Fight the War Within Foundation is a 100% all volunteer organization committed to bringing an end to suicide. Members of our Board founded the organization in April 2020, and gained our official incorporation in July of that year. All of our board members are volunteers, so every cent we raise goes directly towards our mission. We provide mental health resources through a variety of ways, primarily in the Savannah area but also have partners across the country who help support and promote our mission. We host a free quarterly Intervene Challenge program, which teaches participants who to respond to individuals contemplating suicide in moments of crisis, providing guidance in a proven method to intervene in the moment of crisis and get the individuals to the help that they need. We also have partnered with a local counseling service to provide low/no cost counseling to those who cannot financially manage their own mental health care, often paying for the services directly ourselves. We have a network of volunteers that allows us to connect those in need to our ever-growing network of mental health and community resources. We also provide motivational care packages to individuals or their struggling with mental illness, as well as provide emergency grants to support partner organizations whose mission aligns with our own. Lastly, we host numerous events each month aimed at providing a place of camaraderie, companionship, and peer support, such as our Coffee & Camaraderie events at Tosa Coffee Company in Richmond Hill, Wild Paddle kayak excursions in Rincon, Teen Adventures for at risk teens in the area, and many more.
Our Fearless Leader
Miranda Briggs founded the Fight the War Within Foundation in 2020, two years after the loss of her warrior, SPC Garrett Briggs, USA (Ret.), to the 22 a Day veteran suicide epidemic. The loss occurred just two short weeks after the birth of their daughter, Essex. Miranda, though devastated by the loss of her love, overcame the tragedy and turned her grief into a call to action, to save others from the same fate as Garrett.
With the support of her friends and family, Miranda and Essex established the Fight the War Within Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress as a result of military or first responder service, or some other tragic event, so that we can continue in the fight against suicide. Our goal is to provide support for people from all walks of life, who are struggling and in need of help.
She Knows EVERYBODY
Born in California, Amy Headrick moved to Georgia when she was 12, and never left. A resident of Savannah, Amy is a proud mother of three daughters (and two fur babies!), and a proud Mimi to two grandsons. Amy, a survivor of domestic violence, always strove to be a strong role model for her girls. She finally found her true passion in the fire service, in which she has served as a firefighter for 11 years. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, and is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree.
In 2017, Amy and her close friend established Heels-n-Halligans, a nonprofit organization specializing in PTSD awareness and support for First Responders. Each year they raise funds through calendar sales, to benefit a retreat for their selected First Responder and Veteran recipients at Willow Grove Resort in Tennessee.
GI Jane
Bio coming soon
You Need It Done, She Gets It Done
Stephanie Boaz is an IT professional located in the Savannah, Georgia area. She has been active in Fight the War Within since day one, volunteering her time and administrative expertise to help the organization continue to grow and thrive. Her heart is tied to the mission of our Foundation, and she is passionate about working with those who struggle with mental illness. She is the proud mother to her teenage son, Roman.
Treasurer, aka, Squad Leader
Meet SSG (R) James Collins. He is an OIF combat veteran who served 10 years in the United States Army, with two tours to Iraq.
James was diagnosed with severe PTSD due to combat injuries and near-death experiences. He has been a volunteer with Fight the War Within Foundation since the initial launch, and dedicates his success and passion to the support of his loving partner Jessica, his children Katelyn and Mckenzee Collins, and his soon to be step children Dayshia and Peyton.
As the Treasurer and Squad for Fight the War Within, he is also the driving force behind the Planet Fitness Wall of Heroes Program at the Statesboro, Georgia campus. He also keeps track of our receipts and accounts, to make sure we maintain a full level of transparency as a 100% nonprofit organization.
She Makes Us Look Goooooood
Born in the great state of Texas, Haley relocated to Savannah, GA in 2020 with the Army. She has been in for 6 and a half years and currently serves out of Hunter Army Airfield. She has been with the foundation since she moved to the area in 2020. She has seen first-hand the toll that the lack of knowledge of resources can take on not only service members and their families, but those in law enforcement, Fire Fighters, EMS, and all other first responders. That is why she is so motivated to help spread the word of our mission through social media platforms.
Captain Chaplain
Bio coming soon
Little Sister
My name is Kelly Spry, I live in Murrieta, California with my husband and 4 kids. I am not a veteran but grew up admiring my grandfather who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corp, so veterans have always had a special place in my heart.
In 2012 my older brother Garrett Briggs made the decision to join the Army and I could not have been more proud of him. Unfortunately in 2018 he became a part of the 22 a day epidemic, something I never thought would happen to our family.
Going through such a devastating tragedy opened my eyes to just how many other men and women are out there struggling like Garrett was, who are reaching out for help, just to be turned away or put on a waitlist. This foundation has a huge place in my heart and I am so humbled to be apart of it!
Fight the War Within Foundation © 2020 