Stockings Stuffed Full of Goodies for Our Troops
December is here! Oftentimes, Christmas season may mean some well earned extra days off work or school. Who doesn’t enjoy closing early or just indulging in extra special traditions with loved ones? Cocoa around the tree with extra marshmallows — yes please! In contrast, we are are kicking it into hyperdrive! December means gearing up for one of our busiest months of the year. Go Elves!
Of course, Santa’s helpers are real and they absolutely kick it into high gear knowing that we must do our best to fill all our care package requests. Troops continually reach out to us humbly seeking a little extra love and support from home during the holiday season. How can we possibly say no? Well, the answer is we simply cannot and thanks to our amazing supporters we don’t have to.
After all, our mission clearly states we are here to put care packages into the hands or our deployed troops. Especially during holiday deployment which can be extra lonely and difficult for our troops. Are we going to let our troops down and leave them empty-handed at Christmas? No way! Take a peek, our special Christmas care packages include all the regular troops goodies like coffee, cookies, jerky, personal care items, but through the end of the year, they include some thoughtful extras.
Doesn’t it bring a smile to your face just knowing our limited-time Christmas holiday care packages will include fun and festive red and white fleece stockings, candy canes, hot chocolate, and more!
“”These boxes and messages mean so much overseas. I still have both messages I received in a care packages at home in my sea bag right now. I must have read them a thousand times!”
— Scott Raab, OEF/OIF US NAVY – Move America Forward Outreach Director
Check out this segment that recently aired on Newsmax featuring our friend and collogue and overall incredible award winning journalist Rita Cosby as she speaks with MAF’s Outreach Director Scott Raab on the importance of receiving a care package.
WWP and MAF Team Up for Turkey Giveaway
Along with our friends from the Wounded Warrior Project, we distributed Thanksgiving Day turkeys for deserving military families and veterans. Not only did WWP pitch in to pass out the birds, but also joined us for an epic Thanksgiving packing party. With the help of our enthusiastic WWP volunteers hundreds of additional holiday care packages were stuffed, sealed and prepped for shipping. Undoubtedly, our Wounded Warrior brothers and sisters know first-hand what service and sacrifice mean. We are more than pleased and proud to be able to offer these warriors an avenue of meaningful volunteerism.
Studies show our veterans often face difficulty once returning from deployment. A multitude of our veterans face challenges we simply cannot understand. However, research shows providing volunteer opportunities to our veterans affords them an avenue of connecting and knowing they are valued. We are so blessed and thankful to our friends at WWP for pitching in to support our current generation of warriors.
Check out this
Special Veterans Day Coverage
Wow! What an amazing group of volunteers on hand for our special Veterans Day event. Surely youthful enthusiasm abounded between our Placer United soccer volunteers and the amazing Kiwanis Key Club members. No need to worry about these kids, they love volunteering and truly enjoyed making a positive difference.
We hope you enjoyed our young volunteers as much as we did. That’s some good parenting on display!
See’s for Soldiers is Back Just in Time for Christmas!
For the 8th year in a row, we’re bringing back a perennial favorite of MAF that has delighted our troops every year that we do it! Our exclusive See’s for Soldiers Program is just another of our many support efforts to bring the joy of See’s Candy to our troops on the front lines. Our See’s for Soldiers program allows See’s holiday pop up store locations throughout California collect candy donations for the troops. Every single piece goes overseas to where it is needed most!
Since 1921, See’s Candy has made the best chocolates and confectioneries for millions of loyal candy lovers. If you happen to be getting some candy this year make sure you donate a box to our troops! See’s makes over 26 million pounds of candy a year and now through January, while supplies last and weather permits, our Christmas and New Year’s packages will include this extra sweet surprise!
Sacramento Kings Hoops For Troops Chose MAF as a Charity Partner
Not only was MAF invited by the Sacramento Kings to attend their Salute to Service game but they went above and beyond. One of our volunteers from INALLIANCE , a company that helps adults with developmental disabilities, let us know that Michael who has packed up thousand of boxes and volunteered countless hours in our Operation Center was a HUGE Sacramento Kings Fan. