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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with our parent organization, The Fedcap Group, to New York City at Civic Hall – The Bernard Goldstein Center.

Our Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony is an intimate affair bringing together veteran and civilian supporters across all sectors of society to celebrate their commitment to others. Senior military, distinguished guests, corporate benefactors, and friends join to celebrate the hoilidays while at the same time recognizing the passion of several inspiring honorees and their accomplishments.

It was an evening filled with inspiring and uplifting conversations and a chance to celebrate others. While recognizing organizations and individuals working to enhance the lives of veterans and their families.

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Congratulations Vets4Warriors, Brian Hull, Mike Hazard, and Freddie Mac

Congratulations Vets4Warriors, Brian Hull, Mike Hazard, and Freddie Mac

This evening, 10 December, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is recognizing organizations and individuals working to enhance the lives of veterans and their families.

Eugene & Ruth Freedman Leadership Award
The award is named in honor of Eugene and Ruth Freedman, whose lifetime of philanthropy continues through their family foundation and their three children, Penny Freedman, Nancy Remak and Rick Freedman.

This year’s Freedman Leadership Award recipient is Vets4Warriors, in recognition of Vets4Warriors being the nation’s leading 24/7 military peer support program staffed by veterans. They provide immediate, confidential, ongoing support to every member of the US military community, helping before challenges turn into crises.

Vets4Warriors & Rutgers UBHC National Call Center Executive Director, Retired US Army Major General Mark Graham said, “I am truly humbled and honored by this recognition as is our entire team.”

2024 Eugene & Ruth Freedman Leadership Award

Major General Mark Graham accepting the Freedman Award.

Herbert & Carolyn Metzger Service Award
Herb and Carolyn Metzger epitomized service and purpose in one’s community. The 2024 Metzger Award is presented to Dixon Center Command Council member and life-long advocate for making lives of others better, Brian Hull.

Brian’s leadership has made his community and our nation a better place. Dixon Center Chair, David Sutherland, said, “Since day one Brian has been a huge part of Dixon Center’s work as a resource for individuals, organizations, systems, movements, and communities interested in the long-term well-being of veterans and their families”.

When Brian was notified that he is the 2024 Metzger Service Award recipient he said, “The Metzger’s legacy is an inspiration to all those familiar with them and their Foundation. I am truly grateful to have my name mentioned alongside of theirs.”

2024 Herbert & Carolyn Metzger Service Award

Brian Hull receiving the Metzger award for his leadership making his community and our nation a better place for others, including veterans and their families.

Michael “Mick” Yauger Point Man Award
The 2024 Point Man Award is being presented to Mike Hazard, a former Navy rescue swimmer and 4th generation pipefitter. Mike is the national Veterans in Piping program manager and training specialist.

In an Army formation on patrol, the point man takes responsibility for others and assists them as they move through challenging terrain. This award, named for the role and responsibilities displayed by Mick Yauger, recognizes the recipient’s forward leadership in supporting others through challenging times and/or transitions.

According to Dixon Center Vice President Colonel Sam Whitehurst, “Bottom line: Mike Hazard epitomizes the individual characteristics that Mick Yauger spoke of when he discussed the Point Man in an Army formation.”

2024 Michael Yauger 
Point Man Award

Navy Veteran and VIP Executive Director Mike Hazard receiving the award for leading from the front.

Lou Lowenkron Commitment to Veterans Excellence Award
Named in honor of Army Veteran and Dixon Center Advisor/Mentor, Lou Lowenkron, the Lou Lowenkron Commitment to Veterans Excellence Award recognizes an individual or organziation for their support of veterans and their families in higher education, certification, licensing, or training.

The 2024 Lowenkron Award recipient is Freddie Mac.

Freddie Mac is working to reach more veterans in housing markets across the nation and provide them with educational resources and opportunities to gain valuable financial training to improve their credit and better understand the mortgage process.  

When Lou Lowenkron was notified that this year’s award is being presented to Freddie Mac he said, “This Commitment to Veterans Excellence Award touches my heart. It represents the potential of our service members, our veterans and their families, Congratulations to Freddie Mac and the leadership of Freddie Mac’s Senior Vice President, Mission and Community Engagement, Danny Gardner.”

2024 Lou Lowenkron Commitment to Veterans Excellence Award

Danny Gardner receiving the award on behalf of Freddie Mac for bridging the divide between active duty military, veterans and their families and affordable housing.

We congratulate all honorees and thank them for their efforts to enable veterans and military families to succeed where they live.

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Support Our Work on this National Day of Giving

Support Our Work on this National Day of Giving

On this Giving Tuesday, your gift will enable Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to achieve our vision of being the resource of choice for organizations, individuals, and communities from all sectors of society who share our noble purpose: to make the lives of veterans and their families better.

Together, with our partners, we can make a difference and increase impact in communities where veterans and their families live, creating an environment where they can reach their full potential.


Thank you for supporting Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Duncan Milne Interview with iHeart Radio’s Ryan Gorman

Duncan Milne Interview with iHeart Radio’s Ryan Gorman

The Ryan Gorman Show airs weekdays 5-9a ET on NewsRadio WFLA & via the iHeartRadio app. The show features the day’s top trending stories, along with local, state, and national topics — the biggest news of the day, covered in a new way.
 
This Veterans Day, 11/11/24, IHeartRadio published an interview by Ryan of our President, Retired USMC Colonel Duncan Milne, amongst others. 
 
