The Independence Fund

In honor of the Month of the Military Caregiver, The Independence Fund hosted its third annual Beyond The Call luncheon yesterday. This event is held each year to celebrate the incredible, often unseen heroes behind our nation’s heroes, the Caregivers of wounded Veterans.⁠ ⁠ Caregivers keep their families together. They serve year-round, often without breaks. Their work stems from a commitment to their wounded hero and country.⁠ ⁠ The Independence Fund is profoundly grateful to everyone who joined this special event and to the Caregivers who courageously shared their stories of strength, sacrifice, and resilience. Your voices are inspiring, and your service is seen.⁠ ⁠ This event was held in partnership with the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation in support of The Independence Fund’s Caregiver Program. ⁠ ⁠ We are also deeply grateful to @creta_construction_ , @koconstructionllc , The Moser Group, The Jared & Elizabeth Poplin Charitable Fund, The Smith Family, Drew & Bobbi Jo Lazarus, and The McBride Family for supporting this event and helping make it possible for several Caregivers to take part in the day’s festivities.⁠ ⁠ The support raised through this event will help The Independence Fund continue providing retreats, respite opportunities, and meaningful support for Caregivers.⁠ ⁠ We would also like to thank the Beyond The Call Steering Committee members: Ashley McBride, @elizabethpoplin , @emilyeodom , @kellysuperak , @weezymose , @mirandainclt , and @nataliestewar1 . Your dedication helped make this event truly special.⁠ ⁠ To support military Caregivers, please visit the link in our bio and select The Independence Fund’s Caregiver Program to make your donation.⁠ ⁠ #BeyondTheCall #BeAHeroForAHero #Caregivers

A deeply humbling honor to emcee the 3rd Annual Beyond the Call Luncheon in support of The Independence Fund’s Caregiver Program. Since 2007, The Independence Fund has empowered wounded Veterans and their families by restoring independence, strengthening families, and filling critical gaps in support. At the heart of that mission is the Caregiver Program — honoring the spouses, parents, children, and loved ones who step into unexpected roles to care for our nation’s heroes. They manage medications, coordinate appointments, navigate challenges, and provide unwavering emotional support through life’s most difficult moments. This role doesn’t end at 5 PM. It is constant, deeply personal, and often unseen — yet its impact is immeasurable. Yesterday was about honoring them. ❤️🤍💙

Tomorrow marks the third annual Beyond The Call Luncheon, thanks to our partnership with The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation. It’s impossible to change lives alone. The kind of support Caregivers provide to Veterans is truly immeasurable, and The Independence Fund stands ready to support them, but not without help. We appreciate The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation for partnering with us to support this vital program. Caregivers have been in town all week, receiving the chance to reset and enjoy respite from their constant responsibilities. It has taken a village to make this possible, but this foundation has played a core role in supporting the heroes behind our heroes. This month is the Month of the Military Caregiver, and Beyond the Call is just one way to honor Caregivers. Stay tuned all month to meet the Caregivers in attendance and learn how their ongoing sacrifices make a difference in the lives of the Veterans who sacrificed first. #BeyondTheCall #BeAHeroForAHero #TheIndependenceFund #Caregiver #MonthoftheMilitaryCaregiver

QC Life welcomed The Independence Fund back on air to spotlight an incredible Caregiver and the upcoming Beyond The Call Luncheon, happening Thursday at 11 AM at Duke Mansion. Only a few tickets remain. Thank you, @qclife , for helping shine a light on the Month of the Military Caregiver and the sacrifices military Caregivers make every day. The Independence Fund is proud to stand alongside these selfless heroes and encourages the community to do the same. Featured on the show this morning was Caregiver Kristi Wheeler, who is visiting Charlotte as part of this week’s Caregiver retreat. Kristi cares for her husband, Jase, a Gulf War Veteran who is a double above-the-knee amputee living with PTSD and a chronic neurological disorder. From managing complex medical care to supporting prosthetic rehabilitation and daily life, Kristi’s dedication is unwavering. When Veterans return home from war, the fight is far from over. Physical injuries, mental health challenges, and lifelong recovery journeys often depend on the strength of Caregivers who give so much of themselves each day. No one can pour from an empty cup, which is why retreats like these are so important for Caregivers like Kristi. Join us in honoring and supporting those who serve behind the scenes. #BeyondTheCall #BeAHeroForAHero #TheIndependenceFund #Caregiver #VeteranCaregiver

