Welcome to HEAVENDROPt’s fundraising website!

Angels of the Sky Gala

Please help us raise critical funds by participating in our auction or by making a donation. The online auction will close at 8:30 p.m. on March 22, 2024.

For information about the auction items and delivery please contact Robert Krouse <robert.krouse@evergreenls.org>

Repurposing Retired Military Parachutes

Evergreen Life Services’ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sue Buchholtz, toured an Air Force Base with a community leadership group, and this is where the idea to repurpose retired military parachutes was conceived, which eventually became a social enterprise named HEAVENDROPt.

During the visit, Sue was shown the careful examination of used parachutes prior to them being cleared for use by the military for additional jumps. She saw the potential to develop products from the parachutes that could not be used again. Sue’s vision was to develop a social enterprise that included employing people with disabilities, giving back to Veteran organizations and recycling.

This started the development of a business plan and process to make this vision a reality. The venture creates a variety of repurposed products made from decommissioned U.S. military parachutes. Individuals with disabilities participate in the production of these products, many of whom are US military Veterans. This participation offers the individuals involved dignity, confidence and the ability to earn a paycheck through meaningful work. The products are marketed and sold with all proceeds supporting US military Veterans and persons with disabilities.

It was an inherently patriotic act to establish Evergreen Life Services in 1959, and it is the work of all human services organizations to embody good citizenship as they empower individuals of all backgrounds and circumstances to experience life, liberty, and their unique pursuits of happiness, on their terms. Part of good citizenship and patriotism is caring for those in less fortunate circumstances. Some are born with what we label as disabilities, others become disabled because of happenstance, and still others because of their choices, including giving themselves over to a larger cause, something beyond themselves.

This is something every one of our armed services professionals do and has done since the beginning of our republic. There is joy, confidence and pride in those who work within HEAVENDROPt–all emotions we hope the people we serve feel in abundance on a regular basis. This exemplifies ‘everyone matters’. Thank you for your interest in making a difference through your support of Evergreen Life Services and our HEAVENDROPt enterprise. With your help, we are looking forward to expanding what we can do to create a better future for people of all abilities.