Anne Arundel County Joins a Growing Movement of over 150 Communities Nationwide Committed to Empowering Caregivers in their Hometowns
Annapolis, MD - County Executive Pittman and representatives from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes initiative will pledge their support for local military and veteran caregivers by signing on as a Hidden Heroes County. Anne Arundel County will join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s network of over 150 communities nationwide committed to identifying military caregivers and increasing awareness and support.
“Our military and veteran caregivers take on the important and often difficult job of caring for those brave men and women who answered the call to service in our country," said County Executive Pittman. "We in turn have an obligation to ensure they have the support and resources they need at a local level.”
Anne Arundel County will be the first county in Maryland to sign on to the Hidden Heroes cities and counties program, one of the campaign's key national initiatives designed to develop military caregiver resources at a local level. With the support of the foundation, each Hidden Heroes City or County connects with local military caregivers to assess needs and offer them vital support and resources. Home to thousands of veteran and active duty military members, Anne Arundel County has been and continues to be committed to supporting the enduring work of military caregivers that often goes unrecognized.
“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,” said Senator Elizabeth Dole, Founder of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “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. That begins by encouraging our caregivers to raise their hands, become a part of our Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community – it’s why our partnership with Anne Arundel County is so important.”
Senator Dole added, "The Elizabeth Dole Foundation envisions an America where military caregivers are empowered, appreciated, and recognized for their service to the nation. Together, we are working towards a future where supporting military caregivers is no longer a cause, but it is part of the culture of our nation."
The Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program is part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign launched in 2016 by Senator Elizabeth Dole, Campaign Chair Tom Hanks, and more than 50 military caregivers representing virtually every state in the union. Hidden Heroes raises awareness about the issues military caregivers face, brings critical resources to our nation’s “hidden heroes” caring for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, and connects military caregivers to a community of their peers.
The County’s Hidden Heroes program will be managed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities and will complement the current Family Caregiver Support Program created in 2000 under the Older Americans Act, and originally enacted in 1965. The program provides information to caregivers about available services, assists with supportive services; and provides individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training, respite care, and supplemental services.
County Executive Pittman, representatives from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes initiative; state and county Veterans Affairs Commission will present a proclamation declaring Anne Arundel County a Hidden Heroes County during an event hosted to honor and celebrate military caregivers at the Hotel at the Arundel Preserve on Friday September 16 at 10:30am. To register for the event, call 410-222-4257, email doad_events@aacounty.org or visit the registration website here.
Individuals caring for someone who served, or those who wish to support the campaign can visit HiddenHeroes.org for more information. For more information about the programs and services offered by Anne Arundel County’s Department of Aging and Disabilities including the Caregiver Support Program, please contact us at 410-222-4257 or visit us online at www.aacounty.org/aging. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. Alternative formats are available upon request.
