Funds to provide life-enhancing support for more than 340 military families
Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. Board Chairman Chuck Stocking presents the Elizabeth Dole Foundation with a check to support the Respite Relief for Military and Veteran Caregivers program at a luncheon in Washington, D.C. on October 18, 2022. Photo Credit: Katie Dance
Washington, DC (November 18, 2022) – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) and Ohio-based incontinence product manufacturer Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. (PBE) announced today that they have exceeded their joint goal for a year-long fundraising drive, with contributions totaling $295,000 to provide essential relief to America’s military and veteran caregivers.
Through EDF’s “Respite Relief for Military and Veteran Caregivers” program, which provides military caregivers a much-needed break, the funds will directly benefit an estimated 340 military families and indirectly impact more than 1,000 individuals. Respite Relief recipients – spouses, parents, relatives and friends who take care of America’s wounded, ill, and injured veterans – enjoy 16-35 hours of free help from in-home care professionals. Services may include housekeeping, cooking, meal prep, transportation, grooming, and other day to day tasks that leave caregivers with little time for themselves.
“This gift of time is critical for caregivers who typically prioritize the well-being of the person they’re caring for over their own, which leads to stress and fatigue,” said PBE Board Chairman Chuck Stocking.
According to AARP, 23% of caregivers find it hard to take care of their own health and believe caregiving has made their health worse.
“We’re so inspired by PBE’s belief and investment in veteran caregivers, our nation’s hidden heroes,” said Kirsten Feyling, EDF’s Vice President of Development and Engagement. “We’re grateful for PBE’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to address many of the hurdles veterans and their caregivers face. Through this partnership, we’re ensuring caregivers know that it’s ok to ask for help and they don’t have to take on this journey alone.”
Over the past 12 months, EDF sought donations to match a $100,000 gift from the Principle Family Fund, a philanthropic affiliate established by PBE’s founding family. The Foundation nearly doubled that goal by collecting $195,000 from donors in support of this cause.
“We wanted to help get the word out about the challenges tied to caregiving, the lack of support these individuals receive, and awareness required to have caregivers understand that it’s OK to take a break,” said Angie Williams, PBE vice president of marketing. “Partnering with the Dole Foundation aligns with our long history of employing and serving veterans.”
As part of the campaign, one Foundation Respite Relief recipient, Rob Grier, shared his story of caring for his father, an Air Force Veteran living with incontinence and other conditions in this video.
“Incontinence is significantly more common among veterans than in the general population due to their higher risk of certain disabilities and disease states. PBE is proud to offer products that help solve for their complex care needs,” Stocking said. “With 61 years of intentional innovation manufactured into our Tranquility® high-performance incontinence products, PBE has long sought to improve the caregiving experience.”
“We’re proud of the fact that over 70% of VA facilities nationwide use Tranquility products,” Williams added.
Veterans or those caring for a veteran can apply for Respite Relief and request a free Tranquility sample product kit at TranquilityProducts.com/Respite.
About the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Hidden Heroes
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 service members and 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. The Foundation’s Hidden Heroes campaign brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a network for military caregivers to connect with their peers and access carefully vetted resources. Visit hiddenheroes.org for more information.
About Principle Business Enterprises
Principle Business Enterprises (PBE), Inc., manufactures high-performance absorbent products and footwear safety solutions with applications in healthcare, industrial processing and in-home settings. PBE is a family-owned business with two locations in northwest Ohio. Founded in 1961, PBE has maintained a mission to operate as a principle-centered business that uplifts, enlightens and enriches the lives of people through an exceptional workplace environment for associates and innovative products that dramatically improve the quality of life for customers. Please visit PrincipleBusinessEnterprises.com for more information.