This Mother’s Day, we honor the strength, sacrifice, and quiet resilience behind the title “Mom.” 🇺🇸 ⁠ ⁠ To the mothers who serve in uniform, who have defended our freedoms, and who carry the weight of caregiving each day, your role is never just one thing. You lead, you protect, you nurture, and you persevere through challenges most will never see. ⁠ ⁠ At The Independence Fund, you are seen. Your country is grateful for the countless sacrifices you’ve made, both in service to our nation and in service to your families. ⁠ ⁠ Today, let’s celebrate every story, every sacrifice, and every moment of strength that defines you. Happy Mother’s Day to the women who do it all. ⁠ ⁠ #MothersDay #Veterans #Caregivers #BeAHeroForAHero

101 training sessions. ⁠ 1,600 state troopers. ⁠ Countless lives saved. ⁠ ⁠ Through the Veterans Justice Initiative, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol made the life-changing decision to train its First Responders in Veteran Crisis Training throughout the last year. ⁠ ⁠ It's not just any training; it's the skills needed to address heroes, like them, at their most vulnerable. It’s the ability to turn a life-ending outcome into a new beginning. ⁠ ⁠ This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the perfect time to inspire others to step up, like these troopers, to make a difference in the life of someone who has already sacrificed so much. There is no way to know just how many lives will be bettered moving forward, but when a crisis strikes, each one of these troopers stands ready. ⁠ ⁠ Thank you, troopers! ⁠ ⁠ #VJI #VeteransJusticeInitiative @ncstatehighwaypatrol ⁠ ⁠

Behind every wounded Veteran is someone who never leaves their side, their Caregiver. ⁠ ⁠ This May is the Month of the Military Caregiver, a time for remembering and honoring the Caregivers who carry the unseen weight of their role, day in and day out. ⁠ ⁠ Their stories are powerful. ⁠ Their sacrifices are real. ⁠ Their strength is unmatched. ⁠ ⁠ This month, follow along here to meet the Caregivers who are attending the third annual Beyond The Call Luncheon, where those who want to make a real difference will be present to support this life-changing Caregiver Program! ⁠ ⁠ Few seats are left at the luncheon! Learn more and get your tickets now at the link in our bio. ⁠ ⁠ Beyond the Call will take place at 11 AM on Thursday, May 14, at the historic Duke Mansion (400 Hermitage Road, Charlotte, NC). ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #BeyondTheCall #CaregiverStories #TheIndependenceFund #BeAHeroForAHero

Surrounded by his family and community, U.S. Navy Veteran Craig Messina received an all-terrain trackchair on Saturday, April 25, at Florida Gulf Coast University. ⁠ ⁠ This trackchair restored more than mobility; it returned opportunities to Craig that have been out of reach for far too long. That is true independence and what powers The Independence Fund! ⁠ ⁠ Craig served six years, but after sustaining severe, service-related injuries, including permanent nerve damage and multiple spinal and hip surgeries, everyday activities became a painful challenge. ⁠ ⁠ Simple moments, like walking alongside his wife, spending time outdoors with his children, or returning to his hobbies, were no longer guaranteed. ⁠ That changed on April 25. ⁠ ⁠ This was made possible in partnership with Kappa Alpha Order’s Zeta Phi Chapter @ka_fgcu , whose commitment to Veterans continues to create a lasting impact. ⁠ ⁠ Thank you to Kappa Alpha for standing alongside those who have served and helping restore independence, dignity, and hope. ⁠ ⁠ #TheIndependenceFund #BeAHeroForAHero #KappaAlpha

