Our Mission
The Mission Project was founded in 2005 by the disabled widow of Sgt. Douglas Bergerson, in order to honor his memory and military service following his suicide. Her vision to put an end to military suicide through the programs and services we offer. The most important things soldiers need from us is to know they are not alone, that people care and that we are here to help and support them. Doug considered the military his family, and family takes care of each other.
The Mission Project supports our military and its veterans through our programs (aka Missions) and partnerships with other businesses, churches, and organizations that positively help and assist our armed forces. We are committed to mental health, advocacy, reintegration, suicide prevention, camaraderie and fellowship. Our motto is if we all do a little we can accomplish a lot.
About Us
Our Missions/Programs
- Care Packages: include food, coffee, hygiene, with cards & letters of encouragement. Care packages are sent year round, to active military overseas, wounded warriors and veterans in crisis. We offer special missions during the holidays which include holiday specific items.
- Freedom Fighters Support Group: is a peer-driven support group open to our military, veterans, their family or support system. It is an opportunity for them to gather and work though their issues while enjoying comraderie and friendship. We provide a community meal, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, and live music. We also have resource tables with veteran and community-based resources. The group is free to all who participate.
- Gift Card Program / Veteran Crisis Fund: provides short-term help for veterans in crisis by providing gift cards for gas, food and retail essentials or an emergency cash grants, paid to a vendor on behalf of the veteran to assist in the payment of things such as work-related items, transportation, housing, medical and/or utilities.
- Quilt Program: is collaboration with Wabash Valley Correctional to provide quilts to veterans in homeless shelters, soldiers/veterans in crisis (homeless or in transition) at Stand Downs and as a thank you for their service.
- Camp Scholarship Fund: We collaborate with a variety of camps, some with a PTSD focus and others with a family focus, but both aim to help our veterans heal and reintegrate from their war-time experience.
The Mission Project operates year round. It’s open to all military regardless of rank or branch of service. The majority of notes and care packages go to service members serving overseas. Exceptions are made for wounded warriors, veterans in nursing homes, and soldiers or veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
The Mission Project is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) charity (#46-2233204). We are a 100% volunteer effort by people who love our military and its veterans. Therefore, all of what we raise goes toward the operation of our programs. We want to make a difference and would appreciate your help.