Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Over several months in 2015 the Community Relations committee of the Heritage Hunt Chapter of MOAA reviewed several very worthy military veteran-oriented charities with the hope of recommending one to the Board for approval of support.

At our 10 March 2015 MOAA Board Meeting, the Board unanimously approved a one-time donation of $1000 to TAPS.  The Board extended an invitation to a TAPS official to attend our Spring Social to make a brief presentation on the role of TAPS including volunteer opportunities in which our Chapter membership may become involved.

The following has been Adapted from the TAPS Volunteer Handbook:

“TAPS is America’s only nonprofit veterans’ service organization chartered solely to assist the surviving families of military members who have died while serving our nation.

A significant part of TAPS’ mission is to minister to the mental, emotional, and spiritual welfare of children who are part of the military family and have suffered the traumatic death of a parent.  TAPS accomplishes this mission by providing both regional and national military survivors seminars and Good Grief Camps for Young Survivors.

In addition, TAPS maintains a 24/7 crisis intervention hotline and provides a national peer support network, grief counseling referrals, case-work assistance and an extensive array of educational resources.

TAPS receives no government funds and their services are free of charge to the surviving family members served.  TAPS relies on the generosity of their donors and volunteers to provide ongoing support for their programs.  Volunteer opportunities include the following:

• Event support, including registration and set-up
• Support of marathons, half-marathons and short distance races
• Office support at the Arlington, VA office including development, donor relations, finance, casework, volunteer coordination and Resource Kit assembly
• Peer Mentorship, for those who are themselves survivors of a military loss

Since its inception in 1994 TAPS has offered support to more than 50,000 surviving family members of our fallen military.  TAPS has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.  Eighty-seven cents of every dollar received flows directly to services provided.”

Mike Moore, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, has been in contact with the Development Manager of TAPS, Melissa Burris. Melissa has been invited to our Spring social March 18 to make a brief presentation and offer her thanks for our contribution.