Funding

We can accept donations via Square, Paypal, or check. For us to be able to use 100% of your donation, please consider mailing a check as other payment types include overhead. Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity [EIN 47-3599680] and your contribution may be tax deductible. Please contact a tax professional to determine eligibility. Please send your checks to:

Matthew Patton Foundation
P.O. Box 797
Bristol, RI 02809

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Thank you for your support.

Donations and Expenses for CY2015

The Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity [EIN 47-3599680].

August 2015 - $100 John and Lynn Patton

August 2015 - $15,000 North Congregational Church, Fall River, MA.

September 2015 - $5.00 Evan Patton

September 2015 - $5.00 John Patton

September 2015 - $20.00 Wendy and Brian Almeida

September 2015 - $10.00 Zach Millard

September 2015 - $10.00 Anna McAdam

October 2015 - $50.00 Anonymous

November 2015 - $100.00 Marc Thomas

November 2015 - $100.00 Nancy Ann

November 2015 - $50.00 Heather A Viveiros

December 2015 - $1000.00 Crossfit 508 Gym

December 2015 - $25.00 Anonymous

March 2016 - $10.00 John Patton

Thank you all for your generosity!!!!

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2015*

TOTAL DONATION FUNDS CY2015: $16,485.00

EXPENSES CY2015

Salaries

President and CEO - $0 (Salary deferred)

Secretary - $0 (Salary deferred)

Treasurer - $0 (Salary deferred)

Chairman of the Board - $0 (Salary deferred)

Board of Directors - $0 (Salary deferred)

Overhead - $0

Website design - $0 (Teresa Dubois deferred pay for website design)

Software for creating website - $513.34

Domain, SSL, and Server use* - $947.59

Incorporation fees* - $400.00

Bank Fees - $5.42

Meals - $184.90

Mileage - $40.32

Advertising

Facebook - $1,002.06

Promotional events: $78.92

Promotional materials (ex., business cards): $2,186.66

*These monies were needed to obtain incorporation (EIN) and IRS nonprofit approval (filing state and federal paperwork) and to develop and go live with the website on March 26, 2015.

TOTAL EXPENSES CY2015: $5,408.21

TOTAL DONATION FUNDS REMAINING FOR CY2016: $11,076.79

What we accomplished with your donations:

Trip to Hanscom AFB December 28, 2016 to meet with leadership to arrange suicide prevention talks with MA NG Soldiers.
Trip to Hanscom AFB February 17, 2016 for suicide prevention talk with MA NG Soldiers.
Countless hours:

Researching, writing, and updating content for the TBI, PTSD, depression, SUD, and suicide sections
Researching and summarizing articles for MPF website
Researching likeminded nonprofits and communicating with leadership for monthly spotlights (ex., #22KILL)
Researching and collaborating with other nonprofit personnel (ex., Home Base) to find treatment options for Soldiers and Veterans
Researching local area resources (ex., nonprofits) for those who requested help for specific needs (anonymous)
Sharing research and insight about suicide prevention with interested parties (ex., Deputy Director of Joining Forces and Director of Resiliency) via email and teleconferences
Supporting Service members, Veterans, and their Families via text, email, and telephone 24/7
Generating ideas for MPF fundraisers

Attending events to promote MPF

Run for the Fallen RI September 26, 2015
Project New Hope November 7, 2015
Camp Valhalla February 30, 2016
Hero Stars February 26, 2016

*Our accomplishments while creating MPF that occurred prior to achieving official incorporation and nonprofit status required use of our personal monies for funding. They include:

Trip to Fort Hood August 22, 2014 for suicide prevention talk with 475 Soldiers
Trip to Fort Bragg January 30, 2015 for suicide prevention talk with approximately 30 Soldiers
Trip to Fort Bragg March 6, 2015 for suicide prevention talk with approximately 30 Soldiers.

We would like to thank Teresa Dubois for designing our website free-of-charge, Belinda Sykes Formento for summarizing articles and tirelessly promoting MPF, Heather A Vivieros for helping with donations, and a special thanks to Beverly L. Franklin for dragging me out of the house to network, fundraise, and promote MPF.

Thank you to our family, military families, and friends for loving and supporting us. We could not do this without you.

Donations and Expenses for CY2016

The Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity [EIN 47-3599680].

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2016

TOTAL DONATION FUNDS CY2016: $8175.10

EXPENSES CY2016

Salaries

President and CEO - $0 (Salary deferred)

Secretary - $0 (Salary deferred)

Treasurer - $0 (Salary deferred)

Chairman of the Board - $0 (Salary deferred)

Board of Directors - $0 (Salary deferred)

Overhead - $0

Software for maintaining website - $513.34

Domain, SSL, and Server use* - $0.00

Computer/Communications Equipment - $2485.60

Incorporation fees/or changes to Board structure* - $25.00

Risk Management Expense - $2009.00

Bank Fees - $0.00

Meals - $348.28

Mileage car - $44.18

Flights - $450.46

Hotel fees - $1536.93

Advertising

Facebook - TBA

Promotional events: $2650.00

Promotional materials (ex., business cards): $530.33

TOTAL EXPENSES CY2016: $12,237.12

TOTAL DONATION FUNDS REMAINING FOR CY2016: $9,450.75

Fundraising

This year we had three fundraising events:

September 13 we held our first fundraiser at Peter Sebring’s Bristol Oyster Bar. Thanks to Peter and his staff for a wonderful evening. We also want to thank WPRI TV and Walt Buteau who reported on the tragedy of Military suicide and our efforts to reduce the rate of suicide.

