By Jeremy Fay, Sales Representative with EXIT Heart of Texas, Killeen, TX
Irreverent Warriors (IW) works to combat veteran suicide through its events and has a stated mission of bringing veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. As a veteran who has endured multiple combat deployments, I have lost more soldiers to suicide than I have by the enemy’s hand. After I watched my best friend’s house burn down with him inside (by a fire that he set) I made the conscious decision to turn my anger, frustration, and grief into something positive and plugged into Irreverent Warriors in the hopes of preventing what I had to endure.
As a combat veteran who struggles with the effects of PTSD associated with my previous deployments, I have found enormous comfort and support from Irreverent Warriors. As an EXIT associate, I would like to enable Irreverent Warriors to continue to do the work they do that impact veterans in a positive manner. One of those events is a hike where IW – Killeen is hoping to add to the number of veterans in attendance.
IW – Killeen needs funding to carry out its mission. One of the signature events of Irreverent Warriors is the aforementioned “Silkies Hike” where veterans engage in an 8–12-mile hike in the spirit of humor and camaraderie. Participants engage in conversation unique to those with the shared experience of military service that serves as a reminder that they are not alone in their struggle. This sense of unity provides purpose and improves mental health.
Many of my clientele and sphere of influence are military, veterans, or sympathetic to veteran causes such as the suicide epidemic that plagues the veteran community. By sharing a donation link throughout social media platforms, I was able to reach more people to raise money for this cause.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds. Jeremy raised $1919, which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, for a total donation of $3,838 to Irreverent Warriors- Killeen.
“On behalf of Irreverent Warriors, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the generous donations collected. Your contributions will allow us to create a welcoming and impactful event for veterans and supports alike, reinforcing our shared commitment to mental health and suicide prevention in the veteran community,” said Tracy Wirth, Coordinator, Irreverent Warriors-Killeen.