Click here to listen to Duncan’s interview.
 
The takeaways:

  • Duncan discusses the evolving needs of veterans and their families
  • The need for outreach and community connections for veterans
  • Duncan discusses how amazing our veterans and their families are and the positive difference they will make for years to come
  • Duncan shares our work building capacity working with organizations, individuals, movements and communities.

This Thanksgiving we are grateful for our partnership with organizations like IHeartRadio building public awareness, encouraging community involvement, and promoting community-based services enabling our veterans and their families to succeed where they live.

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Your Opinion Has Power: Help Us Build a Stronger Voice for Veterans!

Your Opinion Has Power: Help Us Build a Stronger Voice for Veterans!

Over the last three months through our social media presence, our podcast, Service Before Self, and our E-newsletter, The Bugler, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans has increased our number of followers by 67%, seen a 35% in those who are engaging with our messaging, and increased readership of our e-newsletter, The Bugler, by 29%.

You can help us amplify our message even further by sharing our posts and providing feedback on the stories that we share. Veterans’ stories offer powerful lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. By listening to and sharing these stories, we honor their legacy and support their journeys. 

Together, we can elevate the conversation and make a lasting impact.

Tap In and Dive Deeper
 

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Increase Your Impact at a Crucial Time

Increase Your Impact at a Crucial Time

At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, today is just as significant as yesterday – Veterans Day. Thank you to all of you who heeded our Veterans Day call to reach beyond “thank you for your service.” We encourage you to continue to take action to show your gratitude to those who have served year-round.  

We have entered into our most critical time of the year. Historically, Dixon Center receives 35% of its total annual revenue from Veterans Day to December 31st. 

Here is what we are working on now to ensure we meet our end-of-year giving goals: 

  • Completion of our Veterans Day campaign  

  • Leverage Giving Tuesday. Mark your calendar for December 3rd

  • Holiday Appeal. Be on the look for our mailings

  • Direct solicitations to 20 major donors 

Close four pending foundation grants Our work is only made possible by the generosity of our supporters. For any questions related to making a donation to Dixon Center, please contact Eileen Greenlay, Director of Development, at egreenlay@dixoncenter.org.  

 

 

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Take Action this Upcoming Veterans Day

Take Action this Upcoming Veterans Day

As a citizen, one of the most significant actions you can do to honor the service of our veterans is to exercise your right to vote. If you have not done so yet, get to the polls today. It’s Election Day – Go Vote! Our democracy is only possible because of those who have defended our freedom.  

As the nation prepares to recognize Veterans’ Day this coming Monday, November 11th, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services encourages us all to go above and beyond our words and show our appreciation.  

Along with your vote, other ways you can demonstrate your gratitude to our veterans: 

  • Subscribe to The Bugler, our weekly e-newsletter. Stay informed on the latest happenings.  

On Election Day, on Veterans Day, and every day, Dixon Center stands together to honor the commitment and dedication made by brave men and women and their families who have served our country.

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Voting – Your Right and Your Responsibility

Voting – Your Right and Your Responsibility

Many of our team fought to give people in other countries the right to vote and experience a rule of law. Therefore, this year, in thirteen states we are exercising our right to vote, our duty to vote, and our support and encouragement to others who may think that their vote doesn’t matter. It does!

Our team continues spending time on equitable and just policies. Specifically, advocating and developing veteran policies at the national, state and local levels. These efforts focus on policies relative to pathways to citizenship and access to VA services for foreign born US military veterans, PACT Act modifications, affordable housing, physical, as well as economic opportunities impacting veterans and their families. 

November 5th is quickly approaching. Get out in your community and vote.

 

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Dixon Center Bugler: Fall Development Update

Dixon Center Bugler: Fall Development Update

Fall is our busiest time of the year at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. Since September, we had meetings with six new potential partners, submitted four grant applications (two of which are collaborations with other partners), and attended two large conferences/events.

We secured two new foundation partnerships, one corporate partner renewal and two major donor gifts. A major highlight of the Fall has been our collaboration and hosting a workshop with several partners on how we can reimagine veteran and military family financial wellness. It’s been inspiring.

We are diligently working on our Veterans Day campaign (stay tuned for announcements) and gearing up for our end of year giving outreach, our two most critical development initiatives each year.

While we enjoy the changing colors and embrace the business of fall, we always find time to extend our gratitude to those who make our work possible.

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with

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Veterans’ Health Conference: Understanding New York’s Newest Veterans

Veterans’ Health Conference: Understanding New York’s Newest Veterans

Last week, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services attended the Veterans’ Health Conference: Understanding New York’s Newest Veterans to explore the results from the RAND Corporation’s new report on the health and well-being of New York State’s newest veterans.

Based on a survey of New Yorkers who recently separated from military service, the report offers the first comprehensive look at New York veterans’ health and social service needs since RAND’s landmark needs assessment nearly 14 years ago.

Dixon Center interfaced with leaders and researchers at the conference to stay connected with the evolving needs of veterans and their families, especially in New York state. The quote above from Derrick Coy of the NY Health Foundation reinforces the point, that if you’ve met a veteran, you’ve met a veteran. Engaging with organizations like RAND and the NY Health Foundation allows us to understand the complex and diverse needs of the veteran community, informing our solutions to build the capacity of our partners who integrate veterans and their families into their existing programs. 

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Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony

On 10 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted our 13th Annual Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony. This year we moved the event to align with