Not finished your party planning? Still getting the decorations finished, tablecloths ironed and the good china dusted off for a New Year's Party?
Maybe you're like me and still rushing around like a crazy fool trying to "tie off all those loose ends" before a few well deserved "days off".
I was at WalMart the other day shopping for Christmas and as always there never seemed to be enough hours in the day to do all I had to do. But, we find the time don't we? Sometimes, however, it's at the expense of others or other important things going on around us. As I was rushing to find a parking space which didn't require a Passport to travel into the main store, I saw a young man crossing to enter the store. Since I was 2 cars behind and hoping those in front of me wouldn't get the primo spaces I started to get antsy hoping this guy would move faster. As I lined up directly behind him I realized his delay was caused by a prosthetic on his left leg just below the knee. Immediately recognizing the gray Army T-shirt I stopped thinking poorly of his delayed gait and a tear came to my eye. His service and his sacrifice earned him the right to take his time just as much as anyone else. It was ME, the impatient person who had the problem.
We take many things for granted in this world and one thing is "our freedom". A freedom which is secured by soldiers in all ranks, from all ethnic groups and from every city and state across this great nation of ours. We owe these service members our undying thanks for their service and sacrifice.
So, next time you are in a rush and don't know what's causing it...slow down and be patient. We can't always move as fast as we want, we can't always get things done as fast as we want and we certainly can't do any more than we are capable of doing at that moment...much like our soldier in the parking lot.
Make this New Year a positive one by saying thanks to your family, your friends and your co-workers for being in your life. If you see a soldier on the street, say thanks. If you want to make a more lasting impact, consider supporting the non-profits and charities across this nation which serve our military and their families. To make a difference you can go to www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads and donate now! Or, you can text PATRIOT to 90999 on your cell phone and $5 will be donated to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads in your name. No muss...no fusss...it will be charged directly to your phone bill and you can use your billing to claim your tax deduction.
May each and every American have a Happy New Year and THANKS to all active duty/activated guard/activated reserve who serve here and around the globe as members of our US Military. Thanks as well to our military families who serve as well here at home!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tis the season to be jolly and it's not so jolly for many of our military families who are experiencing financial difficulties this holiday season. Rising costs, pay issues, unexpected expenses coupled with the deployment of a spouse creates financial strain on a family which can take them to the brink of frustration.
What can you do? Have you thought about making a donation in the form of a WalMart or Target Gift Card? These cards can be given to military families who need a little boost with they holiday gifts or some help supporting the cost of their holiday meal.
Would you like to make a donation of frequent flyer miles to the chapter either now or in the future to assist in transporting military members or their families when emergencies arise which will cost them out of pocket travel expenses. Sometimes these flights can be the birth of the first child, the death of an extended family member or just an opportunity for a service member to make one last trip home before deploying overseas. No matter what the reason, travel costs are not an expense which is easily funded by many organizations.
Take the time to share your wealth and holiday spirit either with a cash or in-kind donation of goods or services. Would you like to contribute your time or the time of your business in support of military families. These donations can help Operation Homefront Hampton Roads stretch the emergency assistance budget so more families can be assisted.
Every little bit helps and you can make a huge difference in the life of a family in crisis.
For more information visit www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads .
What can you do? Have you thought about making a donation in the form of a WalMart or Target Gift Card? These cards can be given to military families who need a little boost with they holiday gifts or some help supporting the cost of their holiday meal.
Would you like to make a donation of frequent flyer miles to the chapter either now or in the future to assist in transporting military members or their families when emergencies arise which will cost them out of pocket travel expenses. Sometimes these flights can be the birth of the first child, the death of an extended family member or just an opportunity for a service member to make one last trip home before deploying overseas. No matter what the reason, travel costs are not an expense which is easily funded by many organizations.
Take the time to share your wealth and holiday spirit either with a cash or in-kind donation of goods or services. Would you like to contribute your time or the time of your business in support of military families. These donations can help Operation Homefront Hampton Roads stretch the emergency assistance budget so more families can be assisted.
Every little bit helps and you can make a huge difference in the life of a family in crisis.
For more information visit www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads .
Sunday, December 13, 2009
What to do in line...
A little more than two weeks until Christmas! Is your shopping done? If you are anything like me, the panic is just starting to set in. I have so much shopping to do... I can hardly think about it. I've been preparing for months, but apparently not enough because here I am, with a list that rivals Santa's.
