The Memorial Day weekend seemed like the perfect time to launch the new website for local nonprofit Team Foster.

Named for Army Captain Erick Foster, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007, Team Foster honors his sacrifice every day by raising money for a variety of veteran services. The nonprofit fills in where other government agencies and services fall short.

Recognizing that service dogs are a vital tool for veterans’ rehab and recovery, Team Foster has taken the lead in providing service dogs to injured and disabled veterans. Through a partnership with Susquehanna Service Dogs, it created the Philadelphia-area puppy raising program. Their efforts help to fund the two-year, Assistance Dogs International-accredited training process. The canine graduates are then ready to be uniquely trained and partnered with a veteran, providing immediate aid.

Through its grant programs, Team Foster also supports veterans’ financial and medical needs.

“Our new website, with the help of (Phoenixville-based) Miller Designworks, was a terrific experience to develop,” said Nick Liermann, Team Foster’s Founder and Executive Director. “We’re so excited to see how it will support our mission to make sure there is No Hero Left Behind. By promoting our wide variety of events, we look forward to growing our community, increasing the money we raise, and directly impacting even more veterans.”

“It was a privilege to be a part of reimagining Team Foster’s website,” said Marshall Oram of Miller Designworks. “My father is a Vietnam veteran and the work Team Foster does gives back so much to support veterans after they have served. We wanted to create an engaging site with a bold message, which can support the full range of creative events they coordinate.”

With pandemic-related restrictions being lifted, and with summer on the horizon, there are many opportunities to get involved: 

• Ruff Ride, a spin relay from June 26-27 at Citizens Bank Park that challenges teams to take turns keeping their assigned bike going for 24 consecutive hours
• Oil to Iron, a 100-mile bike ride from Oil City to Pittsburgh, on Aug. 28
• Foster 100 Classic, a bike ride from Philadelphia to Cape May, N.J., on Sept. 11

In addition to these live events, you can participate in Foster 100 Week from Sept. 6-12 remotely.