Military & Veteran Affairs Committee Meeting

Please join us on Monday, October 5th at 11:30 am for the Navarre Chamber's Military & Veteran Affairs Committee Meeting.  The meeting will be held in the  Ira Mae Hewatt Bruce Conference Room at the Navarre Chamber Information Center (1804 Prado Street, Navarre).

Lunch will be provided by our meeting sponsor Shadows of Strength.
 

Leadership from NAS Whiting Field will be presenting and we are honoring the Navy for their 251st birthday

Dr. Lisha T. Wallace and Mr. Michael Kennedy are currently serving as Co-Chairs of the Navarre Chamber's Military & Veteran Affairs Committee. As recent U.S. Air Force retirees, both are honored and excited to continue supporting the military community through this leadership role.

The Navarre Chamber Military & Veteran Affairs Committee fosters collaboration between local military installations, civic leaders, and the business community while promoting programs that support service members and their families.

Lunch will be provided.

Attendees are asked to register in advance to ensure adequate seating and catering.

More about the Lunch Sponsor:  Shadows of Strength

Shadows of Strength is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to combat human trafficking and support individuals impacted by exploitation and trauma. Their approach is survivor-centered and mission-focused, but their work goes beyond awareness—they partner with law enforcement, federal agencies, and other organizations to help locate and protect vulnerable individuals.

One example of that work is Operation Northern Lights, a U.S. Marshals-led operation that resulted in the recovery and location of 43 critically missing children across North Florida. The operation brought together more than 80 personnel from 25 agencies, including federal, state, and local law enforcement, social services, and nonprofit organizations. Shadows of Strength was one of the nonprofit partners involved in the operation.

The organization is entirely volunteer-driven, so community support is critical to its ability to participate in operations like Northern Lights and continue building resources for survivors. Which brings me too....

Her Strength, Her Story — October 16

Shadows of Strength is hosting Her Strength, Her Story: Women Who Serve — Trauma to Tactical on Friday, October 16, at SpringHill Suites in Navarre.

This isn't simply a fundraising event. It is an opportunity to bring our community together around an issue that affects all of us—and to learn more about the people working behind the scenes to help protect vulnerable individuals.

The evening will feature powerful storytelling and survivor-centered conversations highlighting women in military and public service, law enforcement, advocacy, survivor leadership, and community impact. Col. (Ret.) Allison Black will be one of the featured speakers.

I'd love to see the MAC represented at this event. If you're able to attend, please consider purchasing a ticket and bringing a friend, spouse, coworker, or someone else in your network who would benefit from hearing these stories.

🎟️ Tickets: Her Strength, Her Story — October 16

And if you aren't able to attend, there are still ways you can help. Please consider sharing the event with your network or connecting Shadows of Strength with a business or organization that may be interested in sponsoring the event.

For an organization that operates entirely through volunteers, every ticket, sponsorship, introduction, and share helps extend their ability to do this work.

I hope you'll join me on October 16 and help us fill the room in support of Shadows of Strength and the work they are doing in our community.

Thank you again to Shadows of Strength for sponsoring our October MAC lunch. I'm looking forward to having them with us!