The Phoenix Soldiers Foundation—Serving Those Who Have Served

PHOTO BY CHAD KOERBER

Published in the Jan-Feb 2012 issue of MyLIFE magazine

Christopher Siedentop and his Phoenix Soldiers Foundation are, in a way, an extension of the Marine Corps’ legendary motto:Semper Fi–“Always Faithful.” The foundation makes an effort to honor continuously the sacrifices that our military men and women make for our country.

Siedentop worked closely with Navy SEAL teams and Army Special Forces, training them in antiterrorist driving techniques. He is, proudly, an honorary member of the POW/MIA/KIA Honor Guard.

He founded Phoenix Soldiers Foundation in 2011 in honor of Sgt. Nathaniel Lindsey, a 26-year-old Army veteran who lost an arm fighting in Iraq.

In a show of appreciation, the foundation arranged for Sgt. Lindsey and his family to be picked up in a limousine and taken to spend five days in a million-dollar, resort-style home, complete with a private chef and massage therapist. During their stay, Sgt. Lindsey and his family enjoyed five-star dining and a luxurious private pool. Siedentop also organized myriad activities for the family during their stay.

“My mission is to seek out wounded veterans and active-military personnel to offer them vacations, gifts or whatever they may need. Without their service, this country would not exist,” Siedentop said with great conviction. “I feel that every veteran deserves to be pampered and taken care of. In support of wounded soldiers, our foundation has created the ultimate retreat for special troop members and their families.”

When Siedentop is not overseeing the foundation’s work, he runs Siedentop Personal Assistant Services (SPAS), which provides services to approximately 100 families from Scottsdale and Canada. Dedicated and discreet, SPAS expertly manages day-to-day business and household tasks.

The company offers confidentiality, on-demand availability and “unparalleled attention to the details of your life,” according to Siedentop, who stressed that SPAS is more than a property management business. He said the services he and his brother, Jake, offer can be “the gateway to first-class social and special events, from intimate dinners to grand celebrations.” Whether the occasion involves five guests or 500, Chef Jake Siedentop creates unique dining experiences as rich and refined as any luxury five-star restaurant worldwide.

Another facet of SPAS: The business specializes in the rental and sales of luxury golf-course properties in secluded, exclusive locations throughout the Valley. It also provides services for people who own more than one home, in addition to vacation home watch and international vacation property rentals. Currently managing a property portfolio valued at more than $40 million, SPAS also offers weekly house checks and inspections.

A personal note from Siedentop: A man named Parks was my inspiration for starting the Phoenix Soldiers Foundation. One day, after a quick trip to purchase a sleeping bag, some warm clothes, food and gloves, I set out to find somebody deserving. Heading south on 15th Avenue, I spotted an old guy pushing a shopping cart through a field. I stopped and watched. He was collecting weeds and grass to be used for something. He came to my window and reached for my hand. “My name is Parks,” he said. He asked what church I was from. “No church,” I replied.

My eyes quickly looked at his feet. I always look at a person’s shoes second and eyes first. He had mismatched shoes—two left shoes, and they were in bad shape. I asked him about the weeds and trash in his cart. He replied that he “was making a bed.”

I got out of the car and pulled the bags from the trunk and began my version of wealth redistribution. Parks was not some lazy guy looking for a handout. I chatted with him for a while and found out that he had been a decorated horse trainer and was now homeless. I had a new pair of running shoes in my car, so I had him sit down and put them on his swollen feet. He got them on, and I watched him walk away with a new spring in his step. Good-will mission accomplished!

CHRISTOPHER SIEDENTOP
Passionate about serving our veterans
thephoenixsoldiers.com
csluxuryrentals@gmail.com
1.888.437.5551