While I stare at the computer screen (as online shopping is increasingly becoming an addiction), I can't help thinking about those whose list exceeds their bank account. There are many among our ranks whose spouses are deployed or wounded and the expenses of day to day limit the number of extraneous treats in the budget.
This year, as you are waiting in lines that wrap around the store, why not use that time to help others who don't have enough room in their budget for such a trip?
While I stare at the computer screen (as online shopping is increasingly becoming an addiction), I can't help thinking about those whose list exceeds their bank account. There are many among our ranks whose spouses are deployed or wounded and the expenses of day to day limit the number of extraneous treats in the budget.
This year, as you are waiting in lines that wrap around the store, why not use that time to help others who don't have enough room in their budget for such a trip?
*Peek through those stands of gifts cards. Throw a practical one into your cart and donate it to Operation Homefront or other charitable groups. A gift card to a grocery or retail store can go a long way in easing the burden this year.
*Purchase a couple extra stamps at the Post Office this year. Imagine wanting to send your loved one a little gift, but being unable to squeeze the $10.95 it costs to ship a flat rate box. A stamp to cover that cost could go a long way!
*Don't forget the holidays will soon pass, but bills still need to be paid. Consider picking up an extra non-perishable item or two. Think about the daily needs... diapers, milk (soy or powdered), chunky soup, peanut butter.
*Feeling techy? Or just feeling a lack of creativity? Why not just text PATRIOT to 90999. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads would be glad to use the $5 that will be added to your next phone bill, to help a local military family.
After all, it's all about multi-tasking this time of year!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Holidays Approaching and How do we Give?
If you pay attention to the ads and hype of the season we continually hear "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". For many families, the holiday truly can be a most wonderful time. However, for many other families it will not be as they look to a holiday with a loved one deployed overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan or some other location away from family. As we approach the 3 week countdown to Christmas Day, requests for assistance in the Operation Homefront Hampton Roads Adopt-A-Family Program continue to be received at a rate of 2-3 per day. The individual needs are different but the general commonality between these requests is that families are struggling. They are struggling with mortgage payments, car repairs, bills which have accumulated over time whey they have experienced unexpected financial issues which have stressed their financial resources.
Many members of the community have called and offered their support. Some are supporting families directly, some are gathering as a group to sponsor one or more families and some are offering to "shop" for families to help Operation Homefront serve as many families as possible with the resources they have at hand but where there are volunteers needed to assist in getting the gifts purchased, wrapped and delivered.
How do you give each holiday season? Have you thought about making a change in your giving process this year? Instead of giving a gift to one or more friends, have you thought about making a testimonial donation in their name? What about a memorial gift for a friend who has passed and who you wish to remember with something from your heart? What about adopting a family who is in need? Instead of gifts within a group, why not ask your friends over and instead of sharing a gift, ask them to bring a cash donation and select a charity of choice.
Operation Homefront Hampton Roads serves the needs of military families where a service member is deployed or where a wounded warrior has returned home. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads could use your help to meet the needs of the families who don't have the resources available to make their season bright! Please consider making contact and sharing your holiday cheer with a military family here in your own backyard. For more information, visit www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads
Many members of the community have called and offered their support. Some are supporting families directly, some are gathering as a group to sponsor one or more families and some are offering to "shop" for families to help Operation Homefront serve as many families as possible with the resources they have at hand but where there are volunteers needed to assist in getting the gifts purchased, wrapped and delivered.
How do you give each holiday season? Have you thought about making a change in your giving process this year? Instead of giving a gift to one or more friends, have you thought about making a testimonial donation in their name? What about a memorial gift for a friend who has passed and who you wish to remember with something from your heart? What about adopting a family who is in need? Instead of gifts within a group, why not ask your friends over and instead of sharing a gift, ask them to bring a cash donation and select a charity of choice.
Operation Homefront Hampton Roads serves the needs of military families where a service member is deployed or where a wounded warrior has returned home. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads could use your help to meet the needs of the families who don't have the resources available to make their season bright! Please consider making contact and sharing your holiday cheer with a military family here in your own backyard. For more information, visit www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Community Supports the Homefront
There are so many ways we can support the organizations which are the foundation of support for our community. Everyone always thinks when a non-profit looks for support they mean CASH. That's not always the case.
