However you are spending this season, The Sugar Bear Foundation would like to wish you Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas. We hope you and your family are healthy and well and we look forward to sharing more updates in the coming year.
Thank you,
Jennifer Carazo
Gold Star wife and Chairman
This Tuesday, December 1st is Giving Tuesday - A day that focuses on supporting various causes and organizations. We hope you will consider The Sugar Bear Foundation when making donations.
You can see a list of our programs and opportunities below which illustrates our work and commitment to Gold Star spouses and children. Our programs and services focus on career, educational, and financial initiatives. We do so because these were areas that Sugar Bear deemed as vital for the Marines and Sailors he served alongside and because they are needed. We consider our educational and career opportunities to be building blocks to an individual’s future. A game-changer if you will. They can literally transform the course of a Gold Star spouse or child’s life and we are working to extend these opportunities.
Four months ago, we launched our Financial Assistance Program for Gold Star spouses. Since its inception, we have paid medical bills, rent, car repairs, and power bills to mention a few. We continue to receive inquiries from spouses in need and we are dependent upon the grants and donations we receive to support this and our other programs.
I would like to take this opportunity to also say thank you for the incredible support we have received. I personally feel blessed and grateful for the opportunities we are gaining to give back to these deserving families. I know Sugar Bear would share my sentiments. As always, please reach out if you have an idea or would simply like to get involved. All assistance is greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Jennifer Carazo,
Chairman and Gold Star wife
As the holidays are quickly approaching, this is usually a time of great joy and festivities for many. We at the Sugar Bear Foundation recognize that many of our Gold Star families are struggling financially which can leave an insurmountable burden on them. This year, due to an amazing outpouring of generosity from our supporters, we were able to launch our Financial Assistance Program for Gold Star spouses. In the last few months, we have been able to assist with medical bills and regular monthly challenges. We continue to receive inquiries into this program from spouses in need. Some have been impacted by COVID and others simply need assistance due to unforeseen circumstances.
Losing a spouse in service to our country changes these families' lives forever and we are working to help make this path a little more bearable. This holiday season we want to take some needed steps by providing more assistance so they know that we truly recognize their sacrifice and help them start to reveal that new path. Any financial support you can offer the Sugar Bear Foundation and the Gold Star families we serve is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Jennifer Carazo
Chairman and Gold Star wife
I love serving as our Chairman and some days I cannot even believe I am here working in this capacity. When Mario was killed, I was teaching online at the university level for an institution that served the military community. I had no idea how I would maintain such a position while assuming the role of both mom and dad to our children. I was blessed to have a lot of support from my parents, wonderful friends, and an intense desire to do both and do them well. Our children will always be my focus even now as they are transitioning to young adults but adding programs and opportunities that will help enrich the lives of Gold Star families also brings me an incredible sense of fulfillment. Partly because I know it would be important to Sugar Bear, but also because I know it is needed.
Our team is working to help these families transition to a new life, although different then they envisioned, but one that can also bring them fulfillment and meaning! It gives me great joy to share we have some new opportunities for our families that align with our mission of providing educational, career, and financial support. I hope you will continue to read on about our scholarship recipients, upcoming events, and more… As always, I want to thank you for supporting our work and invite you to join our mission in any way possible.
Thank you,
Jennifer Carazo
Chairman and Gold Star wife