In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we are donating 20% of today’s online sales to an organization steering hundreds of Navy SEALs and men and women in the U.S. Special Forces community to fulfilling careers after their military service comes to a close.
The Honor Foundation, a national non-profit, offers a rare proposition to veterans: lifelong one-on-one assistance. Applicants are thoroughly vetted, selected and assessed. Through three distinct phases, veterans learn to transpose their military-specific skillset to the civilian world while researching potential landing spots and building a network of contacts in the process.
The organization, which is just five years old, has already totaled more than 500 graduates.
“Team Wendy is privileged to work alongside our nation’s military and we’re deeply committed to causes that benefit them,” said Team Wendy CEO Jose Rizo-Patron. “The sad truth is that some of the people our country relies on the most find the transition into the private sector particularly challenging. This organization ensures they continue to get the most out of their exceptional talents.
“Everyone at Team Wendy takes pride in standing alongside The Honor Foundation in this pursuit,” he added.
The Honor Foundation boasts three campuses – San Diego, Virginia Beach and Camp Lejeune – plus a digital campus. More than 100 employers have come on board as ongoing partners and a network of executives – now totaling more than 5,000 – will continue to grow and open doors for these specialized veterans.
The American Enterprise Institute recently reported that only 38% of employers believe skills veterans acquire in the military are easily transferable to the private sector. This is improving for the better; however, continuing to educate employers on the very real benefits of hiring veterans must be a priority moving forward.
Last year on Giving Tuesday the nation raised than $380 million for charitable causes. This is the first year The Honor Foundation has been selected as Team Wendy’s beneficiary on the benevolent holiday.