Operation Homefront looks to find a broadbased way of providing support for military members in crisis. One family arrived in our area and after a short waiting period were offered on base housing. For many families this is a huge cost savings when they are able to use their military housing allowance for privatized housing on post. This particular family had only one problem...they had housing with no furniture. Not a bed, not a dresser, no living room furniture and no washer or dryer. Operation Homefront stepped in with donations from the community, providing slightly used furnishings for the family until they were able to afford their own.
All too often we look to find "what can we get" for those items in our home we are able to afford to replace. Why not reverse the thought and think "what can we give" and "who can benefit from it?"
Donated furnishings, vehicles (in working order only), non-perishable food items, grocery store or WalMart Gift Cards, all provide a level of support for our military families that can be turned into help for those military families in need. From the business community why not provide an in-kind donation to Operation Homefront. Instead of charging full price for your services, maybe you can provide a discount or "parts only". When service providers are able to share in the cost of a repair, Operation Homefront is able to stretch that donor dollar farther and is able to serve more families. Case in point, last Christmas a service member returned from Iraq and purchased a vehicle which "didn't run for very long". Because the vehicle was worth $500 and the repairs were in excess of $4,000, it wasn't cost effective to fix the car. Operation Homefront found a donated vehicle which needed a few repairs from one of the local used car businesses. Working with these two businesses, Operation Homefront was able to save 35% on the total cost of the repairs while getting the service member and his family back on the road and home for Christmas.
Non-profits to a lot with very little...but, what they are able to give to their clients is worth a fortune!
Operation Homefront looks to find a broadbased way of providing support for military members in crisis. One family arrived in our area and after a short waiting period were offered on base housing. For many families this is a huge cost savings when they are able to use their military housing allowance for privatized housing on post. This particular family had only one problem...they had housing with no furniture. Not a bed, not a dresser, no living room furniture and no washer or dryer. Operation Homefront stepped in with donations from the community, providing slightly used furnishings for the family until they were able to afford their own.
All too often we look to find "what can we get" for those items in our home we are able to afford to replace. Why not reverse the thought and think "what can we give" and "who can benefit from it?"
Donated furnishings, vehicles (in working order only), non-perishable food items, grocery store or WalMart Gift Cards, all provide a level of support for our military families that can be turned into help for those military families in need. From the business community why not provide an in-kind donation to Operation Homefront. Instead of charging full price for your services, maybe you can provide a discount or "parts only". When service providers are able to share in the cost of a repair, Operation Homefront is able to stretch that donor dollar farther and is able to serve more families. Case in point, last Christmas a service member returned from Iraq and purchased a vehicle which "didn't run for very long". Because the vehicle was worth $500 and the repairs were in excess of $4,000, it wasn't cost effective to fix the car. Operation Homefront found a donated vehicle which needed a few repairs from one of the local used car businesses. Working with these two businesses, Operation Homefront was able to save 35% on the total cost of the repairs while getting the service member and his family back on the road and home for Christmas.
Non-profits to a lot with very little...but, what they are able to give to their clients is worth a fortune!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Ways You Can Help
It seems as though the holidays bring out the best in people -- and for that we are grateful. During this time of year people are more aware of the needs of their fellow man. They think about that neighbor who has no family nearby on Thanksgiving. They realize the kids down the street whose father is in Iraq and their mother just got let go from her job might not have such a great Christmas. We are so glad that these needs are recognized and even more glad when they are acted on.
But what about every day? When the holidays are over and it's the middle of a bleak February, many of those needs are still there. The helping hand that was there in December is not extended in March. Those warm thoughts and feelings are shelved until the next holiday.
There are ways you can meet the needs of your neighbor, your brother, your fellow man or woman year-round. Applying for an Operation Homefront Credit Card allows you to donate whenever you make a purchase (Operation Homefront receives 1% of your purchases as a donation. It's a way of giving without spending more -- and helping our troops and the families they leave behind.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Military Family Month
"No one pays a higher price for our freedom than members of our Nation's military and their families. As sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and mothers and fathers are deployed, military families endure with exceptional resilience and courage. They provide our troops with invaluable encouragement and love, and serve our Nation in their own right. During Military Family Month, we honor the families of our Armed Forces and thank them for their dedication to our country." -President Barack Obama
This is how President Obama opened his proclamation to make November 2009 a Military Family Month. He encouraged "all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in the support of our service members and our Nation."
