Support Our Soldiers - Foundation Overview
A WORD FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
Gerard J. Ferro, Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors
Click here to view Gerard's full biography
The Support Our Soldiers non-profit Foundation has been formed to solve a reoccurring problem in this country. We, as an ever growing organization, and with your help, are committed to directly financially assist our veterans who have been injured or disabled standing on a wall to protect us and our freedom. I have gained deep respect and admiration for all of the men and women who have served in uniform. I now truly understand the sacrifice that they made, and continue to do everything I can everyday to keep America free. I am honored to be part of an organization who’s effort is 100% committed to our military. I can think of no better cause than what the roots of this foundation was formed on. The foundation’s mission is very clear: To financially empower other organizations and an opportunity for individuals to generate revenue for their own cause. The program is quite simple and very transparent. Americans are being charged their insurance copayments when the cash price or the RxCut® price is less, for generics $10.00 or higher. By using this card, you will be assured of receiving the absolute lowest price for your medication. Every time our card saves you money, Free For All, Inc.® will generate $0.50 to our foundation.
I am proud to have been recently nominated as Chairman of the Support Our Soldiers Foundation, and I am committed to help this organization grow and commercialize patriotism. We are committed to raise $10 million dollars over the next twenty four months.
Sincerely,Gerard J. Ferro
MISSION STATEMENT
Providing a free way to empower every American to ensure the absolute lowest price on their prescriptions while directly assisting our veterans.
GOALS
- PROVIDE A TURN KEY SYSTEM FOR ANY ORGANIZATION TO GENERATE SIGNIFICANT ONGOING MONTHLY RESIDUAL REVENUE FOR THEIR CAUSE WHILE HELPING OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS AT THE SAME TIME
- INCREASE ANY ORGANIZATION’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE A NEW AND UNIQUE WAY TO GENERATE INCOME FOR THEIR CAUSE
- ENCOURAGE MORE ORGANIZATIONS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN HELPING OUR SOLDIERS
WHY OUR FOUNDATION IS UNIQUE
The Support Our Soldiers Foundation is unique from most other organizations in that: First, our funding is revenue generated by virtue of a special relationship with the Free For All, Inc. Corporation and our ability to distribute their deep discount prescription, imaging and laboratory testing card without cost to us. Second, the Foundation is not dependent upon soliciting donations through traditional fund raising efforts. We control our own success and revenue. Third, the Foundation is able to provide a 100% pay out to our participating soldier support organization, which means that for every dollar that comes in to our foundation, that dollar goes out to them.
HOW WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION
The Support our Soldiers Foundation’s mission is to provide another means of financial support to organizations whose mission is to reward, assist and honor our military men and women. Because we are self funded everyone mutually benefits from the distribution and use of our Free For All discount prescription, laboratory and imaging Card. The card is the source of revenue which comes to us via our relationship and support from Free For All, Inc.
THE FOUNDATION CAN BENEFIT YOUR MISSION
For more in-depth information on how you, your business or your organization can benefit at no cost to anyone as a sponsor of the Support Our Soldiers Foundation : Contact Steve Hyle, CEO, 302-236-3181 or sbh@helpoursoldiers.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gerard J. Ferro
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Click here to view Gerard's full biography
Joseph Panfile
CEO and Director
Joe is the CEO and Director of Support Our Soldiers Foundation. Joe was meritoriously promoted in boot camp, and was the honor graduate of Delta Co. upon graduating ITB. He served in Ramadi, Iraq from late 2007 to early 2008 with 1st battalion 8th marines Scout Sniper Platoon, Team 1. He was honorably discharged on Nov 26, 2010. Joe was injured in a non-combat related accident while in Iraq and was airlifted from Camp Ramadi to Al-Asad air base to Germany to Bethesda, Maryland. He is all too familiar with the red tape and politics involved in a marines recovery and transition back to full duty. He brings a unique knowledge of the pitfalls in the system and a commitment to provide a better standard of care to America’s wounded veterans.
Stephen B Hyle
Treasurer and Director
My military service began in April 1967 when I reported to my first assignment, Langley AFB, VA. From here I became a part of the Viet Nam War, assigned to UTapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield in Thailand. A year later I returned to the States, and was assigned to McGuire AFB, NJ, married my wife of now 41 years, Linda, and prepared to begin my civilian career. Then fate intervened when I met General Jack Catton, Commander of the Military Airlift Command, one of the most charismatic, gentlemanly, effective and caring leaders I have ever known. General Catton’s credo was...As a leader, always make sure that the people with whom you interact know by your actions that you care for them as individuals. He demonstrated this every day I worked for him and changed the path of my Air Force career. One of the first simple but profound things he said to me was, "Steve I only demand one thing from you and that’s if I ever make you feel that you are working for me rather than with me...forget the 4 stars on my shoulders and tell me about it". It was one of the most valuable and rewarding things I have ever learned and I have tried to emulate the General’s wise and thoughtful approach to all with whom I have worked and known. Meeting General Catton so early in my life made me a better person and contributed significantly to the wonderful life I have been blessed to live.
