It’s June 1st! It’s June 1st! I have been trying to curb my love of all things exclamation mark but the first of the month gets me excited every time and if you have followed me on It’s Just Life for any length of time you can understand why. Long ago, in April of 2011 I started Comments for a Cause on my blog. It is by far the best thing I have ever done here in the blogosphere and you are all a big part of it so thank you.
The idea is very simple. I pick a charity or cause every month to highlight. Sometimes it is a local cause that is dear to me and sometimes it is a national cause. Somehow each month the perfect one comes to mind. For every comment made on any post on my blog during the month Chris and I donate 50 cents to that cause. When I first started my very first cause was for the National Parkinson Foundation in memory of my daddy and we donated $74.50 that month. Over the years we have had donations made as high as $500 (that is my cap) and that says a lot for you folks out there who are commenting.
One of the other great things is that several others have joined in and started Comments for a Cause on their own blogs. Val of Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids and Katy of Learning As I Go are currently featuring Comments for a Cause as well so the ripples are spreading which make me smile.
This past month I chose the Prayer Shawl Ministry at my home church, First UMC in Mason City, Iowa. I have great admiration for this group of ladies who crochet prayer shawls that members can give to others who need to feel the love of God surrounding them. They are also given at baptisms at the church. What a wonderful gift, don’t you think? This month, thanks to you, we will be donating $154.50 to the ministry for them to use to purchase yarn and supplies to keep the ministry going. Thank you one and all.
During June I am going to be busy but not too busy to pick out the perfect recipient for Comments for a Cause. Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is a wonderful organization that I found out about through a blog post written by my friend, Shannon Latham, over on her company blog The Field Position. You can read that post here.
Retrieving Freedom, Inc is an organization that sees a need and is trying to bridge the gap to fill that need. They operate out of two cities with these individuals at the helm.
Senatobia, Mississippi – Led by Charles Dwyer
Waverly, Iowa – Led by Scott Dewey
Their mission statement as stated on their website is:
Where Some See Limitations, We Bring Opportunities.
The goal of Retrieving Freedom is to place and match completely trained assistance dogs with a level of commitment to the recipients that is second to none! As strong as our desire is to train the best assistance dogs, it is also to be a part of their new connection with the people that need them.
So who receives these dogs? Very simply put—3 different groups of individuals who really truly can benefit from the use of assistance dogs.
1. Veterans
2. Children with Autism
3. Adults and Children with Diabetes (recently added)
June is the perfect month to highlight Retrieving Freedom, Inc. because they are celebrating a Grand Opening of their new facility in Waverly, Iowa on June 27th. Any of you Iowa folks out there may want to attend as it looks to be a huge bash including a full day of events. There will be raffles, games, Hawgs Dogs and Hero’s Ride, and SPECTACULAR auction items. Check out the Custom Fat Bob Harley that is signed by Toby Keitb going to their Facebook page. It will sell at this event. The evening will include several awesome bands and the unveiling of the new Retrieving Freedom, Inc. rock. The facility is located a t1152 230th St Waverly, IA 50677 and the event will be from 10 am until 12 pm CDT.
Thanks to Shannon Latham for providing this graphic.
There are many videos that you can watch that will tell you more about this organization but perhaps this one below is one that will give you a really good glimpse into what this really is all about. Please take time to watch and understand why I love making this a Comments for a Cause. Don’t be shy this month. Comment like you always do and maybe more. I promise to try to respond to each and every one and I appreciate them all. Don’t forget to check out their website to find out more about how you can get involved by clicking here.
163 Comments
Leave a commentLove this cause and I love your heart that is inspired to help causes!
In my family we have veterans, a grandchild with autism and a daughter with type 1 diabetes so I am delighted to see what these sweet dogs are accomplishing.
Thank you!
It is the perfect fit for a cause, isn’t it? I love all that they do and my post just scratched the surface. Thanks for stopping by!
Very cool cause!
Thanks to Shannon!!! She highlighted it and Val and I thought it was a great one!
Another great cause I´m happy to help you support.
Thanks so much, Darlene. Isn’t it a wonderful cause? I love what they do and of course since it involves animals I am all in. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, Beth Ann. Any charity that brings service animals and people together is near and dear to my heart. I just read a wonderful post about how a service dog helped a child with autism become more verbal and calmer. What a great pick for June.
Yay! So glad you like this one, Jackie. I think it is a winner! Thank you for stopping by!