He set an example of both private actions and public service by signing the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act which exists to ease the paperwork and hassles that come from changing one's residency every time the military moves a family. Now spouses can maintain a residency in one state, in much the same way service members have been able to for decades due to the Soldier and Sailor Relief Act. Taking time out of his Veterans' Day plans, Obama showed military families that he makes them a priority.
~
What are you doing to honor military families this month? Have you chosen a public service such a volunteering with relief organizations or donating to morale groups? Have you done private actions such as bringing a family dinner while their dad is deployed or helping a struggling mom with a gift card to Harris Teeter? Every act, small or large, makes a rippling effect- blessing a family, strengthening morale for a deployed service member and, generally, aiding the troops in accomplishing their mission with a little less worry for their families tonight.
Remember if you are looking for a public opportunity, in the privacy of your home or office, just text PATRIOT to 90999! $5 can go a long way in supporting military families this month!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What to do on Veteran's Day
Have you thought about what you are going to be doing on Veteran's Day? Many will still be working their regular job and it will probably be just "another day". For others, particularly those in the military or in government positions where they have a day off, they may be thinking about a day at home with family. But, for hundreds of thousands of our nation, we will be looking back and reflecting on the sacrifice and service provided by our veterans.
If you are looking for something to do, check your newspaper or radio and you'll find many opportunities to participate in a local Veteran's Day event. Some local areas celebrate with a parade, others have speakers while others participate in a memorial event at the local Veteran's Cemetery. But, if you are one who's not shy, take the time to walk up to a military member you might see in uniform and say THANK YOU! I can guarantee you will bring a smile to their face and it might even give your "chills". It's not often that anyone takes the time to say thanks to our military. Isn't it sad that our lives get in the way of thanking those who secure our freedom 24/7/365?
Outback Steakhouse will be thanking our Veterans and Active Duty service members by providing a FREE Bloomin' Onion and beverage. Proof of military service will be required. At Applebees, Veteran's and Active Duty eat free at participating restaurants.
You can make a difference this Veteran's Day by saying THANKS. Smile at a service member, offer to pick up their tab at McDonalds or make a donation to your favorite charity that supports our military. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads provides emergency and morale support to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home. You can help our military families and wounded warriors here in Hampton Roads by texting PATRIOT on your cellphone to 90999. This will make a "no fuss" $5 donation which will be used to support the needs of our military families in crisis.
Operation Homefront Hampton Roads SALUTES OUR MILITARY, OUR VETERANS OF ALL WARS AND THE FAMILIES WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND during long and repeated deployments.
Happy Veteran's Day!
If you are looking for something to do, check your newspaper or radio and you'll find many opportunities to participate in a local Veteran's Day event. Some local areas celebrate with a parade, others have speakers while others participate in a memorial event at the local Veteran's Cemetery. But, if you are one who's not shy, take the time to walk up to a military member you might see in uniform and say THANK YOU! I can guarantee you will bring a smile to their face and it might even give your "chills". It's not often that anyone takes the time to say thanks to our military. Isn't it sad that our lives get in the way of thanking those who secure our freedom 24/7/365?
Outback Steakhouse will be thanking our Veterans and Active Duty service members by providing a FREE Bloomin' Onion and beverage. Proof of military service will be required. At Applebees, Veteran's and Active Duty eat free at participating restaurants.
You can make a difference this Veteran's Day by saying THANKS. Smile at a service member, offer to pick up their tab at McDonalds or make a donation to your favorite charity that supports our military. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads provides emergency and morale support to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home. You can help our military families and wounded warriors here in Hampton Roads by texting PATRIOT on your cellphone to 90999. This will make a "no fuss" $5 donation which will be used to support the needs of our military families in crisis.
Operation Homefront Hampton Roads SALUTES OUR MILITARY, OUR VETERANS OF ALL WARS AND THE FAMILIES WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND during long and repeated deployments.
Happy Veteran's Day!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Fear of Fundraising
Do you run for the opposite doors at the supermarket when you see the Salvation Army Bell ringers or look down at your keys with the Girl Scouts are selling their cookies? Don't worry, we've all done it. The important thing to realize is these activities, particularly those for the scouts, serve a purpose. For the scouting activities it's building leadership and community service. For the other organizations seeking assistance, it's helping other members less fortunate in your community who can't help themselves.
