During Deployments
Raising Raiders helps MARSOC families
Right now, OLYMPIA YARGER is driving around the continental U.S. She has already traveled 5,000 miles, met with the command sergeant major of Special Operations Command, and collaborated with various charities across America.
The co-founder of Raising Raiders, a local nonprofit that supports families with a member in the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), is participating in what the group is calling 50 States, 30 Days.
“This drive is a way we can present the information, the stories of these families, that is missing from the discussion when considering military benefits. I’m speaking to military caregivers across the country,” says Yarger, who has worked as a photographer in Wilmington since 2005.
Along with three other military spouses, Yarger started Raising Raiders in 2012 because she felt there were things they could do for Special Operations families that would help empower them to achieve success in the military lifestyle.
“We aimed to help through education and opportunities to help the families pursue their passions or goals,” Yarger says. “Special Operations Command can be challenging and stressful to families. The operational tempo means that families will spend significant time as single-parent families while the service member is working.”
One way that Raising Raiders is making a difference is through The Initiative, which is the group’s grant and scholarship program. Awards are allocated to a variety of causes, from tuition, small business startups, and tutoring to sporting equipment and lessons, intramural sporting events, and medical items not covered by health care plans.
“We are really excited about our Initiative program,” Yarger says. “We see it developing further and growing.”
Yarger says that the most challenging part of starting the organization, however, was convincing their families to accept help from The Initiative.
“Particularly in the Special Operations community, you don't tend to ask for help unless all the wheels fall off,” Yarger says. “So many of our families were concerned they would look like they were needy or not able to manage if they participated in The Initiative. Raising Raiders believes you have to ensure your families are thriving for the service member to thrive also.”
This year, Raising Raiders has awarded a variety of grants. They have aided children who are struggling at school to get tutors, helped spouses meet their educational and professional goals, and provided resources for sports lessons, which Yarger believes goes a long way to keep the children engaged, happy, and successful.
“I feel a great sense of pride at being able to do something that is directly affecting and helping families at our unit,” Yarger says. “When we receive emails from families about how our programs have made them happy or helped or assisted in some way – I know we’re on the right track.”
Raising Raiders is currently seeking volunteers, who are tracked through United Way, specifically in the areas of social media assistance, event planning, and hosting volunteers.
To view more of photographer Katherine Clark's work, go to www.katherineclarkphotography.com.
