TAPS Expedition Receives Grant to Help Surviving Family Members of America's Fallen Heroes as they Navigate Grief Journey

Safeway Foundation Award Will Support Program Which Enhances Confidence, Achievement for Those Grieving the Loss of a Loved One

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 30, 2017 

ARLINGTON, Va. –The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) was recently awarded a $25,000 grant by the Safeway Foundation, which is dedicated to bettering the lives of the people in their neighborhoods. One of the foundations’ focus areas is to support recent veterans and the families of America’s fallen heroes, which is done by supporting national and community-based organizations that already reach them, while honoring service and sacrifice, and aiding in the transition of veterans back into their communities.

The grant will be used to fund the TAPS Mount Shasta Climbing Expedition, scheduled to begin Sept. 7. TAPS expeditions are one of the organization’s programs for adults 18 and over who have lost a loved one as a result of his or her service in the Armed Forces.

“We are so grateful for the support provided by the Safeway Foundation as well as their recognition of the important work we do in communities across America to support the families of the nation’s fallen heroes,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS president and founder and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “TAPS expeditions such as the Mount Shasta Climbing Expedition provide an important opportunity for those grieving the loss of a loved one to conquer their fears and insecurities as they achieve something they may have never dreamed of. The confidence they build on an expedition helps them as they encounter other uncertainties along their individual grief journeys.”

Each day, TAPS receives 14 new survivors seeking connection to grief resources and searching for understanding and comfort in a life that has been shaken from the sudden and traumatic loss of a loved one serving in our nation’s Armed Forces, including many mothers, fathers, spouses, sisters, brothers, adult children and battle buddies. For more information about TAPS expeditions and other programs for those who have been affected by the death of someone serving in the military, please visit taps.org. 

ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 70,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).

ABOUT THE SAFEWAY FOUNDATION

Founded in 2001, the Safeway Foundation supports causes that impact our customers' lives. Safeway stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through the generous contributions by our customers, our employees' passion and partnerships with our vendors. We focus on giving locally in the areas of Health and Human Services, Hunger, Youth and Education, Veterans and Supporting Diversity and Inclusion of All Abilities. For more information about the Safeway Foundation, visit www.safewayfoundation.org. The Safeway Foundation is a part of the national Albertsons Companies Foundation.