Sgt Grit Patrons Support Marines at Bethesda Naval Hospital
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Funds, Charities, and other Assistance
Balboa Naval Hospital Help
Not only is Balboa Naval Hospital receiving our injured heroes but the medical facilities at Camp Pendleton are also at near No Vacancy populations. In the latter case it's not money that is needed for our wounded Marines at Pendleton but stuff. Here's why and what they need:
At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, some of the spouses of the deployed Marines put together hundreds of recovery baskets in anticipation of wounded Marines arriving at our military hospitals. The purpose behind these baskets was to provide the wounded with personal items to be used during their hospital stay and to help fill up their days while being confined in the hospitals. However, due to the higher than anticipated numbers of wounded, they are all but out of the supplies to outfit these baskets.
They are in need of the following items:
nonperishable food (snacks and candy), DVDs, all sizes of batteries, phone cards, Game Boy games, books and magazines, Domino's Pizza gift certificates (they deliver on base), towels and wash cloths, and hygiene gear (razors and shaving cream).
These items can be sent to:
MSgt William Bonney
c/o 1st Marine Division (REIN)
Bldg 1413,Room 200, Box 555380
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5380
Eastern PA River Runners
The Eastern PA River Runners are a group of personal watercraft enthusiasts who believe in Freedom to Ride! They are a newly formed charter club of the American Watercraft Association. The club was chartered on March 11, 2006 and is based in Reading, PA.
They are hosting a National Freedom Ride on July 11th thru July 12th up the Potomac. They will be raising money for the Family and Friends for Freedom fund.
There will be about 10-12 watercraft and riders as of now, with 2 larger safety boats, and land support vehicles.
Any Injured Marines that are interested in joining the group need to contact them with all of their information.
For donations and to join in the fun: Check out their website at easternpariverrunners.com.
Family & Friends For Freedom Fund, Inc
Our mission is to raise funds for Injured Marines and their families. Our severely wounded Marines continue to fight battles here at home with their struggle to adjust to their injuries. Our mission is to provide financial support to injured Marines while they continue their long road to recovery and to continue to support the "Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. Visit our web-site at www.injuredmarinesfund.org for more information.
Thank you
Paula Sturla
President of Family & Friends For Freedom Fund, Inc
Fisher House Foundation
Supporting America's military in their time of need, we provide
"a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
Donations can be mailed to:
Fisher House™ Foundation, Inc.
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20852
The Genesis Institute
The Genesis Institutes mission is to work on behalf of veterans/and their families in the area of help/treatment with PTSD and other war related traumas. They also work long distance with many soldiers serving in Iraq and other overseas locations. This is a non-profit organization. Contact Dr. Ariane T. Alexander, war trauma specialist, at:
The Genesis Institute,
39120 Argonaut Way No. 541,
Fremont, CA 94538 USA
510.790.1550
Or Email docalexander.wardawg@yahoo.com
Harm Program
Department Of Texas Marine Corps League
Program which supports the OIF/Afghanistan wounded Marines recovering at
Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland
Air Force Base (LAFB). Since the two hospitals are located in San Antonio,
Texas, the Alamo Detachment MCL has taken up the responsibility of visiting
and supporting the Marines and their families. It is a MCL Department Of
Texas project but we provide most of the volunteers since we live here.
Most of the Marines are very young and
are in ICU wards because of the seriousness of their injuries. These Marines
are from all over the States and their families are with them on a daily
basis. We help them as well with moral support and what ever we can offer to
them.
We also support the Navy Corpsmen that are also injured from
OIF/Afghanistan. We are incorporated and tax exempt and rely strictly on donations from
supporters.
H.A.R.M.
c/o Department of Texas MCL
ATTN: Joe Chavez
Dept. of Texas Adjutant
Paymaster
1101 W. Lynwood Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78201-5250
Be sure to indicate H.A.R.M. on the “memo” line of your check.
All donations are tax deductible.
