THE SHEEPDOG SOCIETY
Michael has a specific interest in safeguarding America’s young children and adults from school-based violence and terrorism. He has taken personal initiative to provide funding toward the awareness and training of local law enforcement, state and federal agencies, and teacher organizations on what he perceives as inadequate school facility safety (ranging from pre-kindergarten through postgraduate). The Sheepdog Society was created in 2009 to spread news and information about the threat of Islamic militants and domestic terrorists hitting our country’s schools.
THE BACKSTOPPERS
Started in 1959, The BackStoppers provides needed support and financial assistance to the spouses and children of all local and county police officers, firefighters, publicly-funded paramedics and EMTs, and volunteer fire protection units who have lost their lives performing their duty.
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA
The Republican Party of Florida has a long and proud history. Its roots run deep, with a foundation built on the core principles of lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. For well over a decade, the Republican-led Legislature in the State of Florida has focused on innovative ideas to make revolutionary gains in that state’s education system, keep its communities safe, and protect its most vulnerable citizens.
ST. LOUIS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
The Griffins are annual contributors to this world-renowned hospital that helps children and their families cope with life-threatening illness. Avid trivia players, the Griffins regularly attend the 97.1 FM Talk Trivia Night that supports the hospital, and attend other fund-raising events throughout the St. Louis area.
THE MARIKLE FOUNDATION
Created to help lend comfort to children with cancer and other live-threatening disease, this organization was founded by Marik Lingo, a child who overcame a rare form of cancer and has committed herself to helping others. EdExperts is regular sponsor of the foundation’s annual golf tournament.
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION
While widely recognized today as a major political force and as America’s foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the NRA has, since its inception, been the premier firearms education organization in the world.
RYAN HUMMERT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
On July 21, 2008 the lives of a family, a fire department, a community, a region, and a nation changed. At approximately 5:30 a.m., a lone sniper set fire to his vehicle across the street from his home. At 5:42 a.m., The Maplewood Fire Department received their notification of a vehicle fire. Engine Company 3114 responded with four firefighters on-board. Within minutes, they arrived to the scene of a vehicle on fire. As Ryan Hummert and his fellow firefighters were preparing to extinguish the vehicle fire, an explosion was heard. Ryan fell to the ground. Confused, the other firefighters rushed to Ryan’s side to provide aid. The explosion was a gunshot from a sniper that struck and killed the 22-year old firefighter/paramedic instantly. The Ryan Hummert Memorial Foundation has bee set up as a non-profit organization to provide the necessary funds to assist the Maplewood firefighters in attending the National Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial and the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. Any additional funds that are collected are used to support various charities and firefighter-related organizations.