Fargo, N.D. – The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is partnering with the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation for its fourth season of Strike Out the Stigma, an initiative focused on raising awareness and support for veteran mental health across North Dakota.
Through partnerships with baseball and softball teams statewide, this July initiative turns every strikeout thrown at home games into a donation to support veterans. Funds will help expand access to retreats and peer connection opportunities.
The impact of that connection can be life changing.
“That’s not me,” an Iraq veteran thought when attending his first veterans-only retreat with the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation. As he listened to others share their struggles, he believed their experiences were different from his.
But something stayed with him.
Months later, he returned. During conversations around a bonfire and over shared meals, he began to recognize pieces of his own story in others. That realization led him to begin counseling and medication, earn a promotion at work and rebuild important relationships with his family.
His story is a reminder that healing can take time and often begins with connection.
“Sometimes veterans come to us thinking they don’t need help, but when they are surrounded by others who truly understand, something shifts,” said Tracy Dunham, founder and executive director of the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation. “We help people realize they are not alone, and that can open the door to meaningful change in their lives.”
“We know veterans can face unique challenges when it comes to mental health,” said Amber Blomberg, executive director of the BCBSND Caring Foundation. “Through Strike Out the Stigma, we are proud to support the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation and help expand access to resources and connection across North Dakota.”
“This partnership means a lot to us because it helps us reach more veterans and reminds them they are not alone,” Dunham said. “The support from BCBSND Caring Foundation allows us to create more opportunities for connection and continue growing our mission across North Dakota.”
The BCBSND Caring Foundation and Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation encourage community members to be intentional about mental health by checking in, reaching out and using resources available at www.bcbsnd.com/strikeout.
About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Through giving and investing, the Caring Foundation focuses on key health issues to help improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Caring Foundation staff collaborate with grantees to support nonprofit sustainability, promote shared outcomes and create lasting change.
About the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation
Brady Oberg was a veteran who had a love and respect for the United States of America and his fellow combat Veterans of all American wars. He fought for a year in Afghanistan. Like so many soldiers, he brought some of the battle home with him. Through his Legacy Foundation, they hope to bring veterans together for fun filled adventures where they can connect and reconnect with each other. The Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation also hopes to raise awareness about PTSD and help family members and spouses understand the struggles their soldiers may deal with when returning home from war.
