How we got our start

I thought there might be some who would like to know how our group came about. We got our start in September of 2004. Two moms, one whose son had recently been injured in Iraq, and one whose son had recently left for bootcamp, started desperately searching the internet hoping to find another local mom to talk to. They were thrilled to find each other on a Marine Parents message board and made plans to meet for lunch. After a long lunch with plenty of laughter and tears they knew they needed to reach out to other parents who must surely be feeling the same way. They were soon joined by a third mom (also found on the message board) and then another and on it went.

Soon we decided to send some care packages to Iraq so that not only our own children, but others who were serving our country would know that they are loved and appreciated. The first mail out (with only 3 members at the time) was completely out of our own pockets. We sent 10 packages. Every few months we had more members and more friends to help and we sent out a little larger mail out. Soon we realized that we needed to become a formal support group, so we organized, elected officers, adopted bylaws and became a non-profit organization so that we could begin fundraising. This past Christmas (2005) we sent over 65 packages. We also sent a Valentine mail out and an Easter mail out. The Valentine mail out was sent to an Army chaplain so that he could distribute the packages to those who needed them most. Much of our shipping costs are paid for by the bracelets we sold at the 4th on Broadway Street Fair and the Wolfforth Harvest Festival, but money for shipping continues to be our biggest need. We feel that sending these care packages is just a small way to honor the men and women who sacrifice and endure so much so that our freedom is preserved. We are so very proud of each and every one of them!

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan, 1985