French Macarons from Joselle’s Bakeshop

French Macarons are so pretty and delicious!  Now you can make these scrumptious cookies at home with the help of Joselle’s Bakeshop, which is owned and operated by Luis and Olivia Surla.  They were able to open their bake shop with the help of the Semper Fi Fund.  

The Semper Fi Fund commits more than $0.90 cents of every $1 donated for service members and their families in which they use to help veterans recover, transition, and thrive.  They focus on innovative and effective programs that make a difference.  They provide financial assistance and lifetime support to post-9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured service members and their families.

Luis joined the Navy when he was 18 years old on the Delayed Entry Program and left for boot camp in 1995, just ten days after graduation. It would be several years before Luis set out on his first deployment, 11MEU with 2nd Battalion 1st Marines in 2000-2001: Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.   However, not long after his return, devastation struck our nation on September 11, 2001.  In the following years, Luis deployed as a Navy Corpsman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where Luis was injured.

“Prior to leaving the Navy I really didn’t have any plans. My last 3 years were very tough on everyone. I was in and out of the hospital. My doctors put me on Medical Board and I was certain that they would medically discharge me. But lucky enough the Navy decided that I could retire at 20 years service if I continue with therapy. I knew that life after the military would be different because I was different. I think I was the last one to know but I can tell. The loss of memory, and pain that wasn’t there before, or I have just ignored them enough to keep going.”

“ The Semper Fi Fund has continued to support me in my recovery through various recreational therapy events where I have been able to connect with my peers, and helping me to realize that I’m not alone in this difficult process of living with my wounds.”

Last April Luis attended his first clinic with the Semper Fi Fund’s Jinx McCain Horsemanship Program where he learned of another program also offered through the Semper Fi Fund, the Apprenticeship Program.

Luis’ wife, Olivia is a pastry and culinary chef and thought the program could offer him the opportunity to not only start his own business but build it with his wife. Shortly after returning home from the Jinx McCain clinic, Luis’ and his wife started a business plan for their home bakery; Joselle’s bakery. 

“Having the Semper Fi Fund to help and mentor us, just made sense. Semper Fi Fund has assisted with start up equipment for our business. This is very import because you need the right tools to do what you love to do. The Semper Fi Fund have been saving lives since they started and I know they have changed, saved and made my life meaningful again.”

I hope you’ll be so kind and consider donating to the Semper Fi Fund which is helping so many lives for the better, and enjoy these delicious Macarons as well!