We are currently working with a client who has TBI (Tramautic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as a result of service in Iraq. This service member needs assistance with bills that he can't support with his current income which is disability only. Operation Homefront is assisting with his $675 dollars worth of bills to get his family back on track and not worrying about loss of home or collections while he waits for his open VA claim to be resolved. Another service member returned from overseas as a wounded warrior only to get 5 mos behind in mortgage payments and in danger of foreclosure. A family of 8, Operation Homefront is working with this family to keep them in housing as the weather gets colder and the holiday season approached.
Non-profits are continually looking for ways to make donating easy. At Operation Homefront we look to find ways we can make our fundraising efforts easy and non-threatening but still providing opportunities to raise funds for the military families in the junior enlisted ranks who need our help. What can you do to help? You can text PATRIOT to 90999 on your cell phone and donate $5 to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. The $5 will be added seamlessly to your cell phone bill. You can use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine and a portion of the advertising fees collected by GoodSearch will be donated to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. All you do is list Operation Homefront Hampton Roads as your charity of choice and GoodSearch makes the donation at NO COST to you. You can purchase a $25 gift card from Food Lion or Farm Fresh and drop it by the chapter office. These cards are invaluable during the holidays when we try to make certain military families have a pleasant holiday meal with all the trimmings. Have you thought about adopting a family during the holidays? Your choice on location and size of the family and we match you with military families in the area who are experiencing financial issues which place their family in need this coming holiday season.
It's not what you do or how much you choose to donate...it's merely the fact that you have! Take the time now...make that call to your favorite charity or visit our website www.operationhomefront.net and let us help you help a military family in need.
We are currently working with a client who has TBI (Tramautic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as a result of service in Iraq. This service member needs assistance with bills that he can't support with his current income which is disability only. Operation Homefront is assisting with his $675 dollars worth of bills to get his family back on track and not worrying about loss of home or collections while he waits for his open VA claim to be resolved. Another service member returned from overseas as a wounded warrior only to get 5 mos behind in mortgage payments and in danger of foreclosure. A family of 8, Operation Homefront is working with this family to keep them in housing as the weather gets colder and the holiday season approached.
Non-profits are continually looking for ways to make donating easy. At Operation Homefront we look to find ways we can make our fundraising efforts easy and non-threatening but still providing opportunities to raise funds for the military families in the junior enlisted ranks who need our help. What can you do to help? You can text PATRIOT to 90999 on your cell phone and donate $5 to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. The $5 will be added seamlessly to your cell phone bill. You can use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine and a portion of the advertising fees collected by GoodSearch will be donated to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. All you do is list Operation Homefront Hampton Roads as your charity of choice and GoodSearch makes the donation at NO COST to you. You can purchase a $25 gift card from Food Lion or Farm Fresh and drop it by the chapter office. These cards are invaluable during the holidays when we try to make certain military families have a pleasant holiday meal with all the trimmings. Have you thought about adopting a family during the holidays? Your choice on location and size of the family and we match you with military families in the area who are experiencing financial issues which place their family in need this coming holiday season.
It's not what you do or how much you choose to donate...it's merely the fact that you have! Take the time now...make that call to your favorite charity or visit our website www.operationhomefront.net and let us help you help a military family in need.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sending some cheer...
~
I was living two months ahead last year.
My husband was deployed,
so I was making stockings in October and
preparing Valentines in December.
It was a little weird, but I was determined
to bring as much joy to my husband's little stateroom
as USPS box would hold.
~
The USPS has published the mailing deadlines
to guarantee holiday arrival to our troops overseas.
And don't forget to ask for flat rate boxes!
They save money when you are sending heavy items.
(Food, Books, DVD's, etc.)
~
Send some Cheer!
And don't forget the families here at home.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Clients in Need...Do you have resources to help?
During his 5 deployments, he's seen more horrific things than you could ever see in a Hollywood movie. Too horrible to recount here. Randy has served 14 years and is a highly decorated soldier, but those horrible deaths he witnessed took their toll, resulting in a severe case of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). His marriage didn't last and depression and desperation set in. His net pay after bills and child support is less than $300 per month. He couldn't afford to fix his brakes or pay his electric bill. Operation Homefront helped him with those immediate needs.
