the vehicles, and welcoming Veterans together with their families at our drive-thru events.
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#TheIndependenceFund #FeedingIndependence #BeAHeroForAHero #VeteranSupport #FoodSecurity by @independencefund

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4 days ago

Time to laugh together. Room to breathe. A chance to connect with families who understand what you've been through, no explanation needed. That’s what our Family Program makes possible.
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When a Veteran is catastrophically wounded, the entire family’s life changes. Loved ones take on responsibilities that often go unseen, from becoming Caregivers, to adjusting to entirely new routines and lifestyles. As families support their Veteran’s recovery, they need care and support, too.
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Through The Independence Fund’s Family Program, we provide retreats that give Veterans and their families time to step away from daily demands and focus on one another. Together, they build friendships rooted in a shared understanding of service and sacrifice, strengthen the bonds that carry them through difficult days, and create new memories.
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Every retreat reminds these families that a community stands behind them.
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#TheIndependenceFund #FamilyRetreat #VeteranFamilies #FamilySupport #BeAHeroForAHero by @independencefund

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8 days ago

Hurricane Isaias is heading towards the Gulf Coast and will cause damaging winds, flooding, and extensive power outages. Evacuation orders are currently in place for tourists in certain areas of coastal Alabama and parts of Florida. Veterans and caregivers in communities affected by the hurricane should follow local emergency instructions immediately and ensure access to essential medical care.

If you use electricity for your oxygen concentrators, ventilators, powered wheelchairs, or other medical equipment, contact both your healthcare provider and your equipment supplier now to confirm your emergency plan.

The Independence Fund’s Casework team can help you and answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, here is what you can do:

• Make sure that access to the backup oxygen or to compatible backup batteries is confirmed and ensure that all essential equipment, batteries, and phones are charged.
• Keep medications, medical supplies, chargers, and your provider’s contact information in one place and ready to take with you.
• Contact your local emergency management office if you need transportation or shelter.
• Obey the evacuation orders and use the official local instructions to travel safely.
• If a power failure puts your health at risk in an immediate way or if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

If you want the latest information on Alabama, you can go to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and also follow the emergency officials from your county.

#TheIndependenceFund #Veterans #Caregivers #HurricaneSafety

@mobilecountyema, @nwsmobile @baldwinemc by @independencefund

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9 days ago

Restoring independence to a Veteran can mean everything to them, their families, and their communities.
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For Navy Veteran William Biringer, his trackchair means the freedom to get outdoors again and enjoy hunting independently. For his father, it means seeing his son regain confidence after sacrificing so much for our nation.
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That is the impact of our Mobility Program. Each all-terrain trackchair helps open paths back to places and activities that matter to the Veterans we serve. Behind each moment is a family that knows how much it means. Help us open more of those paths for more Veterans by donating today at independencefund.org.
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We’re honored to be part of William’s journey and to help our nation’s warfighters experience the freedom and independence they fought to preserve for everyone else.
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#TheIndependenceFund #Mobility #Independence #NavyVeteran #AllTerrainTrackchair by @independencefund

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9 days ago

When a Veteran is in crisis, the first response can shape what happens next.
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Through The Independence Fund’s Veterans Justice Initiative (VJI), law enforcement officers and other First Responders receive training to better recognize when a Veteran may be experiencing a mental health crisis and respond with tools that support de-escalation, safety, and connection to appropriate resources.
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From the initial 911 call through an officer’s first contact, that preparation can help First Responders better understand the experiences a Veteran may carry and navigate complex situations with greater awareness.
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VJI also works directly with Veterans who become involved in the justice system, providing casework assistance and helping connect them with mental health care and other available resources.
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This work is happening now, in communities where Veterans and First Responders may encounter one another on some of the most difficult days of their lives. Expanding access to training and support can help create more opportunities for those interactions to lead to the right resources and a path forward.
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Help The Independence Fund equip more First Responders and support more Veterans through the Veterans Justice Initiative.
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#TheIndependenceFund #Veterans #FirstResponders #VeteransJusticeInitiative Group of people in uniforms seated at tables in a classroom. by @independencefund

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12 days ago

An all-terrain trackchair is more than a way to navigate dirt, mud, snow, or uneven ground. For a Veteran living with serious injuries, it can mean returning to the places, activities, and everyday moments that matter most.
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Through its Mobility Program, The Independence Fund provides customized trackchairs that help Veterans access places traditional wheelchairs cannot. That may mean working around their property, fishing at a favorite spot, spending more time outdoors with family, or helping with daily tasks at home.
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Each trackchair is tailored to the Veteran’s individual needs, with available features such as hitches, snowplows, and other tools that can support greater independence.
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After a life-changing injury, familiar places and routines can suddenly feel out of reach. A trackchair helps restore something simple but powerful: the freedom to decide where to go, what to do, and how to participate.
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That is why mobility matters.
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Every Veteran deserves the opportunity to keep doing what they love without unnecessary barriers or delays. Help The Independence Fund provide independence to the next Veteran waiting for a trackchair.
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@checkershockey @thetrackchair
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#TheIndependenceFund #Mobility #trackchair #BeAHeroForAHero by @independencefund

