Recorder Becky Lynch Represents Lake County Ohio in First Summit on Military and Veteran Caregivers

Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Summit spotlighted innovation in community support for caregivers of wounded, ill, and injured service members

Washington, DC (October 13, 2020) ⎯ Recorder Becky Lynch participated in the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s first ever Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Summit, “Building a Hidden Heroes Community: How to Create Initiatives that Support Military and Veteran Caregivers,” virtually on October 7. Alongside Comcast-NBCUniversal, AARP, and the National Associations of Counties (NACo).

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation brought together more than a hundred local government officials from across the country. The summit was a seminal element of the Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program, which includes more than 155 cities, counties, and states that have pledged to support members of the 5.5 million loved ones caring for a wounded, ill, or injured service member at home who are living in their jurisdictions.

“We were thrilled for the opportunity to engage with local leaders in our first Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Summit,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “Since the start of the Hidden Heroes Cities program, we have seen amazing local officials step up to support military and veteran caregivers, and we hope by creating this forum to collaborate, communities left with actionable
initiatives that help them strengthen and grow their initiatives and programs of support.”

The summit highlighted best practices and resources that can serve as models for local communities seeking to build or expand systems of support for military caregivers. Small group sessions led by Dole Caregiver Fellows also provided caregivers and leaders opportunities to learn what communities are accomplishing to support military and veteran caregivers, and apply lessons learned as they implement new initiatives in the future.

Every community leader in attendance will be connected with the Dole Caregiver Fellows representing their state. This local partnership will help to create support systems and initiatives to serve the hidden heroes in Lake County Ohio.

“To be witness to such a comprehensive and compassionate effort for caregiving to our most valiant and brave is the highlight of my career,” said Recorder Lynch, “what an excellent program, I am so honored!”

Senator Dole was the first to call the nation’s attention to military caregivers. A 2014 RAND study commissioned by her Foundation found that these caregivers face dramatically increased emotional and physical stress, financial and legal troubles, employment difficulties, and feelings of isolation due to the enormous responsibility and severe lack of resources for those caring for someone who served.

Contact Becky Lynch, Lake County Recorder
Tel: 440-350-2510 Email: Becky.Lynch@LakeCountyOhio.gov

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