Semper Fidelis,
Joe R. Chavez,
HARM Chairman
Operation Hero Miles
Operation Hero Miles allows people to turn in their frequent flyer miles so troops can fly home on leave from Iraq and Afghanistan or family members can visit their loved ones in military hospitals. www.heromiles.org
Hugs from Home
Hugs from Home is a small and soon to be “non-profit” organization made up of caring individuals from all over the United States. The great thing about Hugs fom Home is that our members are able to "adopt" an individual hero. We commit to writing that person at least once a month throughout their entire deployment but many “huggers” do that and so much more in the form of sending care packages, and remembering them on their birthdays and holidays. What we may consider to be “small” gestures can really make a big difference in the life of someone who is serving our country overseas. I have been fortunate to have maintained friendships with a couple of Marines that I sponsored who have returned from Iraq.
It is difficult to put into words how much a simple letter from a caring individual, even a stranger, can make in the life of one of our heroes overseas. The morale of our Marines and soldiers can be lifted with only a few words of kindness and appreciation. It doesn't take a lot of time, and a letter only costs 39 cents but can have a tremendous impact on the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.
If anyone is interested in “adopting” an individual, they can contact Hugs from Home by email at Hugsfromhomeinc@yahoo.com or by mail at:
Hugs from Home, P.O. Box 313, Oceanville, NJ 08231.
New members will receive the name and address of their hero usually in less than 24 hours. Thank you for your time.
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
The injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides financial grants and other resources to injured Marines, Sailors, and their families. The Fund works closely with the Marine Corps and military hospitals nationwide to identify and assess the needs of specific families. Its goal is to provide immediate and real financial assistance to Marines, Sailors and their families during this extraordinarily stressful time. The hope is that by alleviating the financial stresses of our brave Marines and Sailors, they and their families can focus on the important job of physical and emotional healing.
Donations are accepted by check payable to the fund.
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund - http://www.semperfifund.org/
825 College Blvd, Suite 102
PMB 609
Oceanside, CA 92057
Help Wounded at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
I am writing to tell you about a project the Ramstein Cadet Squadron at
Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is starting. The Landstuhl Regional Medical
Center (LRMC) here in Germany got an influx of about 500 wounded troops
from Iraq last week and more arrive almost daily. They arrive straight
from the battlefield, with only the torn, dirty, bloody clothes on their
back. They have no clothes, underwear, or toiletry items. The hospital
provides them with only a cotton gown or pajamas, robe, and disposable
slippers. Some stay only a few days before being sent to hospitals
stateside, while others are here up to several weeks. The military gives
them a $250 voucher to buy clothing and toiletries at the BX, but many
are not ambulatory, and those who are have to wait for a bus to get down
to the BX on Ramstein 7 miles away. The BX runs out of things and it
takes weeks for more to come in. Those who can go to the BX still need
something to wear to get there!
The cadets are collecting new clothing and toiletries so that they can
take them to the wounded at LRMC. Below is a list of items the wounded
need. It is cold here in Germany and warm items are needed. Items need
not be name brands. Your money will go further at places like Wal-Mart
and K-Mart where items can be purchased less expensively.
For males - all sizes, but mostly medium and large
briefs boxer shorts
undershirts or T-shirts white crew sox
cotton turtleneck shirts flannel shirts
sweatshirts (crew or zip-up hooded)
sweat pants inexpensive athletic shoes
knit caps knit gloves
For females - all sizes, but mostly medium and large
cotton briefs cotton T-shirts
cotton turtleneck shirts flannel shirts
bras - mostly sizes 34, 36, 38 with cup sizes B and C
white crew sox sweatshirts (crew or zip-up hooded)
sweat pants inexpensive athletic shoes
knit caps knit gloves
Toiletry articles -
disposable razors tooth brushes
shaving cream - regular and/or travel size
deodorant - regular and/or travel size
tooth paste - regular and/or travel size
nail clippers combs
hair brushes
The hospital could also use new or used video tapes or DVDs of movies
for the patients to watch. Comedies or light drama are best. Please
avoid movies about war or those with excessive violence.
If your squadron would like to help, we would greatly appreciate it, no
matter what the quantity. Every little bit helps. Individuals are
welcomed to help, also.
