Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Summit spotlighted innovation in community support for caregivers of wounded, ill, and injured service members Washington, DC (October 13, 2020) ⎯ Recorder Becky Lynch participated in the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s first ever Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Summit, “Building a Hidden Heroes Community: How to Create Initiatives that Support Military and Veteran Caregivers,” virtually on October 7.:
Alongside Comcast-NBCUniversal, AARP, and the National Associations of Counties (NACo). The Elizabeth Dole Foundation brought together more than a hundred local government officials from across the country. The summit was a seminal element of the Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program, which includes more than 155 cities, counties, and states that have pledged to support members of the 5.5 million loved ones caring for a wounded, ill, or injured service member at home who are living in their jurisdictions.:
“We were thrilled for the opportunity to engage with local leaders in our first Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Summit,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “Since the start of the Hidden Heroes Cities program, we have seen amazing local officials step up to support military and veteran caregivers, and we hope by creating this forum to collaborate, communities left with actionable initiatives that help them strengthen and grow their initiatives and programs of support.”:
The summit highlighted best practices and resources that can serve as models for local communities seeking to build or expand systems of support for military caregivers. Small group sessions led by Dole Caregiver Fellows also provided caregivers and leaders opportunities to learn what communities are accomplishing to support military and veteran caregivers, and apply lessons learned as they implement new initiatives in the future.:
Every community leader in attendance will be connected with the Dole Caregiver Fellows representing their state. This local partnership will help to create support systems and initiatives to serve the hidden heroes in Lake County Ohio.:
“To be witness to such a comprehensive and compassionate effort for caregiving to our most valiant and brave is the highlight of my career,” said Recorder Lynch, “what an excellent program, I am so honored!” Senator Dole was the first to call the nation’s attention to military caregivers. A 2014 RAND study commissioned by her Foundation found that these caregivers face dramatically increased emotional and physical stress, financial and legal troubles, employment difficulties, and feelings of isolation due to the enormous responsibility and severe lack of resources for those caring for someone who served.:
About Lake County Recorder
Becky Lynch is the 25th Lake County Recorder since 1840. Lynch was elected to office on November 8, 2016. The Recorder’s office maintains the county land records. Programs and services at the Recorder Office include the Ohio State Legislature’s Veteran I.D. Card, the Fidlar Technologies, Inc. Property Fraud Alert service, remote access to documents online through Laredo Select and website access to search documents by way of the Ava program. The Recorder Office is located at 105 Main Street, Painesville, Ohio and is open weekdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Recorder Public Records Room and Archives are open to the public during the same hours. Recorder Website: www.LakeCountyOhioRecorder.com.:
About the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers – the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured veterans at home. Founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being. Learn more about the Elizabeth Dole Foundation at hiddenheroes.org.:
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest high-speed internet, video, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts.:
Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.:
About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.:
About National Association of Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, serving nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to:
- Advocate county priorities in federal policymaking
- Promote exemplary county policies and practices
- Nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks
- Optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and
- Enrich the public’s understanding of county government