December 3 saw our second fundraiser at the local VFW. Thanks to Karl Antonevich, Armand Pereira and the gang at VFW A.C. Almeida Post 837; Tyler and Ryan Falcoa; George Simmons (our DJ for the night) and Paul Mancini of Leo's Ristorante.

On December 11, we participated in the Alternative Giving Project at Bristol's First Congregational Church; received many donations and promoted MPF and what we do. Thanks to our donors and a special thank you to Bob Greer who shepherded us through the process.

Alliances

After reaching out to the White House, we were referred to the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO). As Gold Star parents of a suicide, DSPO realizes the contribution we can make to their efforts to reduce the rate of suicide among Active Duty and Veteran Service members, and MPF is now serving as consultants to DSPO.

Visit June 20 to DC to meet with DSPO personnel; Deputy director and Director of Education and Outreach. They acknowledged that they apply the same suicide theory and use a Public Health Model as MPF uses and invited us back to meet with the Director, Dr. Keita Franklin.
Met with Dr. Franklin in Boston. Meeting went very well and that we should let her know when were in the DC area.
Participated in DSPO Suicide Prevention Awareness month kick-off event at the Pentagon on September 7.

Invited to be on the MA-RI tactical team for Stride and Ride Relay to be held in October 2017. Provided Heather at Stride and Ride with promotional write-ups to help publicize the event and enlist participants.

April 4: Went to Patriot Riders meeting to tell our story and describe what MPF does. Talked about doing a potential fundraiser.

September 24: Travelled to Jim Thorpe, PA to help another nonprofit in PA Outdoors Veterans Camp.

November 14: Spoke with Rolling Thunder RI Chapter to thank them for what they did for us in the Bristol 4th of July parade. They stopped the parade, got off their bikes and paid tribute to Matthew. Gave us a star from a retired flag. Talked about fundraising.

Community Level

September 23: Did a suicide prevention talk at Natick Soldier Systems Center. We had great feedback such as “That was the best suicide prevention talk I have ever heard.” At this talk, we met Paul Carew (Massachusetts Veterans Service Officer) who loved the talk so much he asked for our participation in his monthly suicide prevention panels throughout MA, and have since participated in three suicide prevention panels in Natick (1 panel) and Marlborough (2 panels).

RIARNG newsletter Editor SFC Jim Duncanson of the 243rd Regiment asked the CEO to write monthly articles, and these started in October 2016. They have been sent to Veterans all over the country and DSPO to overwhelmingly positive feedback.

February 18: Spoke at Bristol Rotary club, where we received many insightful questions and several offers for assistance. Again, thanks to Bob Greer for arranging this appearance, and to MaryJo Fidalgo-Tavares for inviting us to speak to her chapter.

Individual Interactions

Used social media to find missing active-duty and Veterans. In one week, we found three out of five alive, which five years ago would not have happened. We would have lost all five. To date we have saved 20 lives that we know of and hopefully there are a lot more we haven’t heard about.

Have hosted Veterans and Active duty at our facility multiple times to listen their story or as respite care from their life circumstances.

Assisted Active Duty Navy with Captain's Mast and not having to take substance abuse classes after bringing empty liquor bottles aboard ship after liberty.

Have been working with a National Guard Soldier for over a year, got him a good team (psychiatrist, Primary Care Physician, and therapist), the correct medications, regular phone calls to chat and make sure he was safe, and visits whenever needed. This Soldier was referred to us from the suicide prevention talk at Hanscom Air Force Base during our first year.

For a homeless veteran in Ohio, contacted homeless shelters, churches and non-profits in his area to try to find him housing assistance. Ultimately, we contacted his VA/HUF representative and pressured her to do her job to get him a place to live and assistance with his utilities. He has also been given information on how to log on and navigate the VA's My HealtheVet to view appointments, send messages to his doctors, refill meds and file claims on there or DAV.

Assisted a spouse in getting her Army Veteran husband set up at the VA where he could receive care from them instead of his private insurance for dermatitis and issues with his back as a result of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assisted a now discharged Sailor in navigating the transition to civilian life. He is now out of the Navy with an honorable discharge, his GI Bill and use of the VA.

Donations and Expenses for CY2017

The Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity [EIN 47-3599680].