RFI is a great organization I have personally seen the response of a child with autism to his service dog and it brings a tear to your eye. Veterans with PTSD are getting their lives back with the assistance of a service dog. Please plan to attend the open house on the 27th of June. It will change your life as you see positive things taking place
It is truly amazing what these dogs can be trained to do and what organizations such as these do for those who are in need of their services. Nice choice again, Beth Ann.
So happy to be envolved with this great organization! We are blessed to be able to give back to those in need of service dogs by breeding and raising pups that will be trained for that purpose in memory of our so who died in 2012. We are excited to be involved in this adventure!
So nice to “meet” you, Gary and to know some of the peoples who are big fans of this organization. I love that you are on the “breeding” end of this great charity and know that you must be honoring your son so much by doing this in his memory. What a great way to carry his name and his memory on. Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Please stop back anytime.
What a great cause. I know that training assistance dogs can be quite costly. Thank you for all you and Chris do to help others. You are a blessing. A true blessing.
It is crazy expensive and these folks take it very seriously and are getting the dogs to the people that need them so much. Thanks for your sweet words.
What an awesome cause! Animals are truly amazing. 🙂
Thanks, Gibber. A cause you can get behind, right?
You know it. 😉
As a retired Superintendent of Schools I know full well the meaninful contribution to autistic children’s learning that Retrieving Freedom dogs have made. I wholeheartedly support this cause with time and resources. I hope you will, as well. There are many worthy causes but those that provide resources for children in need is noteworthy.
Jere, Thank you so very much for taking the time to stop by and comment. I absolutely love this charity and what they do and am so glad I found out about it. I hope that this month brings comments on not just only this post but on all my posts so we can bump up the donation! Thank you again!
RFI is a Wonderful Organization!! I think this site is a Great tribute to their hard work to help our Veterans & children with Autism!! I’m proud to support them!!!
Barbara, Thank you so very much for stopping by and commenting. I am so happy to meet all of you who are involved with RFI and read your comments. What a great thing to be able to share with those veterans and children with autism as well as the growing number of individuals with diabetes who can be helped. Thank YOU!
I have had the opportunity to witness first hand how Retrieving Freedom has given our wounded veterans and children with Autism and their families the chance to Thrive again. God Bless Retrieving Freedom.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, Cal. I love hearing from those who know first hand what the organization does. God Bless You as well!
Great cause! I’m hoping to be able to visit there sometime soon.
I would love to get there as well but not sure if it is going to happen. So glad we are teaming up again this month!
I would love to go to the open house but not sure if I can swing that or not. Thanks for sharing the love for them this month as well!
What a cool cause! This is the first I’m hearing of them, but I think it’s awesome 🙂
I found out about them from Shannon and there is a dog named Latham. 🙂 How cool is that?
Several years ago I went to see one of the helping dogs and was so surprised how the dog could do so many things to help the person that could not do any longer. I think you have done so much good with your monthly selections.
What a great cause this month!! I am in awe of all the amazing things service dogs can do to help people! The only thing my dog does to help us is bark when she sees a person walking down the street, a cat in the yard, or digs holes under the trash bins! 🙂
🙂 But you know what? I bet if your dog was trained like some of these he/she would do more. But barking at strangers is a good thing !
Our United Methodist Church in Belmond has a great group of ladies that get together and make beautiful prayer shawls for those in need of comfort. They are absolutely beautiful. I recieved one after surgery several years ago and I love mine! I have shipped several out to people in need and they are so appreciative to recieve them. Our church also attaches a special note, and that makes it even more special. It’s a great ministry to those in need!!
Dianna, Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I do love the prayer shawl ministries that are in so many churches and have been able to send so many out to people and they receive such comfort from them. Another reason to love Belmond. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by again.
Thank you for this wonderful idea to help causes like Retrieving Freedom!
Thank you, Scott, for your dedication and devotion to this fabulous charity. It is people like you who have a dream and a vision and follow through to make it a reality. Thank YOU!
Outstanding organization… Non profit and all funds are used in the raising, training and placing….
RFI is a great CAuse- thanks for your help.
Twill, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. I think we are going to have a fabulous month raising money on It’s Just Life.
You are doing a great thing to spread the word about RETRIEVING FREEDOM. They are a great organization with a warm heart and have already helped folks improve their lives.
You have such a kind heart for donating to causes! Retrieving Freedom is so special, helping those in need. Great organization.
Keegan, Thank you so much for stopping by. I am so glad to meet so many people who are passionate about RFI. It is going to be a great month.
