Groups offer support for troops, families
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/67291/
For soldiers overseas, support is everything.
That’s why businesses, organizations and residents in Northwest Arkansas are banding together to provide a network of services for deployed military and their families.
“ It’s a long time to be over there, and communication really makes a difference, ” Steve Gray, veteran affairs coordinator for U. S. Rep. John Boozman’s office, said. “ There are more foundations and private entities helping the military today than ever before. ”
Organizations such as Soldiers ’ Angels, Support the Troops and Heroes at Home provide a myriad of services from free shipping and donations to care packages and emergency correspondence.
“ The main thing we do is collect product and monetary donations, ” Paige Smith, co-chairman for Support the Troops, said. “ We do drives all year. Usually, we sit in front of a Wal-Mart store with a list of supplies that soldiers need. People pick up the lists and bring the items to us. ”
Support the Troops is a 501 (c )(3 ) public charity dedicated to supporting deployed soldiers by addressing both general and specific needs. While product donations are always appreciated, Smith said the cost of shipping is often the group’s biggest challenge.
“ Last year, our biggest ship- ment was 10, 000 pounds, ” she said. “ It took us a week to sort through everything and process it. A lot of people don’t realize how expensive it is to ship those donations overseas. That’s why monetary donations are really our biggest need right now. ”
Though companies such as Shred-It and Simmons First have assisted with shipping and transportation costs, Smith said the need for monetary funding continues to outgrow the supply of donations. Area residents can help by making a donation at any Arvest Bank or by visiting www. supportthetroops-nwa. com.
Gray said support from area businesses plays a crucial role in adequately serving deployed military and their families. Fortunately, businesses in Northwest Arkansas have stepped up to the plate.
Companies such as A. G. Edwards, Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods Inc. have provided free shipping, monetary donations and transportation. Even small, locally based businesses are doing their part to support the troops. Rock Bottom Comics in Fayetteville, for instance, provides free shipping to soldiers overseas.
“ It means so much to these guys, if for no other reason, to say ‘ We’re thinking of you, and keep up the good work, ’” Gray said. “ Also, they don’t have the services there that you and I have back home. Here, you have a (place ) where you can get toiletries and just about anything else you need. Over there, it’s difficult at times to maintain large stocks because of the fluidity of the troops. ”
While many organizations work to support the troops individually, several Corporations in Northwest Arkansas have started teaming up with other military support agencies to make an even bigger difference.
Last month, Soldiers’ Angels, Wal-Mart, Heroes at Home and Rebuilding Together combined forces to assist area families of deployed military and disabled veterans with large-scale housing repairs. Volunteers at one local residence used tractors and shovels to repair flood damage. In addition to installing a French drain, they removed and replaced old insulation under the house, leveled a berm and replaced exterior siding damaged by flooding.
“ It’s important for [deployed soldiers ] to know that, not only do we care about them, but that things are OK here so they can concentrate on their jobs, ” Gray said. “ The more we can confirm to them that we’re in good hands and seeking agencies to take care of things at home, the more likely it will be for them to come home safe. ”
Heroes at Home was launched by Rebuilding Together and Sears Holding in May 2007. The group aids lowincome U. S. service members, veterans and military families in need by making necessary repairs, improvements and modifications.
Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-led 501 (c )(3 ) nonprofit organization that provides aid and comfort to soldiers of the U. S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and their families. The group operates internationally to provide letters, care packages and comfort items to deployed soldiers as well as support for their families. Donations for Heroes at Home are collected by Sears and KMart through in-store fundraising campaigns. To date, the campaigns have generated nearly $ 4 million in donations.
To seek specialized support services, such as benefits and loans, families of deployed military can visit one of the many family support centers across the state. The facilities serve as contact points for families of deployed military.
In the event of an emergency, volunteers at the American Red Cross can also assist family members with overseas correspondence.
“ We’re the only agency trusted to do the emergency communications and verify things that go on at home, ” Carmen Newberry, emergency services coordinator for the local chapter of the American Red Cross, said.
Newberry said the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross is currently seeking additional volunteers to assist in military correspondence. The next training session is set for Aug. 5 from 5: 30 to 9: 30 p. m. at the agency’s Tontitown branch.