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2017

Salaries

President and CEO - $0 (Salary deferred)

Secretary - $0 (Salary deferred)

Treasurer - $0 (Salary deferred)

Chairman of the Board - $0 (Salary deferred)

Board of Directors - $0 (Salary deferred)

Overhead - $262.75 (PO Box and Wheelchair)

Software for maintaining website - $0

Domain, SSL, and Server use* -$571.33

Computer/Communications Equipment - $0

Incorporation fees/or changes to Board structure* -$22.00

Risk Management Expense - $0

Bank Fees - $8.30

Meals - $0

Mileage car - $462.44

Flights - $1067.92

Hotel fees - $1212.51

Advertising

Facebook - $1260.00

Promotional events: $0

Promotional materials (ex., business cards): $1019.65

TOTAL EXPENSES CY2017: $ 5886.90

DONATIONS FOR CY2017:

$500 from Alan and Kathy Tyler

$500 from NUWC Code 85

$100 from Evan and Allison in Honor of SGT Matthew S Patton

$6000.00 from Billy L. and June O. Patton In Honor of SGT Matthew S Patton

$100 from William Finn

$50 from Edward Guida

$222 from MHHS/Woonsocket Hocky Game Parents

$14 from Anonymous

$125 from Anonymous

$45 from Anonymous

$130 from Anonymous

$200 from Steven Bordonaro

$5 from Anonymous

$50 from Margaret Gotor

$100 from Evan Patton

$50 from Joshua Patton

$25 from Allisin Allen in Honor of Christian Fortune

$25 from Anne Archibald in Honor of Bill and June Patton

$20 from Nancy D'Addio in Honor of Matthew D'Addio

$50 from Ruth Fisher

$25 from Mildred Grant

$50 from Charlotte Griffith

$50 Katherine Harcourt

$50 from Jennifer Johnson

$50 from Sharon Key in Honor of Charles and Robert Meachum

$250 from Mark Johnson and Grace Steere

$25 from Suzanne Moreira

$30 from Mary Parella

$50 from Sandra Patterson

$50 from Lynne Ramos in Honor of Scott Wilson

$10 from Barbara and Jack Ringland

$50 from Ann and Martin Roussal

$200 from Kate Sparrow

$50 from Paul Temple in Honor of Sarah Braden

$500 from Charles Tupper Jr.

$50 from John and Sharon Tyler

TOTAL DONATIONS FOR CY2017: $9,831.00

TOTAL FUNDS REMAINING FOR CY2018: $13,447.35

Accompishments based on our public health approach to end Stigma, reduce risk factors, and stop Military suicide working alongside our likeminded Nonprofits.

We continued many of the work and accomplishments we started with since MPFs inception, but specifically this past calendar year (March 26, 2017-March 25, 2018) we accomplished the following per our public health approach to suicide prevention:

NATIONAL LEVEL

Invited to participate on Congressman David Cicillini’s Veteran’s Advocacy subcommittee to prevent Veteran Suicide. One of our ideas regarding recruitment policies is up for consideration at this time. A conference meeting has been set for March 28 to hear the results of any policy change.

As a result of that conference, we are now in the process of partnering with a National Organization called PsychAmor, which has 100’s of courses to help civilians’ understand military culture as well as courses with subject matter that follows what we have on our website. They will embed these courses in the appropriate fact section. In addition, once John and I (as well as anyone on our board) take four courses PsychArmor requires, we will be official partners in the same groups with other largely known organizations like Gary Senise’ Foundation.

Contacted by film producer and director for DMVA Honey Shewbert to use our story for a suicide prevention story to be aired on AFN. DSPO was also interested in this footage for a PSA. We flew to Washington DC to meet with Honey and her film staff as well as Ms. Wendy Lakso, Director of Engagement for DSPO to discuss what they were looking for and if we would be comfortable with it. The meeting was extremely lighthearted and successful. We gave them the go ahead.

Filmed footage May 1 and 2 for the DoD piece using our story for a suicide prevention message to be aired on AFN. First aired on Nov 3^;see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4EW4W2q6I. Has been viewed by over 6200 Service members and friends. Have received positive feedback from friends and Service members who knew Matthew. DSPO also used this footage for a PSA ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqi-KtFPRuI).

Invited by Dr. Keita Franklin to attend the first DoD/VA BeThere conference in Denver, CO in August. There were over 1300 attendees all stakeholders doing the job to end stigma and stop military suicide. We had many networking opportunities and handed out the ice cream articles, which almost everyone took because of the intrigue about the titles. We attended several small lectures mainly dealing with partnerships and learning how we could work with others to help fulfill our mission.

COMMUNITY LEVEL

Gave talk at Thanks for Yanks dinner Sept 11th with Dr Keita Franklin (Director of Defense Suicide Prevention Office) and Ms. Wendy Lakso (Director of Engagement at DSPO) attending. Viewed the DoD story and offered suggestions to improve the message.

Contacted by Christina Myers from channel 6 to do one of her monthly ACB6 Honors stories to air in September for suicide awareness month. These stories are about Veterans who still continue to serve our country after they retire from the military. In our case she interviewed us about Matthew’s exemplary service, his suicide, and how we turned this tragedy into something positive by forming MPF.

To fulfill our mission to work alongside and promote other likeminded groups working to prevent military suicide, we introduced Christina to other Veterans. I introduced her to Heather A. Viveiros, visionary for Stride and Ride, along with Veteran David Fall. Christina interviewed David about Stride and Ride and what it stood for….honoring all those we have lost to the physical and psychological wounds of war and First Responders to air in November. Next told Christina about Paul Carew, who she interviewed about his amazing post-service accomplishments for her December story.

