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One in three homeless
men in America is a veteran.
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Jeffrey
was a silent hero, touching many lives......
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"Hope For Our Heros"
Rummage Sale! |
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Every dollar generated
goes toward helping combat veterans to receive mental
health care and treatment for combat PTSD” See Details |
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"To thy hands we our souls,
Lord, commend" |
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Loved ones lost to
combat PTSD related suicide.
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The
Lehner
Letter. |
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| March
18, 2006 |
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Dear friends and family,
as you may be well aware, for me this has been The Year
of the Phoenix.
Resulting from Jeff’s suicide in early December ‘05,
January found me on the
verge of physical and emotional breakdown. After pulling
together the memorial service, I literally collapsed
under the weight of losing someone with whom I had
shared so much, loved so deeply, and to whom I devoted
myself so extensively. After shaking hands with the last
mourner, I immediately checked in for a 10 day
"vacation" at Cottage Hospital and took an extended
leave of absence from my bakery, Sugar!. During this
time I reflected heavily on Jeff’s life, his death, and
most specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. |
Back at home and on
unstable ground, I wanted answers. How could this
happen? What could have been done to prevent it? Where
was the help that Jeff needed so desperately? It was
through endless hours of research that I became
increasingly aware of the lack of funding to government
organizations that provide PTSD counseling, and the need
for intensive daily therapy that the Veterans
Administration (the V.A.) cannot provide on it’s own.
Following extensive prayer and counsel, I handed the
bakery over to my partner Kirsten Soria and devoted
myself to serving those who have served this country so
selflessly. This was the birth of The Lehner Foundation. |
February was difficult. My
time was split between healing my heart and
speaking publicly about Jeff’s death and the foundation.
I found myself exhausted and again floundering under the
weight of loss with the added component of reliving the
experience every time I stood up and spoke out about the
effects of PTSD. On February 14th, 2006 I stood in front
of the Santa Barbara chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of
America and told yet again Jeff‘s story. I am happy to
report my very first standing ovation, but more
importantly the support and backing of a venerable group
of Americans who understand the gravity of PTSD and it’s
potential for disaster upon our communities. That
evening I went home and prayed about my goals and my
direction, and with peace in my heart gave myself
permission to put things on hold until the day I could
say the name Jeff without bursting into tears. |
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Enter March with it’s cold
winds and rain, but my life has begun to
radiate sunshine. The Lord has brought so many wonderful
people into my life! From volunteers to board members to
healers and friends, I am standing firm in my direction
and back on track with the foundation. We are now
members of the Chamber of Commerce and look forward to
participating in the Chamber trade show next month. We
are also seeing an increase in non-cash and cash
donations thanks to Marlena’s Finery and Fashionique.
Thanks to both of you for all of the great clothing for
our upcoming rummage sale and for spreading the word
about the foundation! I would also like to thank the
following people for their generous donations and
outpouring of love and prayer: |
Mr. Steve Cushman, S.B.
Chamber of Commerce
Dr. James G. Rolfe, D.D.S.; Afghanistan Dental Relief
Project Inc.
Ms. Dianne McCutchan, Non Profit Support Center
Montecito Executive Services
Kinko’s, Santa Barbara
Well’s Fargo, Montecito Branch
The Reverand Jeffrey Bullock, All Saints By The Sea
Pastor Ricky Ryan, Calvary Chapel
Will Stanton, filmmaker
Mr and Mrs.Tom Rohrback
Mr. Joseph A. Klein
Mrs. Dee MacGillivary
Capt. Shannon McGraw-Kuehn, USMC.
Ms. Sandy McGraw
Mr and Mrs. Dale Lowdermilk
Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Reed
Ms. Libby Mason
Mrs. Ime Hill |
We are blessed to live in
a paradise home not only to lovers of the arts
but lovers of humanity, and it is thanks entirely to our
brave and honorable
servicemen and women that we are allowed this freedom.
Please help us to give back to those who put their lives
on the line by donating your time, extra pocket change,
new or used clothing and household items, cars etc. to
The Lehner Foundation. Every cent of our donations go to
help returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans
suffering from PTSD. Our goal is to open a 6-10 room
residential treatment center by July ‘07, and with your
help we can see that other families, friends, and
communities do not suffer the losses that we have all
experienced through Jeff’s brutal and untimely death. |
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Blessings to you,
Sarah Farmer, Founder |
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