About Us
The Phoenix Group launched a non-profit foundation in November 2009 to grant wishes for active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and their families. The Foundation strives to relieve the burdens of family separation, re-integration for deployed soldiers, hardship circumstances, and other means of assistance not covered by existing military charities.
The purpose of our Foundation is very simple – reward our brave men and women who make so many sacrifices for our great nation each and every day. There are many military-focused non-profit organizations, but the majority of them are geared toward extreme circumstances – severely wounded, amputees, burn victims, soldiers killed in action (KIA). The purpose of the Phoenix-Wish for Our Heroes Foundation is not only to reward soldiers falling into these extreme categories, but also reward soldiers and their families dealing with the normal strains of military life and deployment. Most American citizens know someone associated with the Armed Forces and/or the family of an American soldier. Think of all the sacrifices they make, and think about what we could do to make their lives a little more enjoyable – what can we do to bring a smile to their faces, to give them a small break from the trials, tribulations and strains of their daily lives?
Anyone who has ever served in the military, particularly during a deployment, can attest to the strains of being away from one’s family. Missing out on family events, financial strains, childcare, marital strains, to name a few. The Foundation strives to relieve some of those burdens. Send a soldier and his/her spouse on a trip to rebuild their marriage, while providing care for their children. Provide tuition assistance to help send soldiers’ children to a university of their choice. Assist in filing taxes and other financial matters. Provide lawn and cleaning service to over-burdened spouses. Provide a better means of communication for families during deployments. During R&R, cover travel expenses so soldiers can reunite with their families. Provide psychological care for soldiers and their families in need. These are all examples of how the Phoenix-Wish for Our Heroes Foundation provides assistance to soldiers and their families.
The Foundation is funded through 4 different revenue streams. First and foremost, The Phoenix Group donates 10% of pretax earnings directly to the Foundation. Secondly, The Phoenix Group and the employees of several other companies, generously donate a portion of each paycheck to the Foundation (for more information on this program, please click on the ‘corporate donations’ link). Third, apparel sales on our website – purchase your licensed hat, t-shirt, or bracelet today. Finally, our website. This is the most important vehicle for our fundraising activity. This allows anyone to not only grant a wish for a soldier, but also submit wishes for soldiers and their families in need. You have the ability to view and grant specific wishes, or you can make a general contribution. The Foundation’s goal is for 90% of all donations to be utilized for granting wishes. If you contribute toward a specific wish, 100% of your donation will be utilized to grant that wish. All donations are 100% tax-deductible, and receipts will be provided at the time of donation.
Times are tough right now in our county, but this minute, soldiers are sacrificing more than any of us can ever imagine. Please help us (any way you can) to bring smiles to the faces of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen.
Our Spokesperson: Bernie Teich
Bernie was born and raised in Rhode Island, where he graduated from high school in 1995. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 and served as a Marine until 2001, when he joined the Rhode Island National Guard. Following September 11, 2001, Bernie was compelled to return to active duty, so in May 2002, he re-enlisted in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas with the 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. At that time, the 91st Engineer Battalion was one of two engineer battalions utilizing the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV). Bernie immediately became a Bradley driver then he was promoted to E-5 and became a Bradley gunner.
In January 2005, as a team leader, Bernie deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF II). He led hundreds of combat patrols with missions ranging from route security, cordon & search (raid), rebuilding infrastructure, and counter-insurgency. His missions led to the capture or destruction of over 50 insurgents, which resulted in dramatic security improvements for US soldiers and Iraqi citizens in Baghdad.
In June 2005, Bernie’s patrol was hit with an RPG ambush, in which Bernie and 3 other soldiers were seriously wounded. As a result of that attack, Bernie received his first Purple Heart. After he recovered from his injuries, Bernie returned to his daily patrols. In February 2006, Bernie returned to Fort Hood, and immediately began training for his next deployment to Iraq.
In October 2006, Bernie redeployed to Iraq as a squad leader, after being promoted to E-6. He deployed to Baghdad as a Bradley Commander in E Company, 1-5 CAV. On February 28, 2007, while on a route clearance mission in the Al Dora district of Baghdad, Bernie’s Bradley was struck by a large IED, buried underneath the road and detonated underneath his vehicle. Bernie and his gunner were immediately evacuated to the Green Zone, then Germany, as they both sustained very serious injuries. Bernie sustained substantial damage to both of his legs. While in the Green Zone, Bernie was awarded his second Purple Heart by General David Patraeus, Commander of Operations in Iraq. Bernie spent several weeks undergoing treatment for his injuries in Germany before he was evacuated to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. While in the hospital in San Antonio, Bernie underwent 14 surgeries on both of his legs. He was released from the hospital in May 2007, and he began extensive rehabilitation on both legs. He spent 3 painful months fighting to keep his right leg, but eventually it was determined that he would need to have it amputated.
In August 2007, he was re-admitted to the hospital and his right leg was amputated, replaced by a prosthetic leg. After release from the hospital, he began intensive physical therapy at the Intrepid Center, a state-of-the-art facility for burn victims and amputees. He continued intensive therapy, and his prosthetic leg was doing very well, but he continued to have problems with his left ankle. In November 2008, he was re-admitted to the hospital where he had his left ankle fused, which greatly inhibited his mobility, but relieved much of the pain he was experiencing. During his time in the hospital, Bernie was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his acts of bravery and meritorious service in Iraq. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat award in the US Armed Forces, and the ninth highest military award (includes both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of US Military decorations. Bernie, to this day, continues to under-go physical therapy, but his level of pain is finally under control. He will be medically retired from the US Army on September 24, 2009.
Our President: Jeff Wells
Jeff Wells is the President and Founder of Phoenix Wish For Our Heroes. Wells started the non-profit organization in memory of his father, 1SG Thomas G. Wells (1933-2009), a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as all active duty military heroes.
A former Army Captain, Wells was stationed at Fort Hood, TX and served tours in Korea and Baghdad with the 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. Wells has continuously witnessed the toll military life can take on those serving our nation, and wanted to develop an organization devoted to giving back to such individuals.
Wells currently serves as Director for The Phoenix Group, a supply-chain and logistics company based in Indianapolis, IN. The for-profit company commonly hires former military and donates 10% of pre-tax earnings to Phoenix Wish For Our Heroes.
Wells graduated from the University of Florida and currently resides in San Antonio and Indianapolis.