So excited to be able to help out RFI by telling you all what a great cause you are supporting. Happy to say that 4 of our puppies are in training with RFI. Golden Dream’s Kennel is looking forward to seeing what great things those puppies will do. Thanks RFI!
Thank you Angie!
Angie, Thank you so very much. You are one of the many supporters who is lending their voice to the success of Comments for a Cause this month for this great cause. I am so excited to meet you all!
What a great site! Thanks for your support
Thanks for stopping by, Justin. Please feel free to stop back anytime and leave a comment!
Working with RFI for my leadership class at Wartburg was an amazing experience 🙂 keep doing awesome work!!
Angela, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. What an amazing opportunity you had to be able to work with RFI as part of your leadership class. Please stop by anytime and leave a comment this month!
RFI is a special prganization that deserves our support.
Susan, it is so heartwarming to hear from so many supporters. thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. It means a lot.
Thank you so much! We have recently gotten involved with RFI and are learning what a great organization it is.
Lavaun, Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. I love what RFI does and the passion that all associated with it have. Thank you!
I recently learned about RFI through the ISAAC Foundation. We have a 5yr ASD boy who LOVES dogs. He also loves to run away… I Love that there is a place like RFI to train these beautiful animals to help autistic children and veterans. How Amazing!
Autumn, Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. Please come back. Every comment on any post this month will count and I would love to make a large donation to RFI!
RFI is a wonderful orginization. I have seen how the dogs have helped the veterans!!
Sheri, Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing. I love getting to hear from all of you about what a great organization RFI is!
What a great cause RFI!
Coleen, Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate your support!
RFI is a Wonderful Organization with All funds going to train dogs for veterans, children with Autism, and just recently for diabetics too!!!
Barbara, Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your love of RFI. I am very excited to highlight them this month and love all of the groups that they are working with. Please come back anytime.
RFI is making a difference! Please plan to attend the open house on the 27th of June in Waverly, IA. It’s promising to be a great event for an even greater cause!
I am hoping I will be able to come to the open house –it sounds like such a great event and it would be wonderful to be there to see all of the great things that you guys are doing.
After working with RFI at Waverly Vet Clinic for almost a year, I am just amazed how much good they can do – and will continue to do – in our local community and across the nation. Thank you for doing this, Beth Ann!
Thank you, Rebecca, for taking the time to comment today. I love finding out all of the folks who are so passionate about this organization and it means a great deal to me that you have all taken the time to stop by. Come back and comment anytime on any post–I usually post 5 times a week so that is a lot of chances to donate 50 cents!
Retrieving Freedom is an an amazing organization and I am proud to stand behind them as they provide service dogs for those in need. I worked with them through Wartburg college and got to see first hand what a change a service dog can make. They DO change lives!
Love this group, we pick up our Autism service dog next month after a year of training
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment! I am so excited about the response on this post! Come back anytime and comment on any post! it all counts!
Thank you for picking RFI to be the recipient this month and providing such an an excellent overview, video and photos about them. This is very touching and beneficial what you are doing to help ministries and organizations. I saw your recipient last month just now, too. I received a prayer shawl from a church that is such a blessing to me.
Carol– thank you so much for stopping by. I love what RFI does. My husband and I have been blessed and this is a way to give back. Please come back anytime and leave a comment on any post. It all counts!
Thank you Beth Ann! That is very generous and beneficial in helping great organizations and ministries. like RFI. Glad to know we can comment more than one time.
Carol— I write about 5 posts each week so you can comment on ANY of them!!!! Just go to http://www.itsjustlife.me to go to main page!
RFI is such a wonderful program!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Pam! Great to meet you!
Thanks for doing this! I foster Latham and Dixie currently and also raised Ada and Top. Anyone that isn’t busy tomorrow (June 6) should come to Waverly and check out the RFI benefit horse show we are hosting at Turning Point Ridge!!
Jenna– thanks so much for stopping by! What a blessing you are!!!
RFI is the most amazing non profit I’ve had the pleasure to work with. The dogs are wonderful. The staff and volunteers are wonderful! I someday hope to be able to foster a puppy, until then I will continue to help with what I can and tell everyone i know about RFI! ❤️
Thanks, Haley for taking the time to stop by and comment. I hope that this raises some awareness for a great organization.
This is great that you are helping RFI I’ve seen multiple veterians become a new person after working with and receiving their service dogs!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Jody. What a wonderful testimony to a great organization that is truly making a difference. I love reading all the praise for RFI.