Michael is a wounded warrior. His back problems has him on 60% disability. He has an open claim with the VA, but that can take 18 months to 2 years. Meanwhile, his $1079 per month, with $800 in child support doesn't leave enough for an apartment, which means he can't have his kids come visit. He recently found a job, and operation Homefront is helping him with rent and some household items.
There are so many like Randy and Michael. Operation Homefront helps the families of deployed soldiers and wounded warriors when they return. We don't want these brave soldiers to be worried that their wives can't take their babies to the doctor because the car is broken down while they are over there fighting to keep us safe and themselves alive.
If you would like to offer ways you might be able to help support the varied needs of our military families, we'd like to hear from you. If you know of an enlisted family in need of assistance here in Virginia, please have them make contact with our organization. www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads.
Michael is a wounded warrior. His back problems has him on 60% disability. He has an open claim with the VA, but that can take 18 months to 2 years. Meanwhile, his $1079 per month, with $800 in child support doesn't leave enough for an apartment, which means he can't have his kids come visit. He recently found a job, and operation Homefront is helping him with rent and some household items.
There are so many like Randy and Michael. Operation Homefront helps the families of deployed soldiers and wounded warriors when they return. We don't want these brave soldiers to be worried that their wives can't take their babies to the doctor because the car is broken down while they are over there fighting to keep us safe and themselves alive.
If you would like to offer ways you might be able to help support the varied needs of our military families, we'd like to hear from you. If you know of an enlisted family in need of assistance here in Virginia, please have them make contact with our organization. www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Community Support for our Military
It's always gratifying to see individuals and organizations in the community who make things available to members of our military and their families. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads is partnering with The Military Newspapers of VA, The Virginia Pilot, The Flagship and Grand Furniture to provide a $10,000 Military Home Makeover. No, there's no catch. Anyone can go to www.flagshipnews.com/home_makeover/ and they can nominate an active duty service member or military retiree residing in Hampton Roads. The deadline to submit entries is Veteran's Day, November 11, 2009. The winning family will receive $10,000 in home furnishing of their choice from Grand Furniture.
Other local business support our military in other ways. For instance, Cook's Moving and Storage Company has donated their box at the Norfolk Admiral's game on Friday, October 23rd. 8 sailors from the recently returned USS Bainbridge will be guests of Cook's Moving and Storage and Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. What an easy way to say thanks to our military for their service and sacrifice. Earlier this summer, the Oriole's Reach Program donated 45 and Bank of America donated 35 tickets each to the Norfolk Tides season of games.
Do you have frequent flyer miles you'd be willing to donate to a service member or family who needs to pay for emergency travel? How about seats at a local event or activity you are unable to attend...hockey, baseball, theatre, Norfolk Zoo, VA Living Museum, or a local concert? Whether it's one ticket or more, having these items available to our military members is one more way of "giving back" and saying Thank you for All that You Do to keep us free!
What are other ways you can support our military? If you have furnishings or small appliances you are replacing and they are in a gently used condition, there are always military families who are in need of extra items for their home. Maybe you are moving and have some canned goods or non-perishable food items you would like to donate to the Operation Homefront Hampton Roads Food Pantry. How about a $25 gift card to Food Lion or Farm Fresh? These gift cards are given to military families who may struggle one month due to bills or pay issues and they have a need for a helping hand. If you are a service provider, maybe you can consider offering a portion of your services to a military family in need. It doesn't take much...maybe a discount on labor, parts only or event a pro bono service if the opportunity presents itself. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads can use these discounts to save the cash for emergency financial assistance where there are no discounts on service or labor available. Would you like to
Adopt-A-Family for the holidays? We have families in need of support.
Are you looking for a way to give back, we need volunteers. We are specifically interested in volunteers who are interested in helping with our coordination and implementation of special events. Do you enjoy Comedy Clubs? We have an event on Nov. 12th at Cozzy's and need volunteers. How about Holiday events? We're gearing up for Operation Christmas and we will be collecting and distributing toys all over the chapter jurisdiction to brighten the holidays for our military families. Come spring we will be scheduling our 5K Run for the Homefront and as always, our premier event Freedom Walk 2010. It's never too early to join our Special Events Team.
Have you got an idea on what we can do to help our military and their families? Let us know! We can use your ideas and your help to go that extra mile to make life "Here on the Homefront " better for those we serve.