Story by Mark Patinko about Matthew, we as parents of a suicide, and how we have positively changed a tragedy into MPF and saving lives.

We continued all year working throughout MA holding suicide prevention panels. We finally had our first RI panel Nov 3rd with a great turnout at the Hope street VFW. Dr. Keita Franklin and Ms. Wendy Lakso from DSPO were part of our panel and gave updates on what the DoD and VA are doing to reduce suicide. This panel was a great success.

From this panel, we were invited by Emily Spence who runs HEZ to participate on a multi-stakeholder project to produce a comprehensive plan to stop suicide which has spiked recently in Bristol. Surprisingly to me, with all these distinguished groups this plan will be going through MPF. Guess I am lead on how to do this. So I called an expert Dr. Keita Franklin, director of DSPO. She was excited to hear this and gave me a template we could use to create a specific plan for our town. Working on that using Veteran’s as our sample at-risk group and will present April 4th. Already have FB friend’s interested for their towns and I will walk them through it as we make progress because it is a long process to create a plan for an entire town plus at-risk groups.

We started helping Howard Berry with flag installations letting people know through the vast number of flags that there are 660 Veterans and 40 Active duty, NG, and Reservists who die by suicide every month and who are then forgotten. We designed incrementally more complicated designs for RI (2), MA(3), and CT (1).

Continued writing articles for RIARNG 243rd Regiment (RTI)'s newsletter (editor SFC James Duncanson, Jr.). First article began on Oct. 2016 and last article appeared in the March 2018 edition for a total of 19 articles to help our Service Members better understand risk factors and warning signs of suicide and how they could intervene.

INDIVIDUAL LEVEL

Continued to use social media to find missing active-duty and Veterans.

Continued to host Veterans and Active duty at our facility to listen to their stories or as respite care from their life circumstances.

Continued working with a National Guard Soldier for over two years now. The biggest risk factor he faced was financial debt for his mental health care service copays. That debt was reported to DSPO as being unacceptable and then was paid for by two great groups: Military Friends Foundation and Tough Ruck. The IRS does not allow us to provide monies to individuals, so we cannot thank these groups enough for removing this significant financial debt, and thus one risk factor for suicide for an at-risk NG Soldier.

Received a call from a homeless Veteran in California. We first tried getting her housing via the VA, that never answered our calls. After two days, we turned to Vet Centers and within 24 hours, they had our female homeless Veteran in a hotel for two weeks, set-up her appointment with HUD/VASH, supplied her with food, and gave her a $100 gift card for essentials. This removed several risk factors for suicide. Thank you Vet Centers for your help.

Advised a Vietnam Veteran with serious health issues to go to his nearest VA for emergency care. Since then he has private insurance and has chosen private care.

To date we have saved 30 lives that we know of through education and advocacy, reducing risk factors, calling police for safety checks, walking individuals by phone into the ER, answering and filling the needs of new callers, and continuing to help our ongoing clients who have called for help, plus all of the above listed activities.

Hopefully there are a lot more positives out there that we haven’t heard about.

Thanks to our Board of Directors and all who have helped us fulfill our mission this CY. We are going to create a page to name all of our supporters, affiliations, alliances, and partnerships.

Donations and Expenses for CY2018

DETAILED MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2018

The Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity [EIN 47-3599680].

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2018

Salaries

President and CEO – $0 (Salary deferred)

Secretary – $0 (Salary deferred)

Treasurer – $0 (Salary deferred)

Chairman of the Board – $0 (Salary deferred)

Board of Directors – $0 (Salary deferred)

Office – $236

Software for maintaining website – $0

Domain, SSL, and Server use – $0

Computer/Communications Equipment – $0

Incorporation fees/or changes to Board structure – $22

Donations and Grants – $93

Risk Management Expense – $2245

Bank Fees – $4

Meals – $64

Rental car – $515

Parking – $25

Lodging – $483

Survey – $2503

Advertising

Facebook – $0

Promotional events – $0

Promotional materials (ex., business cards) – $0

TOTAL EXPENSES CY2018: $ 6190

DONATIONS FOR CY2018: Year ending March 25, 2019: $10,585 TOTAL DONATIONS

Matthew Patton Foundation Donor List

Over $2,000

Estate of Billy L Patton

$1,000 – $2,000

Evan & Allison Patton

Network for Good⁽¹⁾

$500 – $1,000

Charles Tupper Jr

Stride and Ride

Combined Federal Campaign⁽²⁾

Mary Martin	Chris Tompsett
Nicole Rinaudo	Michael Visich
Jeremy Russell	Jennifer Wisse
Paul Schmitt

$100 -- $500

Melanie Bolthouse	John & Sharon Tyler
Christine Frizzell	Anonymous
Alan & Kathy Tyler

To $100

Candy Allesandro	Katherine Harcourt & Amy Halt
AMICA	Jennifer & Chris Johnson
Ann Archibald	Shirley Mello
Denise & Bob Arsenault	Mary Parella
Glenn Donovan	Sandy Patterson
Mildred Grant	Lynne Ramos

(1) Network for Good is a Donor-directed charity. This level represents anonymous donations to the Matthew Patton Foundation through Network for Good.

