In 2010, The Patterson Foundation --my client as communications director at MagnifyGood-- began a multi-year effort to honor veterans, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom. The initiative was a nod to the Patterson family's multigenerational record of military service and sought to honor the service and sacrifice of all our nation's veterans and their families. At the heart of this work is Patriot Plaza, a first-of-a-kind public-private partnership to design, build and donate a ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.

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Who

The Patterson Foundation entered a first-ever partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- National Cemetery Administration to design, build and donate the $12 million Patriot Plaza. This is the first time a private philanthropic entity has partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration to work on an enhancement of this complexity at any of the country's 134 national cemeteries.

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What

National cemeteries are the final resting places for men and women who served our country with unmatched valor and dedication. Since the 1860s, these shrines to America's heroes have offered places of peace and reflection for military families and visitors. Beginning in 2009, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs - National Cemetery Administration, The Patterson Foundation worked tirelessly to design, build and donate Patriot Plaza, a permanent 2,800-square-foot ceremonial amphitheater that features $2 million in public art. 

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So What?

In the year leading up to Patriot Plaza's dedication, I directed the team that developed and implemented Legacy of Valor, a campaign to galvanize community support for the 100,000 veterans and their families who live and work in Southwest Florida. Individually and through partners, we worked to educate our community through earned and owned media about the challenges and opportunities facing veterans in our region. The effort featured more than 100 community partnerships and 200 events touching more than 475,000 people throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

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From groundbreaking to dedication day, local and regional media covered the partnership extensively. Dedication day included live feeds, front-page spreads and more.

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In November 2014, the Veterans Legacy Summit, which was hosted by The Patterson Foundation, featured a variety of events highlighting veterans' issues and the entire military experience, including an art symposium, a film festival, educational workshops and a ceremony at Patriot Plaza. Military leaders, dignitaries and public figures from across the country lent their time and expertise to the summit, serving as speakers and contributors during each event. Nearly 30 national veterans-service organizations, including the White House's Joining Forces initiative, presented their programs, connecting veterans and military families with the support necessary to continue their contributions to our nation.

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