Other local business support our military in other ways. For instance, Cook's Moving and Storage Company has donated their box at the Norfolk Admiral's game on Friday, October 23rd. 8 sailors from the recently returned USS Bainbridge will be guests of Cook's Moving and Storage and Operation Homefront Hampton Roads. What an easy way to say thanks to our military for their service and sacrifice. Earlier this summer, the Oriole's Reach Program donated 45 and Bank of America donated 35 tickets each to the Norfolk Tides season of games.
Do you have frequent flyer miles you'd be willing to donate to a service member or family who needs to pay for emergency travel? How about seats at a local event or activity you are unable to attend...hockey, baseball, theatre, Norfolk Zoo, VA Living Museum, or a local concert? Whether it's one ticket or more, having these items available to our military members is one more way of "giving back" and saying Thank you for All that You Do to keep us free!
What are other ways you can support our military? If you have furnishings or small appliances you are replacing and they are in a gently used condition, there are always military families who are in need of extra items for their home. Maybe you are moving and have some canned goods or non-perishable food items you would like to donate to the Operation Homefront Hampton Roads Food Pantry. How about a $25 gift card to Food Lion or Farm Fresh? These gift cards are given to military families who may struggle one month due to bills or pay issues and they have a need for a helping hand. If you are a service provider, maybe you can consider offering a portion of your services to a military family in need. It doesn't take much...maybe a discount on labor, parts only or event a pro bono service if the opportunity presents itself. Operation Homefront Hampton Roads can use these discounts to save the cash for emergency financial assistance where there are no discounts on service or labor available. Would you like to
Adopt-A-Family for the holidays? We have families in need of support.
Are you looking for a way to give back, we need volunteers. We are specifically interested in volunteers who are interested in helping with our coordination and implementation of special events. Do you enjoy Comedy Clubs? We have an event on Nov. 12th at Cozzy's and need volunteers. How about Holiday events? We're gearing up for Operation Christmas and we will be collecting and distributing toys all over the chapter jurisdiction to brighten the holidays for our military families. Come spring we will be scheduling our 5K Run for the Homefront and as always, our premier event Freedom Walk 2010. It's never too early to join our Special Events Team.
Have you got an idea on what we can do to help our military and their families? Let us know! We can use your ideas and your help to go that extra mile to make life "Here on the Homefront " better for those we serve.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pennies Make Dollars
When my kids were young, maybe 6 or 7 I used to have them clean up their rooms and I'd say "bring me whatever you don't want and I'll throw it out". The first time they brought me a box, I rooted around in it and found pennies under bits and pieces of toys that were most certainly junk. I asked them "why are you throwing out pennies?" My youngest looked at me with that incredulous look kids get and with a straight face said "Mom, you can't buy anything with a penny". At first I wanted to snap back "but it's money" and then I realized she was right...now in these times, you can't buy anything for a penny. When I sat her down and said "but with 25 pennies you can get a gum ball out of the bubble gum machine" she smiled and reached for the box quickly putting the pennies back into her pocket.
Working for a non-profit if there is one thing that I have learned is that even the little bit of change in your pocket can make a difference! So, when you hear that Bell Ringer at the supermarket, see if you have change in your pocket and don't try to go in the door at the other end of the store to avoid the smiling volunteer. At least open and read the mail you get which is obviously an appeal for help. Don't throw that piece of furniture away if it's usable and you could donate it to an organization which will turn it into a treasure for a family in need. Think before you throw and when you reach in your pockets...reach deep! Look for the pennies, look for that crumpled dollar bill or in our case Text PATRIOT to 90999 and make a $5 donation to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads (deducted from your cell phone bill). Helping can be as easy as that.
Working for a non-profit if there is one thing that I have learned is that even the little bit of change in your pocket can make a difference! So, when you hear that Bell Ringer at the supermarket, see if you have change in your pocket and don't try to go in the door at the other end of the store to avoid the smiling volunteer. At least open and read the mail you get which is obviously an appeal for help. Don't throw that piece of furniture away if it's usable and you could donate it to an organization which will turn it into a treasure for a family in need. Think before you throw and when you reach in your pockets...reach deep! Look for the pennies, look for that crumpled dollar bill or in our case Text PATRIOT to 90999 and make a $5 donation to Operation Homefront Hampton Roads (deducted from your cell phone bill). Helping can be as easy as that.
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