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13 days ago

Through the TIF Tactical program, The Independence Fund proudly sponsored U.S. Army Veteran Jason Smith as he competed at the 2026 IPL Olympia Pro Powerlifting Championship this week.
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Jason arrived with two goals: win an Olympia title and set a new world record in the 82.5 kg Masters 40–44 division. He accomplished both.
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A double amputee and trackchair recipient through our Mobility Program, Jason competed alongside lifters without disabilities and claimed the title while setting a new world record.
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In bench press, leg drive provides critical power and stability. Jason competes without that advantage, using a strap for stability on the bench. He also has limited function in his left hand, with only his thumb and index finger fully functional.
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Through TIF Tactical, The Independence Fund helps Veterans access the outdoors, participate in sporting events, and pursue activities and goals that may have once seemed out of reach.
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Congratulations, Jason, on an incredible performance and a well-earned title!
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@uspapower
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#TheIndependenceFund #Veterans #DoubleAmputee #USPA #TIFTactical by @independencefund

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15 days ago

This Suicide Prevention Month, you may see a new number used to describe the Veteran suicide crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 6,398 Veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 each day.
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That number is important, but it should not be mistaken for evidence that this crisis has meaningfully changed.
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From 2013 through 2023, America lost 71,894 Veterans to suicide: an average of approximately 6,536 lives each year. And while the total number of deaths declined slightly in 2023, the overall average suicide rate among Veterans actually increased for that 10-year span.
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For The Independence Fund, the focus is not whether the daily average is described as 17, 18, or 22. The reality is that thousands of Veterans continue to die by suicide year after year, and far more work remains.
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Through Operation Resilience, The Independence Fund is working to change that reality by reconnecting Veterans who served in combat together. The program rebuilds trusted peer networks, creates space for honest conversations, strengthens connection, and connects Veterans with resources and continued support.
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Veterans who have participated in Operation Resilience have shared how reconnecting with their brothers and sisters changed their lives. The bonds forged in service do not have to end when the uniform comes off. They can remain a source of strength, support, and connection for years to come.
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The challenge now is scale. More units need to be reunited. More Veterans need to be brought back into communities of support. And proven approaches that strengthen the protective factors associated with suicide prevention need the resources to reach more of the Veterans who need them.
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Learn more about Operation Resilience and help reunite the next unit at independencefund.org.
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If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, call 988 and press 1, or text 838255 for free, confidential support 24/7.
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#TheIndependenceFund #OperationResilience #VeteranSuicidePrevention #SuicidePreventionMonth by @independencefund

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18 days ago

Last weekend, wounded hero and Navy Veteran Bob Livingston received an all-terrain trackchair from The Independence Fund, made possible by the generosity of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. His wife, daughter, and son-in-law were there to celebrate him and the bright possibilities ahead.
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For Bob, this trackchair opens more paths to the outdoors and more opportunities to make lasting memories with the people he loves. For his family, it was a chance to rally around the husband and father who means so much to them.
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That’s why our mission extends to the whole family. Every step toward greater independence is a victory worth celebrating together.
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Bob, we’re honored to see you go farther with the freedom and independence you deserve. Here’s to exploring new terrain and enjoying even more time outdoors with your family!
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#TheIndependenceFund #KappaAlpha #Mobility #NavyVeteran #AllTerrainTrackchair #Independence by @independencefund

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20 days ago

Today, we recognize Amanda Riggan, Founder, CEO, and Executive Director of Hungry Heroes, and her team for their steadfast support of The Independence Fund. At our Feeding Independence events, they serve hot meals to hundreds of Veterans and create a welcoming place for connection, community, and camaraderie.
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Their generosity helps us meet Veterans where they are and work toward a future without food insecurity. Amanda and her team are proud to serve hot barbecue to the brave men and women who have served our country, and we are deeply grateful to have them as a partner.
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Amanda and the Hungry Heroes team, thank you for bringing your time, your heart, and your commitment to every meal. We value having you beside us as we serve those who served.
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#PartnerHighlight #HungryHeroes #TheIndependenceFund #FeedingIndependence #ServingThoseWhoServed
@hungryheroesserves by @independencefund

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22 days ago

This week, SFC Sean Michael Lee was laid to rest. He was a proud paratrooper of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, a warfighter, and a longtime friend and supporter of The Independence Fund.
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Sean dedicated more than 20 years of his life to serving our Nation in the United States Army, including multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His commitment to service continued long after he left the battlefield. He remained deeply connected to the Veteran community and was someone who could be counted on to show up when others needed him.
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On Tuesday, that same spirit of service and community was reflected in the many people who came together to honor his life.
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The Independence Fund extends its sincere gratitude to Weddington Methodist Church, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the many friends, Veterans, community members, and supporters who helped give Sean a fitting farewell.
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Sean’s life was defined by service, loyalty, and an enduring commitment to those around him. His legacy will live on through the people he served alongside, the communities he supported, and the lives he touched.
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Rest easy, Sean. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
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#InMemoryOfSeanMichaelLee #82ndAirborne #ArmyVeteran #HonorAndRemember #TheIndependenceFund by @independencefund

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23 days ago