Great cause
Thanks for stopping by, Tracy. I am so thrilled to be highlighting RFI this month!
Great cause!!!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I am so excited to share RFI with my readers!
What a great cause!~ I know someone who has received one of these dogs. I know another person who helps raise these dogs. This is such a great agency.
Thanks so much for stopping by. How wonderful that you know someone who has one of these days and the bonus of knowing someone else who raises them! Amazing organization.
Research shows us that children and adults with autism spectrum disorder have a tendency to wander and are often drawn to water. Many of these situations end with unfortunate outcomes because there is noone near to support the individual in this time of need or alarm others that support is needed. Retrieving Freedom and their dogs not only allows for better safety of people with autism, but provides a friend to a group of individuals who by their very diagnosis may struggle with communication and in social settings. These animals are a blessing to people with autism, their families and our community at large. Thank you.
Thank you so much for stopping by to share your thoughts on RFI! From what everyone says it is a top notch organization and i am thrilled to be a small part of them this month!
Thank you so much. I am one of the foster homes and have been working and training one of the dogs and it is a truly amazing organization. I am so happy to be apart of it and I cannot wait to see who will benefit from the pup I’m working with now and any I work with in the future. 🙂
Being involved with RFI has been a great way for me to continue to serve. Lives are being changed everyday through RFI!
Matthew—I can totally understand that that is true. What a great organization.
RFI is a wonderful organization.
Terri, Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I think there is huge FRI family out there from the looks of it and how wonderful is that? Thanks for your support!
RFI Rocks! Thank you for highlighting this deserving organization.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I am so happy to be highlighting RFI this month—there are so many supporters out there!
RFI is awesome! Thank you for highlighting them this month.
God Bless RFI
Indeed!
I find what you are doing here is a wonderful thing and this month’s cause is wonderful also. I love what RFI is doing and I have enjoyed watching their new facility go up near Waverly. I plan to attend their open house and also plan on participating in the Hawgs, Dogs, and Heroes ride which starts at the RFI facility that day. It should be fun. Keep up the good work with your Comments for a Cause.
Hope–thank you so much for those kind words. I am so excited about this month and hope to be able to come to the open house as well. Thanks for stopping by!
RFI is a Blessing to Veterans and children with Autism, and people with diabetes!
Thank you for stopping by, Barbara. I think this is one of my best charities so far!!!
Thank you for choosing RFI for this month’s donation. You folks rock!
Thank YOU for taking the time to stop by and comment! Great to have so many who believe in RFI stop by!
Love this wonderful idea!!! These dogs are lucky to have so many people to are about them, and their cause.
Rachel—I think there are tons of people who are so excited about RFI! Me being one of them!
I have to say that I’m overwhelmed and overjoyed with all of the comments that I have read on this page! The best way I can compare this is too a young child or dog that that you raise and spend every minute with on a daily basis. You can never really step back and see how much they are growing or how fast they are learning. However, everytime someone else sees them they comment on how much they have grown and how special they really are…. This is very special to see and feel the support that this organization has built. Charles and I would like to thank each and everyone of you that have helped make RFI a reality.
Scott, You and Charles have truly done an amazing thing and your comparison to watching a child or dog grow is so accurate. You have nurtured this organization and it is obvious from all of the comments that folks have a deep respect for you AND the organization. I am thrilled and hope to meet you in person some day!
Wonderful analogy by Scott Dewey and beautiful comments.Thank you, Beth Ann and Chris! I attended an RFI event and it was great to meet them!
I hope to meet Scott in person if I can work out to make it to the open house.
RFI is a great cause. As a Veteran who has been ariund and helped RFI they truly are an exceptional organization.
Thanks so much, Ed, for taking the time to stop by. I love hearing all of the wonderful things that people have to say about RFI. Just makes me know that this is a winner this month.
Two great guys, Scott and Charles. Thank you for all you do and your innovative ways of introducing RFI to the world and training those pups!
Thanks for stopping by, Anna! So great to find so many fans of RFI! You guys are the best!
I have a lab puppy here , out of my last litter, that is being raised to go to RFI. One of the best feel goods you can get , helping someone else!
Thank you so much for doing what you are doing for RFI! That is amazing to know that you are helping someone else have a better life by raising a puppy for RFI. Good on ya!
I have Ruger one of the 4 golden retriever puppies that came from Angie. He’s doing great! Thanks Angie. I have been working with Scott and Charles for awhile now.