Following my tour in the Secretariat, Headquarters Military Air Lift Command, I was selected for the Air Force’s civilian advanced degree program and spent two years at Indiana University earning an MBA. Then, following a very short stint as the Chief of Central Base Administration at Grissom AFB, IN, fate once again intervened when I was selected as the Executive Officer for the world famous USAF aerial demonstration team, the "Thunderbirds". It was a fantastic two years and another life changing experience for me. Every day you were expected to do the right thing and demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism, performance and precision, even when the public wasn’t watching. Unexpectedly, I discovered another aspect of the job that appealed to me even more. It was the opportunity to reach out to our wounded veterans and their families, as well as seriously ill children we visited in hospitals across America. To positively impact the lives of others at this level of intensity was truly as much of a life changing experience as the more public aspects of being a "Thunderbird". It has stayed with me to this day. "But, most important of all, I learned the meaning and rewards of belonging to an organization where Esprit de’ Corps and impactful concern for others truly exists.
Next came another special duty assignment in the Air Force’s Education with Industry Program. I was assigned to the IBM Corporation in New Jersey and became a member of a unique Marketing Research Team within IBM. This presented another opportunity to represent all that is good about the military men and women serving our country to the "corporate" world. It was a duty I took very seriously. The highlight of this assignment was a five month research project conducted within a Congressional office in Washington, DC. During this time, I and other members of the IBM team had full and daily access to the Congressman himself as well as all members of his Congressional staff. This was almost unprecedented in its scope and from it I gained an invaluable and important opportunity to better understand the inner workings of our legislative process.
And then began my Pentagon days. I joined a newly formed special project team tasked with integrating the evolving concept of Information Resource Management into the Air Force. This mission completed, I was tapped by the Director of Administration of the AF to be his Executive Officer and Special Projects coordinator particularly for new information technology initiatives. I next moved up to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, as a Branch Chief in the Legislative Liaison Division. I was responsible for briefing, assisting members of Congress with Air Force related issues, coordinating worldwide Congressional trips, and traveling with key Congressmen and Senators. My final assignment was as Deputy Administrative Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. This assignment gave me a whole new perspective on the challenges and complexities of the decisions made at the highest levels of government. I was also for a brief time, assigned as the Military Coordinator for Vice President Bush and family during the 1985 Reagan-Bush Inaugural Events. I literally lived with VP Bush, his wife Barbara and their five children, including George W, another future President.
A little more than a year later, on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. Less than a week afterwards, I was nominated by President Reagan as Administrative Officer to the President’s Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. Once again I was given the opportunity to help our country in an impactful way. The Challenger tragedy had a profound impact on all Americans and I eagerly accepted President Reagan’s offer to be a part of history, and certainly a mission like none other. As a result of the Commission’s efforts, faith was restored in NASA, and the American people once again felt pride and supportive of our space program. I felt pride and at the same time, humbled and privileged to have been a part of a historic mission. I was given the opportunity to play a small part in helping our country recover from a national tragedy.
But now, through the Support Our Soldiers Foundation, I have been given yet another opportunity to be part of improving and impacting the lives of our most deserving people...our soldiers, veterans and military families. It could be argued that the plight of our men and women, particularly after they have served our country in harm’s way, is a tragedy. They need and deserve to be better appreciated, assisted and served for their sacrifice on the battlefield, of course, but more significantly now the battles they face when they return. Compassion and thanks alone are not enough. It is why the Foundation’s work is so important and personally fulfilling to me at this time in my life. I have never before felt the satisfaction that comes from shaking the hand and looking into the eyes of our wounded heroes, knowing the Foundation has and will continue to serve them, as they have served our country. I could not ask for a better legacy than to be a part of the Support Our Soldiers Foundation.
Joey Tilelli
President and Director
Joey is the President and Director of the Support Our Soldiers Foundation. He recently completed his active duty service, achieving the Meritorious Rank of Corporal, United States Marine Corps. During his service he served two tours in Iraq and more recently a third tour in Afghanistan.
During his first deployment he served with the First Battalion, 8th Marines Weapons Company as a 81mm gunner and also as a part of a TRAP (tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel) Team. His second tour in Iraq, Joey deployed with the First Battalion, 8th Marines Alpha Company, in Al Anbar Province. Here he served as the FO (forward observer) for Alpha Company, a vehicle commander for Alpha Mobile and a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) pilot. In this capacity, Joey flew over 65 combat hours and conducted over 200 mounted and dismounted combat patrols.
His third deployment, Joey served with the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines Weapons Company, stationed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Once again he acted as a Vehicle Commander for a CAAT platoon (combined anti armor team), successfully leading over 200 mounted and dismounted combat patrols.