(2) The Combined Federal Campaign allows federal employees and retirees to donate to selected charities and is similar to a Donor-directed charity.

Accomplishments based on our public health approach to end Stigma, reduce risk factors, and stop Military suicide working alongside our likeminded Nonprofits.

We continued many of the work and accomplishments we started with since MPFs inception, but specifically this past calendar year (March 26, 2018-March 25, 2019) we accomplished the following per our public health approach to suicide prevention:

NATIONAL

Met with SEN Whitehouse’s aide to talk about MPF’s mission and successes. Also discussed, as parents of a child who died by suicide, ideas for legislation to help prevent suicide. Later received a request from his aide to speak with a mother who lost her son to suicide.
Continued participation on Congressman David Cicilline’s Veteran’s Advocacy Council’s Subcommittee to prevent Veteran Suicide.
Attended the Congressman’s annual BBQ and resource fair at Goddard Park to educate those present about MPF and network with other likeminded nonprofits.
Partnered with Psycharmor, which provides free classes for all to learn about and better serve Service members, Veterans and their Families.
Researched and connected with likeminded nonprofits and their leadership. Contacted Erik from American Corporate Partners in NY. Thank you Margaret Zervins for the introduction. His organization provides one year mentorships for transitioning Service members at corporations including fortune 500 companies. Wrote article about what they do, which you can find on our home page under latest news.
Brain storm sessions with Marsha from HEAT Factory on several areas to better identify gray areas in both of our strategies to helping Veterans. At some point, they would like to have a meeting with us in person to pursue some joint partnership possibilities.
Used social media to find missing Active-duty Service members and Veterans.
Supported Service members, Veterans, and their Families via text, email, and telephone 24/7

STATE

Continued participation on the RI Suicide Prevention Coalition with Travis Vendetti (DOH). This coalition works on policy related to all areas of suicide prevention.
Continued meetings with VA Suicide Prevention Coalition one Friday/month. This provides great networking and introduction to new nonprofits and other entities looking to reduce Military suicide.
Researched and collaborated with other nonprofit personnel to find treatment options for Service members and Veterans. Doing this helped spark the idea of having a New England Summit to join likeminded nonprofits in the northeast to form a network, so none of our Military can fall though the cracks This will be planned during CY2019-2020 for possible 2020 or 2021 event.
Interviewed by Bryant student for article in Dare to Dream Ranch’s Military R.I.S.E. magazine. This article described MPFs origin, mission, and successes. This magazine serves as a conduit for programs for our Military. Thank you to Karen Dalton for recognizing us.
Worked with Veteran Assemble Electronics (VaE) to educate former MAARNG Soldier. Had him apply for a scholarship from Veterans Assembled Electronics (VaE). It required him to write an essay which won him the five month scholarship to learn, participate, and take exams to become certified in multiple electronic technician areas. He accomplished this in less time allotted. Now works quality assurance for a Navy contractor. He is saving money to move out our home and start his life post service. We look at VaE as a valuable organization for Service members and Veterans.
Received a call from Scott Jamieson newly elected President of the RI VFW Auxiliary. Informed us he gets to choose a nonprofit for which to raise money during his year of tenure. He picked MPF because what we do is near and dear to his heart. We will not know what he raised until next CY.
From this association, we met Deanna Siano. She asked us to do a radio show called Veteran’s Hour with Dan Lapointe. Did a broadcast during September, which is suicide awareness month. We talked about the origin and mission of MPF, our programs, our successes, and various subject matter pertaining to suicide prevention for our Military. They support our mission and message and we have an open invitation to return.
Participated on the tactical team for Stride and Ride Relay October 2017. Throughout the year helped publicize the event, enlist participants, and travelled the 8 day event from Boston, MA to Washington, DC
To fulfill our mission to work alongside and promote other likeminded groups working to prevent military suicide, we introduced Christina Myers from ABC6 to other Veterans for her ABC6 Honors segment. Also introduced her to Heather A. Viveiros, visionary for Stride and Ride Relay, now an event to fund Give2Those. Flew Christine down to the Pentagon for the final ceremony
Attended golf tournament to support Stride and Ride Inc. now named Give2Those.
Attended 1st Annual Freedom Flag 5K to support Give2Those.
Sang national anthem at Richard Hall’s special freedom Friday held on a July 4th in CT.
Went to NH to meet and support Howard latest flag installation at DV farms.
Attending events to promote MPF-Places we had our table??????
Went to Rolling thunder MA CH2 fundraiser to support their club and gave a suicide prevention talk with them later in the year.
Joined Missy Ames co-director of the RI Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) at events. Had table at her Goddard Park walk.
Invited to speak at the regional Gold Star mother convention. Went well. Have speech video-taped.

