By the end of August 2009, SoldierSocks had shipped over 1,500 pounds of supplies to Sgt. Major Converse’s unit.
In November 2009, the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show teamed up with SoldierSocks and first pushed the organization onto the national scene, helping to collect more than 12,000 pairs of socks and 2,500 pounds of additional supplies.
In the fall of 2010, SoldierSocks first broadened its reach through the SoldierSanta initiative, an effort to send gifts to troops overseas during the holiday season.
By May 2011, SoldierSocks had shipped more than 30,000 pounds of basic necessities to troops in Afghanistan.
May also saw the organization recognized with the President’s Call to Service Award.
In July 2012, SoldierSocks expanded its efforts again by launching the SoldierScholar program to provide academic scholarships to veterans at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
The organization’s mission expanded once again in 2013 to focus on donating revolutionary medical technologies to Veterans Affairs medical facilities and individual veterans across the country.
In December 2013, SoldierSocks donated its first wearable robotic exoskeleton, also known as a SoldierSuit, to paralyzed Army veteran Sgt. Dan Rose.
United Rentals first became a major corporate sponsor – a partnership lasting up to today.
In July, FOX News Channel’s Martha MacCallum provided coverage on SoldierSocks, raising $140,000 from viewers in the process.
In February, SoldierSocks began a partnership with Myomo to supply paralyzed veterans with the MyoPro powered arm brace
SoldierStrong was honored at the Yankees/Red Sox Game at Fenway Park in September and the Cubs/Brewers Game at Wrigley Field in October.
SoldierStrong received on-field recognition and was honored at select NFL Salute to Service Games throughout November.
In September, United Rentals launched the Turns For Troops initiative, which donates $50 for every lap that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Graham Rahal completes in the NTT IndyCar Series season.
David Letterman demonstrated his continued support for SoldierStrong by making a cameo appearance at the annual gala in October.
In November 2017, SoldierStrong launched a new undergraduate SoldierScholar scholarship at the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University specifically for female veterans in the STEM fields.
In June, SoldierStrong Advisory Board member Martha MacCallum and co-founder/chairman Chris Meek testified in front of Congress about the use of revolutionary medical technologies, like those SoldierStrong provides, to improve the lives of veterans.
NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach headlined a SoldierStrong event in Dallas in April.
Also in April, Sgt. Dan Rose threw out the first pitch at an Arizona Diamondbacks/New York Yankees game while wearing the SoldierSuit.
In July, SoldierStrong announced a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat post-traumatic stress through the donation of BraveMind virtual reality systems.
SoldierStrong donated its first BraveMind system in September to the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center. By the end of the year, the organization had donated 10 BraveMind systems.
In February, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie announced SoldierStrong Chairman Chris Meek had been selected to serve on the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide task force.
SoldierStrong partnered with the U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the NBA to raise awareness throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
SoldierStrong, in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies, received the “Game Changer” award at The American Council for Technology-Industry Advisory Council’s (ACT-IAC) Igniting Innovation Conference in October for their work on BraveMind.
In May, SoldierStrong announced a partnership with Dean Kamen and the launch of the Operation Mobility Tour to donate iBOT ® Personal Mobility Devices to veterans across the country.
The Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation hosted the first annual Vino For Vets wine experience in Napa Valley in October to benefit SoldierStrong.
In November, SoldierStrong announced a partnership with Penumbra, Inc. to donate the REAL System to VA medical facilities.
SoldierStrong Ambassador Johnnie Williams was highlighted at a Dallas Mavericks Game wearing the SoldierSuit in February.
In April, SoldierStrong Ambassador Bryce Cherryholmes was highlighted wearing the SoldierSuit for the national anthem at an Orlando Magic Game.
In 2022, SoldierStrong completed its 20th donation of a BraveMind system.
2023 was a year of major milestones for the organization: SoldierStrong donated its 30th SoldierSuit and 30th BraveMind system, surpassed $5.5 million in donations made of revolutionary medical technologies and more than $500,000 awarded in scholarships to over 30 veterans to date.
SoldierStrong was named a second place winner in Mission Daybreak, a $20 million U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grand challenge to reduce Veteran suicides and, in partnership with USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies, received a $1.25 million reward for their work on Battle Buddy.
In November, SoldierStrong and USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies were honored by VA Secretary Dennis McDonough for the Battle Buddy app at the 2023 VHA Innovation Experience.
Support SoldierStrong Today!
Your donation holds the power to catalyze change. By donating to SoldierStrong in honor of our 15th anniversary, you become a partner in our mission to help better the lives of veterans and help them take their next steps forward in life after service.
As a thank you, when you make a recurring donation of $15/per month or more from now until the end of the year in honor of SoldierStrong’s 15th anniversary, you’ll receive a special fleece SoldierStrong blanket. Join us now by scanning the QR code to make a difference.
