Shady Strong originated in 2019 as a small entity supporting a loved one with ALS. Since then, $50,000 has been raised through donations, fundraisers, and community support to help raise awareness and emotionally and financially help local New York families. In 2022, Shady Strong became a federally recognized non-profit with a mission to raise awareness and directly support families battling ALS.

Operation: Hope for the Holidays will be an online fundraiser from mid-October to mid-November.   We hope to have fantastic raffle items to bring money towards holiday gifts for veterans with ALS and their families during the holiday season. Last year, with the help of the Syracuse VA, we connected with multiple families that received gift baskets filled with gift cards, self-care items, and snacks, and many veterans requested items for their caregivers to be included.  Each veteran received a beautiful handmade wooden flag from Flags of Valor, and these baskets were hand-delivered when possible.