COMMUNITY

From the suicide prevention panel, we were invited by Emily Spence who runs Bristol Health Equity Zone (HEZ) to participate on a multi-stakeholder project to produce a comprehensive plan to stop suicide which has spiked recently in Bristol. Over the year helped design and fight for a sign to be placed on the Bristol side of bridge. That is still in the works. And started a new project to develop a suicide prevention plan for Bristol at the end of next calendar year. We made the proposal and MPF designated as point for this project by Walter Murphy. Worked closely with Emily Spence, Travis Vendetti, Corinna Noel, and Evan Patton as well as other stakeholders, to develop a health and wellness survey to be hosted by our website. We designed a postcard to inform Bristol residents about the survey and how to access it. Cards sent out Jan 9th with good response. Preliminary results showed need for more support groups and need to know where to go for services. Preliminary results were given at end of this calendar year. Waiting for final results at the beginning of our next calendar year.
Met with Dave Seamen’s who asked about starting a support group. Have had several more talks about this.
December 11, we participated in the Alternative Giving Project at Bristol's First Congregational Church; received many donations and promoted MPF and what we do. Thanks to our donors and a special thank you to Sandra Patterson who shepherded us through the process.
Shared research and insight about suicide prevention with interested parties.
Attended end of year ceremony of HEZs health and wellness programs. We had table with good traffic.

INDIVIDUAL

Continued working with a National Guard Soldier for over three years now. This Soldier was referred to us from the suicide prevention talk at Hanscom Air Force Base during our first calendar year. Up until this calendar year we continued regular phone calls, made sure he was safe, and had visits whenever needed. Eventually, we took him in for living, financial, and supportive reasons. The biggest risk factor he faced was financial debt for his mental health care service copays, loss of job, and eventually a medical discharge from the MAARNG. We helped him obtain health insurance, find a good healthcare team (psychiatrist, Primary Care Physician, and therapist), and take the correct medications. He is stable at the moment working and making friends. See *VaE under STATE for education and job status.
VA Help
- Finished two year project of getting a Veteran’s DD214 changed from other than honorable to honorable. Assisted in getting him established with the VA. Once established, he needed assistance with his claim in Mass where he now resides. Worked with Lynn for him to have representation there through partnerships for him claims to be filed. His claims are now complete.
- Worked with him to file his claims after a drastic disappointment from the VA and him spending 6 months at the Salvation Army for substance abuse. He was away from his wife and 5 children during that period. Worked in conjunction with a rep from PVA as a favor from me to push though all of his claim. He is now at 100%. His outlook on life has completely changed and a emotional and financial burden has been lifted off of his wife’s shoulders.
- Worked with his wife after a 10 year battle with the VA over claims to complete his paperwork for the SAH grant. His claim has been approved. He is in the beginning stages of having his construction done.
- Dan acquired from his physical therapist. Actively working with him and his girlfriend. We have secured an appointment with a VA neurologist who specializes in his disease with the hopes of completing claims for aid and attendance and a specialty adaptive vehicle.
- Swapped information with John at Paralyzed Veterans on VASH program for homeless veterans.
- Assisted a social worker at the VA with information on the VASH program and other VA programs of assistance for a veteran who was inpatient for more than 2 years because he had broken water lines in his home so it was uninhabitable. Also referred the veteran to Semper Fi Fund who actively contributes to repairs on the outside of people’s homes. Veteran was able to have repairs done and return home.

To date we have saved 33 lives that we know of through education and advocacy, reducing risk factors, calling police for safety checks, walking individuals by phone into the ER, answering and filling the needs of new callers, and continuing to help our ongoing clients who have called for help, plus all of the above listed activities.

Thanks to our Board of Directors and volunteers who have helped us fulfill our mission this CY. Special thanks to Christina Myers from ABC6 news for her interest in promoting our mission.

Donations and Expenses for CY2019

DETAILED MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2019

The Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity [EIN 47-3599680].

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2019

Salaries

President and CEO – $0 (Salary deferred)

Secretary – $0 (Salary deferred)

Treasurer – $0 (Salary deferred)

Chairman of the Board – $0 (Salary deferred)

Board of Directors – $0 (Salary deferred)

HOW DONATIONS WERE USED FOR CY2019 and CY2020

Accomplishments based on our public health approach to end Stigma, reduce risk factors, and stop Military suicide working alongside our likeminded Nonprofits.

We continued much of the work and accomplishments we began since MPFs inception, but during CY2019 to CY2020, operations changed and moved in large part toward online activities secondary to covid; therefore, we are combining both years in this report. We accomplished the following per our public health approach to suicide prevention:

NATIONAL

Worked with national organizations for state and community events.

Participated in many SAMHSA virtual meetings for Governor’s Challenge and others. Took the following webinars: 2020 VA/SAMHSA Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Virtual Policy Academy; RAND: Designing a Plan with Sound Data and Measures, GTO; VA/SAMHSA Virtual Evaluation Conference: Keeping Your SMVF Suicide Prevention Efforts on Track, September 1-3; Module 1 (Pre-Academy Site Visit): Week of February 15, Module 2 (RAND Web-Based Session): Week of March 1. Other webinars include: Creating a Better Workplace Environment to Support our Service Members, Veterans and their Families; SAMHSA Tribal TTA Center Webinar: Stories for Healing—Digital Storytelling for Veterans.

