Co-founders Andy Wirth, Joe and Heather Nichols launch The Impossible Foundation at livestreamed event featuring a press conference, panel discussion and a special live performance by Nichols
Inspired by Nichols’ GRAMMY-Nominated Song, “The Impossible”, the nonprofit organization will provide grants to high-impact organizations aligned with the Foundation’s mission
NASHVILLE, TN – Three-time GRAMMY-nominated singer and multi-platinum selling recording artist Joe Nichols and his wife, Heather Nichols, are joined by close friend and business executive Andy Wirth in announcing the establishment of The Impossible Foundation. The Impossible Foundation has been set up as a nonprofit organization with the mission of being a force multiplier in combatting the accelerating rates of suicide within the special operations community.
Watch The Impossible Foundation's Launch Video HERE.
Within our country’s military, since 2001, suicide has claimed over 140,000 warfighters' lives, 20 times the number of fatalities associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This alarming statistic compelled Andy Wirth to join forces with friends Joe and Heather Nichols and establish The Impossible Foundation, which is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana.
“Our deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness for all who have served and are serving our great country, coupled with our unfaltering patriotism, brought about the drive to stand up The Impossible Foundation,” said Joe Nichols. “Nearly 25 years after it commenced, our newsfeeds don’t contain much on the Global War on Terror. In fact, they’ve largely gone quiet and, not surprisingly, many consider the battles over…they’re most certainly not.”
“Not only does the global war on terror remain a kinetic and lethal environment for our country’s warriors, but some warfighters have returned home with their own fight…battles of a different kind,” said Andy Wirth, co-founder and board chairman. “Too many times, those warfighters see their battles as unwinnable, and the challenges seem to be impossible to overcome. Tragically, some chose a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The loss of a warfighter to suicide is rarely reported by the news…in turn, we rarely hear about that heart rendering event. Truly, when a warfighter takes their own life, it’s a heartbreaking result from a personal battle and while unknown and unheard to most, it generates a deafening echo for eternity.”
Established as largely a grant issuing not-for-profit, The Impossible Foundation will raise funds which will be provided to organizations that have high-impact and effective programs that reduce and reverse the accelerating rates of warfighter suicide. The organization will focus on active duty and retired warfighters that have been and are part of the special operations community, including USSOCOM and other US Government organizations that have an adjacency to our country’s special warfare activities.
“In standing up and launching The Impossible Foundation, Joe, Andy and I are acting on our commitment to those who have given so much of themselves and their lives in service to our country,” said Heather Nichols, co-founder. “If our work results in just one warfighter choosing a path other than suicide, it will all be worth it.”
The launch event will feature interviews with panelists including Joe & Heather Nichols, Andy Wirth and feature two special guests, Steven Cashen, Sergeant First Class, US Army (Ret.) and Brian Gilman, Colonel, US Marine Corps (Ret.). Cashen currently serves as the CEO of Third Option Foundation, a nonprofit providing critical support to officers and families of the fallen of the CIA's Special Activities Center. Prior to this position, Steven served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and worked for the US Government in various roles supporting expeditionary operations around the globe. Gilman currently serves as the CEO of Warriors & Quiet Waters, a Montana based nonprofit that serves and supports post 9/11 warriors. Prior to this post, Brian served as the Chief of Staff for the Marine Forces Special Operations Command.
Extra TV correspondent and TV host Alecia Davis will emcee the launch event, which will be livestreamed from the organization’s website, theimpossiblefoundation.org commencing at 1:00pm eastern, Friday, November 15, 2024, live from The Dallas Bull in Tampa, Florida. Those attending the event will include industry VIPs, supporters and members of the US Special Operations Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The livestream will continue with a special performance by The Impossible Foundation co-founder Joe Nichols.
The inspiration for the organization’s name and ethos is derived from Joe Nichols' first hit song, “The Impossible,” in which in the lyrics and song’s message speaks to circumstances which are seemingly impossible to overcome, but with faith and belief in the impossible, one can prevail.
The Foundation is interested in securing direct support by way of donations of any amount which can be made through its website: theimpossiblefoundation.org. The Impossible Foundation also seeks to engage companies and individuals that have interest in the Founders Legion, which involves material and direct financial support and includes participation in the organization’s advisory council. Those interested in being a major part of The Impossible Foundation through the Founders Legion are encouraged to contact Andy Wirth, co-founder and board chairman at awirth@theimpossiblefoundation.org.
ABOUT THE IMPOSSIBLE FOUNDATION:
The Impossible Foundation is a Colorado nonprofit corporation, which is based out of Bozeman, Montana. The Foundation has applied to the IRS for recognition as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Subject to application is approval, charitable donations to The Impossible Foundation will be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law, regardless of when made. The Foundation will grant funds to organizations with programs aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Grants issued to recipient organizations will take place following a rigorous review process. Currently, the directors and officers of The Impossible Foundation include Messrs. Nichols and Wirth and Mrs. Nichols. Over the following nine months, the organization will be expanding its board of directors, which will directly participate in the governance, strategic planning and operations of The Impossible Foundation.
ABOUT JOE NICHOLS:
Multi-platinum Quartz Hill Records’ Joe Nichols is one of country music’s most-lauded recording artists. A 21st century traditionalist, Nichols is an artist who is both timely and timeless – one who has racked up more than TWO BILLION cumulative audio streams/views including a half-dozen No. 1 singles and ten Top 10 hits with a sound that blurs the boundaries between country music's past and present. It's an approach that has earned Nichols three GRAMMY nominations, a CMA award, an ACM trophy, a CMT “Breakthrough Video of the Year” Award as well as multiple gold and platinum-certified records. Nichols’ additional honors include awards from Billboard, Radio & Records and Music Row Magazine as well as a New York Times “Best-Albums-of-the-Year” nod. The celebrated star has appeared on national media programs ranging from the ACM Presents: Superstar Duets in CBS primetime to The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The View, Entertainment Tonight and Austin City Limits. He also made his big screen debut in the feature film Murder at Yellowstone City. Nichols’ 11th career studio album, Honky Tonks and Country Songs, is available now across all digital retailers and streaming partners. The album’s first radio single, “Better Than You” (a duet with rising star Annie Bosko), has been a Top 5 Most Added Song at U.S. Country Radio (Mediabase) for five consecutive weeks and continues to ascend the charts.
ABOUT ANDY WIRTH:
Mr. Wirth is a respected executive with extensive global experience within the private equity realm and has served as the CEO of multiple operating companies in the United States and in the middle east. Currently, he is the CEO and co-founder of M Bar W Enterprises and the Peak Ski Company, both of which he cofounded with his friend and business partner, Bode Miller. Wirth has served on over 20 nonprofit and quasi-civic boards, including many associated with the special warfare community.
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