Send your donations to:
Lt Col Lori Noyes (or) Ramstein Cadet Squadron NHQ-OS-119
PSC 2 Box 6037 Unit 3395
APO AE 09094-3395
We can get items to the hospital faster if they come to my mailing
address, but feel free to send them to the squadron address.
Feel free to pass the word along to other CAP units in your wing. Thank
you for your support of our troops.
In service,
Lori L. Noyes, Lt Col, CAP
Deputy Commander
Ramstein Cadet Squadron
Lubbock Marine Parents
We are Lubbock Marine Parents and we are a support group for parents and loved ones of U.S. Marines. We meet once a month and send care packages to our deployed Marines several times a year. Our website is lubbockmarineparents.blogspot.com.
Thank you!
Buff Rattan
Secretary - Lubbock Marine Parents
Proud mom of two Marines
Marine Corps Family Support Community
The Marine Corps Family Support Community is 501(c)(3) organization in central Ohio. We support deployed Ohio Marines with care packages each month and provide support for the families at home. In addition to individual Marines, we send care packages to Marine units and clothing and other items to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Brooke Arm Hospital in Texas each month. We can be contacted through our web site WWW.MCFSC.COM.
Should you need any further information you can contact me at the sending e-mail address or 614-783-7420
Roger Bock
USMC 66-68
RVN 66-67
Marine Family Fund
The United States Marine Corps "E" Company 2nd Battalion 24th Marines, better known to central Iowans as KCCI's "TOYS FOR TOTS" Marines, were deployed to Iraq for active duty in October.
The Family Fund will help ensure that if a local Marine is injured, a family member will be able to travel to be by his or her side. The fund will also be used for family emergencies. All money donated will go directly to the fund. Send your check donation to:
Marines Echo Company Family Fund
c/o KCCI-TV
888 Ninth St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Note: Donations are not tax-deductible.
Marine Graduation Foundation
We are a Missouri Nonprofit Certified Corporation on 18th day of May, 2005. Purpose of the organization: To assist financially challenged parents of Marine Recruits to be able to attend their son or daughter's graduation from Boot Camp in San Diego, CA and Parris Island, SC. The foundation has helped over 100 families in the first year!
Our Foundation will provide up to $500.00 per family if funds are available. We are now a 501(C)3 tax deductible organization.
The cost for a family to visit their Marines graduation will depend on where they are from and how many days they will attend. The applications are submitted on line or printed out and sent to the CEO for approval.
If approved they are sent to CFO for scheduling and paying. All applications are entered on a spreadsheet and all files are secure.
You may help by passing the word out on the website www.usmcgrad.org, forwarding the site via email to other Marines, etc. The more support we get, the more families we can help. Please provide us any suggestions or questions you may have. Thank you and God bless.
Marines Helping Wounded Marines
The Department of Maryland Marine Corps League actively seeks to provide
assistance to US Marines that have been severely injured in Afghanistan,
Iraq and other conflicts throughout the world whilst recuperating at the
National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center. Donations can be sent to:
Department of Maryland
Marine Corps League
PO Box 141
Westminster, MD 21158
Military Missions, Inc.
Military Missions is hosting a talk show in our community on June 8th. We are bringing “Talking with Heroes” to Lexington, KY. The host of the show, Bob Calvert, travels around the US talking to our heroes, hearing straight from them about deployment and the good things that are accomplished overseas. He has also been over to Iraq twice and has some great interviews from those trips. We will be interviewing local military leaders in our community, and placing a LIVE video-teleconference call to our local unit currently deployed to Afghanistan. We are hoping that in hosting this event, we can bring civilians to the realization that they need to be serving their country too. We can all serve our country by supporting and encouraging our military.
If you are interested in having our organization support your Marine, or if you are interested in helping us support all of these men and women that are serving, please visit our website at www.militarymissionsonline.com. We would be honored to support your Marine and would greatly appreciate your help in our endeavors to support and encourage those that are willing to stand in the gap so that you and I can live in freedom. In addition, you can find out more information about “Talking with Heroes”. You might just want to sponsor the event in your community!
