It was a busy weekend in Washington, D.C., as politicians and celebrities gathered to attend the annual White House Correspondents Weekend, which is made up of a number of events, both before and after the official dinner, highlighting journalistic excellence and causes that are making a significant different in people’s lives.

This year’s Annual Garden Brunch highlighted two causes important to many individuals in the Nation’s Capitol, Dog Tag Bakery and Blue Star Families. Connie Milstein, a Washington, D.C. local, businesswoman and philanthropist, serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Blue Star Families and is a founding partner of Dog Tag Bakery. Father Curry, a professor in the Catholic Studies Department at Georgetown University is the bakery’s other founding partner. Guests were asked to make a contribution to Dog Tag Bakery, which will open its first location in Georgetown this year.

Dog Tag Bakery is an organization that will support and educate disabled veterans and their spouses and help them make the often difficult transition back into normal life. The 4,200 sq. ft. building will include a retail location for the bakery and café, a production and baking area, meeting and training rooms, and office space. Participants in the program will take entrepreneurship and businesses management classes at Georgetown University in addition to the hands-on-education at the bakery.

“I’m proud of the work we’re doing to launch this exciting project,” Connie wrote, “and I was honored to have our efforts recognized over the weekend at the Garden Brunch to celebrate White House Correspondents Weekend in Washington, D.C. It was great to be a part of an event that pays tribute to the men and women who serve our country during this high profile weekend.”

Some of the most-recognized country music stars have come together to support “This Country Cares” by filming a series of PSAs showing their support for military families and encouraging those with mental health concerns to seek help. The PSAs, online now, feature familiar faces like Tim McGraw, Dierks Bently, Billy Ray Cyrus and Gary Allen.

“This Country Cares” is a partnership between Blue Star Families; HeathNet, Inc.; The Creative Coalition; The Nashville Film Institute; Uncharted Mind Productions; Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.), volunteers, and country music’s finest.

“We sincerely appreciate Country Music’s assistance in letting our service members and their families know how grateful our nation is for their service and how concerned we all are for their well-being,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, Chairman of Blue Star Families.

In addition to appearing online, the PSAs will air on broadcast television and radio, and will be shown on military and veteran installations. “This Country Cares” directs military members or their families to the National Suicide Hotline for help. This is the second iteration of a series of PSAs focused on military members and mental health – the first, also created by Blue Star Families and The Creative Coalition, features leading actors and actresses.

Connie Milstein, a long-time supporter of our armed forces and military families, is a member of the Blue Star Families Board of Directors. She is also part of a joint-venture with Foundation Sweet Success called Dog Tag Bakery, a non-profit organization that provides employment and training for disabled military veterans and their spouses.