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.

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.

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.