Beth Pennington
Proud Marine Mom and Founder of Military Missions
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) provides emergency financial and non-financial assistance to members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and their eligible family members
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
4015 Wilson Blvd
10th Flr
Arlington, VA 22203
Operation Care and Comfort
Operation: Care and Comfort is a San Francisco Bay Area based, all volunteer military care package organization. We adopt entire units (we currently serve about 35), shipping to them each month until they return home.
We are in our fourth year, working under the banner of the Santa Clara Valley American Red Cross, and have shipped over 175,000 pounds of care packages to our troops in the conflict regions. We are proud to announce TroopFest 2006, a pro- military festival and benefit concert (5 hours of classic rock music featuring Greg Kihn) that will be held on board the USS Hornet in Alameda CA on September 30th. This event is co hosted by the San Jose Marine Corps League, CSR Realty, 98.5KFOX, and America Supports You. Please visit our web site, www.operationcareandcomfort.com for ways to help, and our new web site www.troopfest.org to learn more about our big holiday event!
Operation First Response
Operation First Response focuses on wounded troops from Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to 11 combat support hospitals in Iraq. We are always in need of financial donations as well as sweatshirts, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, razors, etc. and backpacks for delivery of these essentials. OFR also provides assistance to families of wounded Heroes with travel expenses and financial burdens they incur during this period.
Any donation items should be sent directly to this address:
Operation First Response
12444 Old Mill Road
Midland, VA 22728
Phone Cards to Wounded Troops
I have been asked where phone cards can be sent to our wounded troops recuperating at Walter Reed Hospital, so they can freely call home -- especially during the Holidays.
The address is:
Medical Family Assistance Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, 20307-5001.
It should be noted that the government does not pay for long distance telephone calls.
Salute Heroes Organization
Every day a wounded veteran and their family must struggle to overcome the loss of a limb, significant burns, or even the reality of being in a wheelchair. Our mission is to help them overcome these obstacles and resume a productive and fulfilling life.
Sew Much Comfort
I just wanted to let everyone know about a great organization. I've recently gotten involved with a group called Sew Much Comfort. They take ready made clothing and adapt it for surgical/medical appliances on wounded troops. They will take financial donations if you don't sew. This way the wounded don't have to spend all their time in hospital gowns. When you're in the hospital you feel better when you can wear real clothes, from my own experience.
Semper Fi,
Anna Grabill
Tennessee Marine Family
Tennessee Marine Family is a non-profit organization formed in May of 2004 to provide assistance to Marines, Sailors, Seamen and Soldiers and their families. TMF has sent over 4,000 pounds of supplies to the troops, provided financial assistance for a Gold Star Mother to see her grandchildren in another state for the Thanksgiving holidays, donated toys for a Gold Star Mother for her Toys for Tots Campaign in honor of her Fallen Marine, and sent Christmas cards to deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
You may contact us by e-mail at usmcmom6902@yahoo.com if you have any questions or send all donations to Tennessee Marine Family, P. O. Box 680786, Franklin, Tennessee, 37068-0786.
Donna Clemons , President
Tennessee Marine Family
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS) provides a wide variety of programs and information to survivors, military and casualty personnel and others. TAPS is a national non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those who have lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces. To donate by mail, please send to:
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc.
National Headquarters
2001 S Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
We Care Campaign
The Avenel Detachment of the Marine Corps League #189 in Avenel New Jersey is sponsoring a 'We Care Campaign" for all of our New Jersey "Warriors" presently serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We will provide a "We Care Package" to every New Jersey "Warrior" we receive an address for! Included in the package are items that may make life a little easier as well as a telephone calling card for the "Warrior" to stay in touch with his or her loved ones. All donations will be used to purchase items for the We Care Campaign.
Please contact:
Jim Hamilton, Chief of Staff on 732-634-1299
Joe Castelli, Judge Advocate on 732-636-6673 or E-Mail joecast417@aol.com
Marty Martino, Commandant on 732-636-4381 or E-Mail martinome@aol.com
Projects and other Resources
American Flag Disposal
Dispose of your tattered, worn out and frayed American flags without cost to you. Send your flag to the: Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866 and we will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner with full honors pursuant to the United States Code. Please, don’t throw your old flag in the trash, send them to us!Armed Services Blood Program
The Armed Services Blood Program is a government agency tasked with collecting, testing, and shipping blood products to military treatment facilities all over the world. Any where you can help us spread the word would be much appreciated.
