Behind the Line supports first responders in Shore Gives More campaign

SALISBURY, Md. – The Shore Gives More campaign is back with 145 non-profits teamed up with the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. The online giving event is held on Giving Tuesday annually, this year landing on December 3.

One of the non-profits registered in the campaign is Behind the Line. The group provides services and support for first responders, military veterans and their families. They promote wellness but also provide support after emotionally distressing events.

“So if there’s a crisis situation or just somebody in need or questions or need resources, we’re here to help them facilitate that and link them to that,” says Heather Brown of Behind The Line. “Recently we’re really starting to work on that family component, because our families are just as important.”

Most people understand what first responders do but often overlook the toll going through those events can take on their overall health. Behind the Line provides things like peer support and is a recognized organization for therapy dogs.

“If we can give everybody more education and tolls and interventions to take care of themselves, where it be financially, physically, mentally, relationships, what have you, the strong the person’s going to be when they come across these situations and build that resiliency,” says Brown.

Officials say one of their fundraising goals is to help fund the first ever First Responders Family Conference on the Shore, planned for next April. That conference supports their overall mission of resiliency.

“We’re looking to bring local resources, as well as national resources, to the area to give our families more information and support so that again we can just create a healthy support system,” explains Brown.

Monday November 18 was actually the 6th anniversary of when Behind the Line first began. You can learn more about the organization here.

You can check out their Shore Gives More page here.