What a great organization! I have donated pups to a service dog organization close to my home and it is so satisfying to watch them grow and develop.
Kathleen, Thank you so much for doing what YOU do for service dog organizations. What a blessing it is to be able to do that and to know that they are helping others. Thank YOU!
Outstanding! This blog will help with awareness for RFI, and hopefully more donations.
We are definitely building awareness here and that is what it is all about. Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to share the post so that others can contribute with comments!
I love help at fundraising events by preparing food at their request.
That is such a great way to give back, Adam! Good for you! I bet you provide some yummy food!
Seeing these dogs in our community makes my heart so happy! Waverly, Iowa is blessed with the best!
I think everyone in Waverly should be so happy that this is in their community. What a great thing.
Thank you for highlighting this organization and all their wonderful work, what you are doing is very special!
I am so happy to do it, Bertie. If it helps only one person find out about a great organization that is worth it all. Thank you so much!
Mack, my husband’s service dog from RFI has saved my husband in many ways and I believe it has saved our marriage also. I can’t tell you how much I love these folks and what they are doing!!!
Good for you Wendy!! It is amazing how these dogs can repair a life, whether it be a service dog or even just a pet….
A personal testimony is the absolute best advertisement for anything. Thank YOU so much for sharing your story with me. It makes my heart very happy!
Good job, Trooper.
RFI is making such a positive difference in helping our veterans and others!
Think it is awesome that you do this! Also think its great that you picked this cause!!
Keep u[ the good work, Trooper!
Thanks for stopping by!!!
I know it was mentioned before, but we would like to invite everyone to the Facility Grand Opening in Waverly, IA on June 27th.
It never hurts to mention things a bunch of times. I honestly hope to make it myself if I can get the schedule worked out.
We are selling a Harley Davidson with a custom paint job that was signed by Toby Keith. You can see pictures and updates at: http://www.backes-auction.com/auction-details?id=113
Thanks for the link, Scott. I will try to promote that on Facebook as well.
Retrieving Freedom opens up a new world for veterans and children. Thank you for supporting their work.
Thank you, Christy, for taking the time to stop by and comment. I love hearing how much everyone loves RFI!!!!
Thank you Christy!
Doing great things at RFI! As a veteran, it means a lot to all veterans active and inactive to see the support you provide!
I am so glad to hear that you are a veteran who loves RFI! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks, Jim. It is so great to see how every loves what they are doing at RFI.
Thank you to all service dog participants – what a wonderful program.
Carolyn, Thank you so much for stopping by. I love hearing everyone who is a fan of RFI come forward. Thank you!
My husband was just accepted into their program to be matched with a dog. Seeing him smile, is so exciting and heartwarming for us. We are anxious for him to slowly gain back his freedom and independence as he works with them to be matched.
Tera, that is wonderful that your husband is going to be able to be matched with a dog. Everyone who is a part of this organization seems to truly care and be wonderful people. Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for this inspirational page. RFI appreciates your attention.
Thank you for stopping by, Clay. I love what RFI does and all the positive attention that it is getting here.
Clay is a board member at RFI! This is really nice to see the circle that this blog is making. Is there a way that I can post pictures in a reply?
Hmm—don’t think you can post pics in a reply but if you want to send them to me in an email I would be happy to do a post and include them. And if you want to write anything up I can do a post with that and pictures! I would be happy to do that. Just email me anytime at [email protected]
We are current working with RFI to place a service dog with our son who has autism. It is such an amazing feeling to see a service dog enable our child to do things he wouldn’t normally do in challenging social situations. We are grateful for the training and hard work put forth by the entire RFI organization and also the wonderful families who foster these amazing life-saving dogs.
Dana Dietz-Fuhr
If you want to make a difference…you can. RFI
Awesome organization
Thank you RFI
Thanks for stopping by, Calvin!!
Please join us June 27 at Retrieving Freedom in Waverly for our Hawgs, Dogs and Heroes ride along with a full day of activities as we celebrate two graduates and our grand opening of our new training center.
I think that there is no finer organization out there today, They are filling a need that so sorely needs to be addressed. RFI is doing great things for people less fortunate than most.
I love seeing all the RFI puppies in training and see how much they grow and progress in their training. RFI is a great cause.
Good morning RFI supporters
🙂
[…] Feel free to add them in the comments section and remember that all comments this month go towards Retrieving Freedom, Inc. […]