MAY 2025 | BOSTON – Even during the happiest of celebrations, there can be sadness as well.For Skylah Sherman, it was her 14th birthday last year, when she attended a Boston Bruins game at TD Garden with tickets provided by a program supported by the Military Friends Foundation (MFF) and TD Bank.
Skylah was missing the father she never met, Army Sgt. Benjamin Sherman. Benjamin was a 21-year-old paratrooper with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division who died before his daughter was born when he jumped into a river in Afghanistan to try to save a fellow soldier.
MFF arranged for a group of Army service members to sing happy birthday to her before the game in the middle of the TD Garden, which made Skylah feel like her father was with her.
“It was a birthday she never will forget,” said Patricia Sherman, Benjamin’s widow and Skylah’s mother. “She had no idea about the experience she was going to have. She pulled me aside at one point and said she wished her dad was there. Seeing the service members in uniform made her sad, yet grateful because she knew deep inside her father was there by her side.”
MFF, a longtime TD Bank business customer, was created in 2001 to help those currently serving in the military, as well as veterans, family members, and the Fallen Heroes program for Gold Star families – the immediate family (parents, spouse, children, siblings) of a U.S. military member who died in service. The Swampscott, Massachusetts organization is led by military spouses and current and former military members.
The organization sponsors many programs including direct grants, food programs during holidays and Hero Meals before military members are deployed, social events and financial information seminars. TD Bank and colleagues provide support to many of MFF’s efforts, including the ticket and food programs, and financial seminars.
“Military Friends Foundation is a source of strength and healing for so many families who have lost a loved one in service to our country.” said Paul Bajus, Chief of Staff, Office of the President & CEO, TD Bank and Executive Lead for TD’s Veterans community. “As a veteran, I understand the lasting impact this support can have on the military community. Military Friends Foundation exemplifies what it means to serve, and TD Bank is honored to be their bank of choice to help them deliver on such a powerful mission.”
MFF raises awareness about Memorial Day
Skylah attended the game at the TD Garden through TD Bank’s Community Clubhouse initiative, where non-profits, like MFF, receive a block of tickets so members of their community can attend a Bruins or Celtics game at no cost. Each group also receives a special pre-game experience, where guests often make connections and create special memories.
Thanks to the relationship between the MFF and TD Bank, “Skylah has had many unforgettable experiences that made her feel supported, seen, and part of a larger military family,” Patricia said.
“Our role is to provide direct and immediate support to military families, especially in times of crisis,” said Sarah Sweeney, MFF’s executive director. “With our Gold Star families, which may mean six months or 15 years ago, we’re there for them when they need support.”
During the December holiday season , which can be very difficult, MFF supported an event at the Massachusetts State House where Gold Star families can place a photo of their lost loved one on a Gold Star tree.
This Memorial Day on May 26, many of Massachusetts’s major bridges will be lit up in gold for the first time to raise awareness of Gold Star families, which was an effort led by MFF.
Sarah notes that raising awareness of military members and families is particularly important as a smaller percentage of the population are currently serving today, compared with the past. There were close to 1.4 million people serving in the U.S. armed forces in 2024, according to the Department of Defense making up about 0.4 percent of the total American population.
“We hope our programs will raise recognition on the sacrifices of all our military and Gold Star families,” Sarah said “Programs like this highlight what the sacrifices are. While we can’t repay them for their sacrifice, we can help make sure it’s never forgotten.”
TD and MFF are helping to increase financial knowledge for military families
One of MFF’s most important missions is helping military service members, veterans, and families to understand the specific financial issues that impact their community. These topics include taxes for military families who are deployed, retirement planning for veterans, and particular benefits for Gold Star families. The organization has held many seminars in person and virtually.
TD has hosted three seminars with MFF that explained financial programs and considerations for military members and their families. Tyler Ash, a Private Client Relationship Manager with TD Wealth, helped lead the most recent seminar. He first heard about MFF in his role as store manager in Quincy, Massachusetts in 2017 and has volunteered with the organization for various events since that time.
Tyler explains why it’s so important for everyone to participate in events that help the military community.
“We’re all here because of the bravery of men and women who fight to protect us and our values across the globe,” Tyler said. “There are people in my family who have gone out to fight overseas and protect us. Because of their valor, I never had to do that. To have the opportunity to help this community really is a privilege for me.”
For more on personal finance topics
You can find out more information about TD Bank’s programs for veterans here.
If you have more questions about personal finance topics that matter to you, visit the Learning Center on TD Bank’s website. You can find out more information about TD Bank’s services at td.com.
We hope you found this helpful. This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of May 2025 and is subject to change. This content is not intended to be used or acted upon with respect to any client’s specific circumstances.
Source: https://stories.td.com/us/en/article/answering-the-call-how-one-organization-supports-the-military-community