Worked with Missy Ames co-director of the RI Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) at events. Had resource table at Goddard Park walk, participated in AFSP Talk Saves Lives Breakfast and Mental Health Matters community conversation, served as panelist at a survivor support event and discussed how to find hope after a loss, attended Suicide Prevention Legislative Day at the RI STATEHOUSE.

In lieu of face-to-face venues and to take advantage of down time, attended various seminars and educational events to continue learning about military culture, mental health/well-being, etc.: Attended PREVENTS Town Hall zoom with Syracuse University; Substance and opioid use disorders in the military; Suicide Prevention: Helping Others Hold On

Supported Service members, Veterans, and their Families via text, email, and telephone 24/7

STATE

Attended and had resource table at Sen. Whitehouse’s breakfast for Veterans.

Participated on Congressman David Cicilline’s Veteran’s Advocacy Council’s Subcommittee to prevent Veteran Suicide. Suspended due to Covid. Starting again.

Continued working with Jeff Hill (RIDOH) on the RI Governor’s Challenge Team.

Attended monthly meetings of Governor’s PAC after RI Suicide Prevention Coalition disbanded.

Continued meetings with VA Suicide Prevention Coalition one Friday/month. This provides great networking and introduction to new nonprofits and other entities looking to reduce Military suicide.

REGIONAL

# BeThere Conference for Service Members, Veterans & Families: Strengthening Communities Virtual Event. Attended the Northern event. For Southern event (RI, CT, MA). Invited to serve as panelist, bit event was cancelled due to covid. Rescheduled in condensed version when we were mentioned for our work in suicide prevention.

Participated on the tactical team for Stride and Ride Relay October 2019. Attended monthly meetings to plan event. Donated water, peanut butter, jelly and bread. We started the event, but unfortunately, could not finish due to injury.

Met with Doc (The Curahee Project) and Amy (Habitat for Humanity) at NE Tech to talk to students who are Veteran’s. Discussed various topics.

Drove to PA to meet Sarah Wargo, whose son died by suicide and to tour and learn about Valor House, a nonprofit working to help Veteran’s in all aspects of need.

Invited by Nathan Stein, Suicide prevention coordinator at the VA, to Serve as a panelist after watching The S Word.

Attended a photo shoot in Florida with another GSM. Fulfilled our mission to help Family members and talk about suicide prevention.

Attended Brain Day which is an annual conference devoted solely to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Met with suicide prevention coordinators for RIARNG. Interview went well for us to potentially speak to Soldiers about suicide prevention. Never received response.

Served as panelist on Paul Carew’s suicide prevention event.

Chosen by President Deanne Siano as her Presidents pet project. We will know more during the upcoming calendar year.

Visited interested nonprofits for summit: Homes for the Brave (CT), Nathan Hale Foundation (MA), Dare to Dream Ranch (RI). All others were cancelled secondary to Covid.

Participated on WBLQs Veteran’s Hour radio show in September and December.

Created ppt based on website content and developed test for anyone who works for us to take.

COMMUNITY

Invited by Emily Spence who runs Bristol Health Equity Zone (HEZ) to participate on a multi-stakeholder project to produce a comprehensive plan to stop suicide which has spiked recently in Bristol, etc…UPDATE…Suicide rates in Bristol decreased.

Attended BHEZ Rally for Recovery which celebrates the end of summer activities for suicide prevention and mental health recovery initiatives. Had resource table.

Partnered with Bristol Police and Bristol Health Equity zone for a gun buyback event. One hundred guns are now off the streets of Bristol.

Worked with an intern from Roger William’s University. She attended meetings, made flyers, focused on SUD and wrote letters to all RI Senators and Representatives about bridge barriers for Mt. Hope Bridge.

Attended Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Resource Fair

Participated in the Alternative Giving Project at Bristol's First Congregational Church both years; received donations and promoted MPF and what we do. Thanks to our donors and a special thank you to Sandra Patterson who shepherded us through the process.

Planned and implemented a successful bingo fundraiser at Bristol VFW.

INDIVIDUAL

Continued follow-up with a National Guard Soldier that we began helping over five years ago. He has had ups and downs over the last two years, but currently is stable and looking for work.

Helped a local Veteran find a car, which he used to drive to work that is many miles away.

Veteran 1 : Working to complete paperwork for change in status on DD214 from other than honorable to honorable. If successful, he can fulfil his wish to rejoin the military.

Veteran 2: Worked with him a couple of years back to get his claims filed. He received his 100% but not total and permanent. The VA has since decided that he has improved greatly after a 5-minute conversation with a contractor who has never served or seen combat. We are filing an additional claim for his broken leg while in the Army that hasn’t been filed because he was at 100%. We’re also filing for unemployability because he isn’t stable enough to work. He has fallen into another depression which leads to his family suffering as well. Will continue to work to get him taken care of into 2021.

