It was a dark, rainy night back in 2012 when Lake Quivira residents Dave and Stacy Schieffer decided to venture into a bar in Liberty, MO, to learn more about a group that supported veterans.  Although they knew no one in attendance and didn’t know what they were getting themselves into, they were looking for a way to give back to the community.  Says Dave, “I have been a strong supporter of the men and women who have served our country and protected our freedom, including my father, who served in the Marine Corps in Korea, and many other family members.”

 

Dave met Daniel Brazzell that night, and a few years later, Daniel asked Dave to lead the board for a new Kansas City organization he was starting up called Team Fidelis.

 

Team Fidelis (https://www.teamfidelis.org/) initially began in April 2015 with a group of 20 friends who wanted to do more for veterans.  Team Fidelis began gathering veterans for dinners, social events, exercise, and outings to create a sense of camaraderie.  Brazzell, a veteran himself, founded the group and continues to serve Team Fidelis as the Executive Director today. Instantly, Team Fidelis realized the work included more than just veterans; families joined in, as well.  In February 2016, Team Fidelis became a 501(c)3 and expanded its mission to serve service members, veterans and families through the following activities:

Team Fidelis certifies veterans, active duty, reserve, National Guard, and their families in mental health first aid and CPR/AED at no cost to them. Mental health first aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems, giving our veterans and their families the tools needed to start a dialogue so they can get the help they need.

In honor of Sgt. Elias M Wade USMC, Team Fidelis gives deserving veterans and their families a day away from the worries of the world and allows them to take a breath. In some cases, it’s a dinner and night at the movies, others it's a day at Worlds of Fun or a weekend at the lake.

 

Mental health is a serious concern for our homeless veterans. Every month, Team Fidelis visits homeless camps and locations where homeless congregate, in an effort to find them housing and ensure they are receiving the benefits they have earned. In addition, they provide them a pair of boots and other items they need until they can secure housing.

 

Team Fidelis participates in and leads outreach events around the city centered on suicide prevention, PTSD, and removing the stigma of mental health. Engaging our veterans and their families in the community provides an open environment for them to speak freely. It lets them know that there is Hope.

Team Fidelis Veteran Specialists are the front-line connection with veterans. Whether a veteran needs assistance with benefits, employment, education, or housing, Team Fidelis can connect them with those resources. Many times all the veteran wants is to just sit down, have a cup of coffee with another veteran and enjoy some good ole Camaraderie.

Team Fidelis provides opportunities for veterans and their families to connect with each other to build strong support systems. Examples include monthly meet and greets, local sporting events, outdoor activities, and community service opportunities.

 

Dave and Stacy have lived at 175 Lakeshore Dr. South for eight years.  Dave is a senior director for Infor, a global software company; Stacy is a consulting director for Veracity Consulting, a local business consulting services provider.

 

Dave takes every opportunity to get Team Fidelis out to Lake Quivira. Dave also assists with the Lake Quivira Triathlon, so in 2017 he asked Team Fidelis to come out and present the colors prior to the start of the event.  They have returned for every triathlon since, and this year also manned a cheer station by the nature center to encourage the athletes as they neared the finish line.

 

Team Fidelis was chosen to be the charity partner for the 2021 Lake Quivira Homes Tour. Team Fidelis enthusiastically got involved by donating auction items for the gala, speaking at the gala, and setting up an information tent the next day to spread the word about their important mission.

 

Finally, Team Fidelis has been generously blessed with the support of the Lake Quivira Community Ministry, for which they are extremely grateful.

 

Team Fidelis is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization that works to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and families by raising awareness, providing a bridge of hope, and building camaraderie.

 

Asked what advice he has for someone in the community who wants to get involved with the organization, Dave says “We love our volunteers; there is no set time commitment for most of our volunteers.  Anyone can join Team Fidelis – military, veterans and civilians alike. We can always use volunteers at our events, but we are also looking for passionate professionals looking for the opportunity to serve on a board, and individuals interested in getting involved as part of our leadership team.