Master Sergeant Patricia Baisden, a devoted mother and grandmother, is a retired Army veteran who proudly served her country for “30 years, 6 months and 1 day.”   Recognized as a consummate “giver,” she received the Daily Points of Life Award from President George H. Bush for volunteering over 7,000 hours while on active duty in Afghanistan.   A partial list of other things she has done includes:

      -starting and running Toys4Tots for over 6,000 children at risk

      -feeding over 1,000 homeless veterans

      -transporting veterans to and from doctors’ appointments

      -spending her own money to prevent veterans and their families from being evicted and put on the street

   

 She’s done all of this in spite of injuries and chronic pain sustained while in the service.  Unfortunately, Master Sergeant Baisden retired from the Army with post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, she gained weight which, in turn, affected her joints and desire to leave her home.  She writes, “All I would like to do is one day soon, physically return back to that person giving my all instead of just 15%.”  Because of donations from this event last year, the Bettie Brand Fund has awarded Master Sergeant Baisden her requested multiyear gym membership, personal workout equipment and funding for continuing education for her personal training license which, she writes, “opens up the door of opportunity for me to be my BEST again for others needing a helping hand.”

 

*Introduced to us by Silver Lining Villages