Abigail Beaty
Blood Donor Recruiter
Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton
Phone: 760.725.1495/1490
Or Email apbeaty@cpen.med.navy.mil
A Soldier's Hope
I am proud of you for standing up for what you believe. My father is a retired mean, not as lean but still a Marine.
I have an organization that helps to provide moral support to our troops. Will you look at my site and consider adding me to your list. I want to help as many servicemen and women that we can, www.asoldiershope.org.
Thank you for your kindness and your service to this great nation.
Kim Curran
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Founded to promote, through the encouragement of the study of Marine Corps history and traditions, a deeper understanding of the historical role of the United States Marine Corps and the men and women who have served as Marines.
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
PO Box 420
307 5th Ave
Quantico, VA 22134
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation of volunteer men and women dedicated to providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of United States Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
P.O. Box 3008
Princeton, NJ 08543-3008
Phone: (800) 292-7777
Fax: (609) 452-2259
Marine Families Online in Action
We have an amazing group of proactive women from across the nation who network together to ensure condolence activities are conducted for the benefit of the families of our fallen Marines and other servicemembers.
We keep up a listing of the fallen and of the person who is volunteering to build a Condolence Book for parents, and wife/fiance'. We currently have one woman working on books for the three Polish soldiers killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq as well. We also help to coordinate and assist other groups who are also involved in condolence activities when we can. We provide an active photo album and files listing that provides information and assistance in building the Condolence Books, as well as a database for memorial funds that have been set up in honor of various fallen Marines... some benefit the children of the Fallen, others are scholarship funds, and still others provide community service resources to Marine families.
We welcome new members. Just email: MFO_In_Action@yahoogroups.com
Laura Temple
Semper Fi mom x2
1 stateside, 1 deployed - Iraq
Operation Stars and Stripes
In the past, it was common for troops to take an American Flag with them to war, and
upon their return, they would present their flag to loved ones who had waited for
their safe return home from combat.
Operation Stars & Stripes would like to rekindle that tradition. We are seeking to
raise enough funds to purchase an American Flag (3' x 5') for each United States
Marine deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq, and for those already deployed.
Visit the Website for more information www.operationstarsandstripes.org
SSP Soldier Portraits
A group that is making scroll saw portraits of fallen soldiers and giving them to the family. This is done at absolutely no charge to the family. We would like the fallen heroes of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom with a custom designed and hand-crafted wooden portrait of their loved one. Our goal is make a portrait for each family. If you are a family member or know how to reach a family we would like you to contact us so we may make arrangements to cut and deliver one to you. The portraits are meant for direct family members, such as Fathers, Mothers, Wives, Husbands, etc. Due to the size of the project only one framed and one ready to be framed by the family will be made and given freely to the family members of a soldier. To learn more about our project and to see how we are developing see Scroll Saw Portraits. Family contact information is kept confidential and will be deleted and destroyed after the project is complete. To send for a wooden portrait contact PortraitFreedom@hotmail.com.
United States Marines Birthplace Memorial
We are building a USMC Birthplace & Tun Tavern Memorial in Philly.
We could use your input and endorsement.
Please check out the site and email me.
Veteran's History Project
The Veterans History Project relies on volunteers to interview, record, compile and donate materials. All are encouraged to participate: veterans, civilians, adults, young people, men, women, scholars, students, amateurs, and experts. In turn, participants can rely on the Library of Congress to preserve, catalog, and share these collections now and in the future.
Primary focus is on first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans from the following 20th Century wars:
- World War I (1914-1920)
- World War II (1939-1946)
- Korean War (1950-1955)
- Vietnam War (1961-1975)
- Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)
Please Note: If you have additional organizations or information to add to this page, please email Sgt. Grit (contact@grunt.com)