Veteran 3: SAH grant paperwork done and home remodel completed to make the home handicap accessible. Part of the burden has been taken off his wife due to him having a handicap accessible home. Since his remodel, he has also been diagnosed with cancer. Have worked with his wife to file Aid and Attendance to pay her for some of the care that she currently provides. The VA has thrown the paperwork out (3) times with no explanation. The 4^th is currently awaiting a decision.

Veteran 4: Veteran with Graves’ Disease. We have physically moved him from one home into another that is more accessible for him. We are currently working with PVA who is his representative to file for his SAH housing grant to make his new residence handicap accessible so he will be able to stay in his home longer instead of a long-term care facility.

Veteran 5: Served as liaison between the contractor and his wife. They were staying in their Ohio home while a SAH remodel was done in their home. His wife would make arrangements with the contractor for us to meet with them and the VA in her place. Resolved issues with the contractor and the VA for them so his wife wouldn’t have to keep flying back and forth. Hosted and organized video chats between the (3) parties. This project is on hold due to misappropriations from the contractor. Also assisted his wife in signing up for both bowel and bladder care for him.

Veteran 6: Currently working with her to file paperwork to change her DD214 and hopefully get a false sodomy charge removed from her military record. She has all of the documentation needed from witnesses from that day who will exonerate her and proof that the person(s) who reported the incident were further than the naked eye could physically see. This would be a life changing moment for her. She currently has to tell anywhere she applies for a job about the sodomy charge.

Veteran 7: This gentleman became ill toward the end of 2020. He and his wife contacted us for assistance. They put him in the hospital to run tests for a pinched ocular nerve but tests ruled that diagnosis out. He was diagnosed with MS a week before Christmas. We have been able to give them direction and peace of mind. We gave them the names and phone numbers of competent doctors and had her ask for those specific doctors. We were able to calm their fears and help them read through all of the test results and give them guidance as to what to do next. We have successfully gotten him set up on the same infusion treatment another Vet receives. We continue to give them support and will long into the future.

Veteran 8: Helped husband and wife veterans. Filed a successful claim for the husband for urinary difficulties due to the military. It increased his rating to 80%. We guided his wife through testing for a stroke and MS. She has since gotten a diagnosis of a nerve disease. We also filed a successful claim for her for PTSD due to MST. She had never filed the claim in the past due to embarrassment. This has improved their whole family’s lives.

Veteran 9: Attended services for a Veteran who died by suicide. Will continue to provide support to the family.

Veteran 10: Contacted by a Vietnam era veteran who had never used the VA, who now needs medical care. Worked on getting him enrolled with the VA so he could receive medical care. In the end, the veteran was unwilling to help us in this endeavor so it goes unfinished until he changes his mind.

Veteran 11: A Navy mom’s son died by suicide not long after leaving the Navy. We set her up with another GSM, who understood what she was going through. Attended the memorial service and organized a group of Navy moms who raised a sum of money for flowers, memorial items for the family and a $750 gift card. We helped them through their first holiday season with gifts and clothing items for the family. We filed the necessary documents with the VA for the children to start getting their benefits; this mom was granted custody of her son’s child. In the process of procuring medical care benefits from the VA for her grandson.

Veteran 12: Working with him to get his military records to prove he had a head injury with loss of consciousness during deployment. We suspect he has a TBI but the VA won’t diagnose and treat a possible TBI because they have no paperwork to show that he had sustained a head injury. Once those records are received, we will begin to file claims for his PTSD and his possible TBI.

Veteran 12: Completed and filed claims for PTSD, back issues and knee issues from his time in the Navy. It took a significant length of time for him to complete his impact statement of what he had seen and done that caused the PTSD. (We always encourage them to take their time and do it little by little or incident by incident so as not to cause a PTSD flair, night terrors. etc.). He is now rated at 80% disabled. He can pay his bills and still have a little money left over to live on while he completes college. He is now in a comfortable position; therefore, his anxiety has lessened.

Veteran 13: This Veteran, in his 20’s now, developed thyroid issues. This condition was not taken care of in a timely manner, so his PTSD began to flair. We helped him navigate the VA system and explained how to relay the information to the VA. They have since done testing and are currently working to get his thyroid and other endocrine matters. The VA is currently working to take care of these issues. His PTSD is back in check.

Veteran 14: This wife of a Veteran who passed away never received her widow’s benefits; she was told she wasn’t eligible. During the past year, we successfully filed a claim for her benefits. To do this we had to track down the marriage license and other documentation for the VA that were 75+ years old. We possess every document the VA wanted. Her final paperwork is ready for her signatures and will be submitted back to the VA.

Veteran 15: This Veteran is a female double amputee. She never applied for her R2 (loss of use) of lower extremities. She had asked her psychologist to write a DBQ (letter from a VA doctor) entailing her injuries and how it affects her daily life. We found that currently the VA is not allowing VA doctors to write them, therefore we need to get files from her so we can file the R2 ourselves.

Thanks to our Board of Directors, advisory board and volunteers who have helped us fulfill our mission for both CY2019 and CY 2020.

Donations and Expenses for CY2020

DETAILED MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2020

The Matthew Patton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity [EIN 47-3599680].

DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF MPF SPENDING PRACTICES FOR CY2020