charitable giving
b y J E N N I F E R B R U G H
SHINING A LIGHT ON OPERATION HEALING FORCES
I nternational Diamond Company is proud to sponsor the efforts and contributions Operation Healing Forces makes to our veterans. Keith Leclerc and OHF founders, Gary Markel and Tony Markel, not only have a special friendship, but they also have a shared commitment to giving back to the community, and they do it by taken care of the most active branch of the military. Since 2011, OHF has been helping active-duty and veterans of the Special Operations Forces and their spouses reconnect through week-long retreats all over the country. Through these therapeutic retreats, SOF and their loved ones can openly discuss the mental and physical wounds they endured while serving their country. “The weeklong, free, therapeutic retreats, which now number over 50 a year, remain the backbone of OHF’s assistance,” Tony said. “These retreats provide opportunities for the couples to get away from the rigors of hospitals, doctors appointments, and raising children, enabling them to focus on their spouse and the strength of their relationship and marriage Operation Healing Forces began as a quiet, simple gesture by Gary, who wanted to graciously donate his yacht and crew free to use for wounded service members to use for week-long trips. The idea quickly took off and in November 2011, Operation Cruise was born. By 2016, the non-profit organization rebranded into Operation Healing Forces and the door opened for more donations of homes and resorts as retreat options, and IDC is proud to be a part of this cause by lending a helping hand.
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