During his service, Joey completed the following schools: Marine Basic Infantry Course, Advanced Mortarman Leadership Course as well as achieving a small land warfare Unmanned Ariel Vehicle - Raven license.
He serves as President and Director of the Foundation because of his demonstrated uncommon maturity and leadership skills tested and honed in the most intense and demanding environments one can encounter early in a professional career...the battlefield.
Barrett Kidner
Director
Barrett E. Kidner is President of the Barrett Group, Inc., a provider of administrative services to trade associations and other government affairs organizations headquartered in Dover, Delaware.
Previously, Barrett has worked in the Corporate Purchasing Department of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Barrett resigned from DuPont in 1979 to form Aramchem Corporation, an international petrochemical trading company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. In 1984 he returned to Wilmington, Delaware and became a principal in CPM Industries, a domestic chemical trading and brokerage company. In 1990 he formed The Barrett Group, an import/export consulting company. He also developed an international marketing and sales program for a U. S. manufacturer of proprietary heating systems and worked with Delaware's congressional delegation to overcome non-tariff trade barriers for export of U. S. built equipment, including environmental data transfers.
Barrett earned his Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Industrial Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, Army of the United States. He completed his military service obligation in the U. S. Army Reserve, as commander, Headquarters Company, 304th Engineer Battalion, (Combat), 79th Infantry Division with the rank of Captain.
His community service activities include; Chairman and CEO, The Caesar Rodney Institute,
Chairman, Board of Trustees, First Presbyterian Church, Newark, Delaware; President, Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, Los Angeles Chapter; Member, Governors International Trade Council, State of Delaware; Member, Foreign Trade Committee, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce; Member, Planning Commission, City of Newark, Delaware; Member, Board of Directors, San Fernando Chamber of Commerce; and, Member, Board of Directors, Tierra del Sol Foundation, Los Angeles, California.
Christopher S. Kidner
Director
Mr. Kidner is president of National Communications Inc., DBA C. S. Kidner Associates /Capitol Strategies a government/public relations firm,. The firm provides various levels of support to numerous clients seeking interaction with the local, state, and federal governments. While the firm primarily focuses on issues related to land use, development policies, and the environment, current clients include a trade association for the horse racing industry, the Tourism industry, an information technology provider, and those in the veterinary and physical therapy industries.
Scott began his professional career upon graduation from college by attending the Army engineer officer basic course Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and Airborne School at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He reported to active duty as a 2nd LT with the 588th Engineer Battalion (Combat) stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Following his active duty service, after a number of years with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and then as the operations manager for a local records management firm, he joined the Delaware Association of REALTORS as Director of Government Affairs. His other activities include President of the USO Delaware at Dover Air Force Base as well as service on numerous boards and service organizations throughout the state, including Past-President of the Dover-Downtown Rotary Club, the Executive Committee of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, Council Member
Also during this time, Mr. Kidner joined the Delaware Army National Guard, holding numerous positions including Aide-De-Camp to the Assistant Adjutant General. In November of 1990, as Company Commander of the 249th Engineers, his unit was activated for Desert Shield/Desert Storm and sent to Saudi Arabia, serving almost seven months overseas. CPT. Kidner was awarded the Bronze Star (two awards), the Kuwaiti Defense Ribbon, the Southwest Asia Defense Ribbon, and upon his return to Delaware, the Conspicuous Service Cross, and the Robert Kirkwood Commander’s Award.
Mr. Kidner graduated from the University of Denver with a BSBA and as a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) Army ROTC in 1988.
DONATIONS
In April, the Support Our Soldiers Foundation (SOSF) was proud and honored to make its first two financial grants. The recipients are both fine organizations devoted to helping our soldiers and their families.
On April 9th, the Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Delaware Community Appreciation Group (DCAG) of Milford, Delaware. This all volunteer organization was founded by Vic "Butch" Elzey 5 years ago as a means to assist, honor and thank our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Every year on Father’s Day and at Christmas, the Group travels to Walter Reed and provides a fully catered Bar BQ, musical entertainment, car show and an individual gift cards to each of the soldiers and their families. The SOSF’s $5,000 grant will enable the Group to significantly increase the value of the gift card that each individual soldier will be presented at this year’s upcoming events.
On April 14th, the Foundation made its second grant to the America 4R Marines organization of Willow Grove, PA. This all volunteer group supports Marines deployed across the globe with needed personal items, sponsors events for the families of deployed Marines and provided aid and comfort to our Wounded Heroes in their time of need. The Foundation made a grant of $576 to America 4R Marines. America 4R Marines used this donation to provide hotel accommodations for recently wounded members of 1st Batallion 8th Marines who were undergoing medical treatment elsewhere so they could attend a Memorial Service for their Fallen Brothers at Camp LeJeune, NC.