Sarasota Pledges Support Of Military, Veteran Caregivers As Hidden Heroes City

SARASOTA, FL — The city of Sarasota has pledged its support to local military and veteran caregivers by signing on as a Hidden Heroes City, joining a network of more than 160 communities nationwide committed to identifying military caregivers and increasing awareness and support.

The program is part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign launched in 2016 by Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Campaign Chair Tom Hanks and about 200 military caregivers representing every U.S. state, the city said in a news release.

Hidden Heroes raises awareness about the issues military caregivers face, connects them to a community of their peers, and brings critical resources to the nation’s “hidden heroes” caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans.

“If we want to be a nation that truly cares for those who have borne the battle, we must also be a nation that cares for our caregivers,” Hanks said.

Sarasota joined the campaign as the 169th community to sign on as a Hidden Heroes Community, one of the campaign's key national initiatives designed to develop military caregiver resources at a local level.

Each Hidden Heroes City, County or State signs on to help identify local military caregivers and deepen community resources to offer them vital support.

“It is our duty and our honor to provide support for these ‘hidden heroes’ and the essential role they play in caring for Sarasota’s veterans and military members,” Mayor Hagen Brody, who brought the resolution forward at a recent Sarasota City Commission meeting, said. “We recognize the unique challenges that they face, and we pledge to do whatever we can to help them continue their critical service in our community.”

Individuals caring for someone who served, or those who wish to support the campaign can visit HiddenHeroes.org for more information.

“I have dedicated my life to this cause because I’ve seen first-hand the tremendous impact our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers make in the lives of our veterans each and every day, in neighborhoods big and small,” Dole said. “But their needs are overwhelming, and as a country, we must come together to find helpful ways to support them in their life-long journey of care.”