The 6th annual Wounded Heroes Day was recognized throughout Charlotte, North Carolina, and the nation in powerful ways. Thank you to all who took action and spread Acts of Kindness and awareness in honor of wounded heroes. The Charlotte Uptown Lights were illuminated in red, white, and blue on Friday, April 24, a patriotic reminder to all who witnessed them shine. Throughout the weekend, community members visited memorial sites, including SGT Michael Verardo’s memorial bench in Waxhaw, taking time to reflect and remember. Restaurants in the area also stepped forward on donating proceeds and raising awareness, including @hickorytavern locations, Mary O’Neill’s Irish Pub, and @fdcigarco . These collective acts of remembrance and service reflect the true spirit of Wounded Heroes Day, honoring sacrifice through meaningful action. #WoundedHeroesDay #ActsofKindess #beaheroforahero

This year’s Wounded Heroes Day celebration was made possible through the support of dedicated partners who turned awareness into action! @hickorytavern demonstrated its ongoing commitment by donating a portion of proceeds across its many locations, helping support meaningful programs for wounded Veterans. On Friday, April 24, @maryoneills donated generously, and @fdcigarco helped in raising awareness and contributing proceeds in honor of those who have sacrificed. During the Wounded Heroes Day celebration on Sunday, April 26 held at the Marvin Village Hall, @lovesipsanddips and @repiccis kindly provided free refreshments, making the event special for everyone. Marvin Elementary School played a vital role by collecting supplies to assemble more than 250 care packages for Veterans and servicemembers, demonstrating the impact of service at every age. On Sunday, another 700 packages were made by volunteers! Wounded Heroes Day, observed annually on April 24, is a day dedicated to honoring U.S. service members who were wounded in combat and recognizing the ongoing sacrifices they and their families endure. Inspired by the story of SGT Michael Verardo, who was critically injured in Afghanistan on April 24, 2010, the day serves as both a tribute and a call to action. Officially established in North Carolina in 2021 and nationally recognized in 2025, Wounded Heroes Day brings together communities, businesses, and organizations to actively support wounded Veterans through awareness, service, and tangible impact, ensuring no wounded hero fights alone. SGT Verardo died as a result of his combat injuries on August 26, 2025, after sustaining more than one hundred surgeries and years of recovery. The Independence Fund cannot thank these partners enough for their support. #WoundedHeroesDay #NorthCarolina #theindependencefund

If you’ve lost a loved one who served, you don’t have to navigate the next steps alone.⁠ ⁠ The Veterans Affairs Office of Survivors Assistance is hosting the Survivor Series. It's a monthly virtual program designed to support surviving families of service members and Veterans. Each session shares helpful information on benefits, services, and resources available to you, along with guidance on how to access them.⁠ ⁠ Sessions will be held on the last Wednesday of each month.⁠ 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET⁠ No registration required!⁠ ⁠ Join at www.va.gov/survivors/Survivor_Series.asp⁠ ⁠ Please share this with anyone who may need it. Support and answers are available.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #veteran #military #beaheroforahero

Community leaders, honored guests, and supporters came together for Wounded Heroes Day to recognize our nation’s wounded Veterans. Their presence made the event even more meaningful and stands as an example to the nation, reminding all to honor those who gave nearly everything. The Independence Fund sincerely thanks these leaders, including North Carolina Representatives Grant Campbell (@rep_grant_campbell ) and Donnie Loftis, North Carolina Department of Insurance Regional Director Yvonne Norris, Village of Marvin (@villageofmarvin ) Mayor Joseph Barbara, Mayor of Weddington Joseph Bell, Union County Sheriff (@unioncountysonc ) Eddie Cathey, Charlotte Fire (@charlottefire ) Battalion Chief Drew Lazarus, and Reverend Dr. Terry Moore of Weddington Methodist Church (@weddingtonchurch ), Brand President Hickory Tavern (@hickorytavern ), Tony Read, and Owner of The Hunter Farm (@thehunterfarm ) Nancy Anderson. #WoundedHeroesDay #TheIndependenceFund #NorthCarolina #Veterans #BeAHeroForAHero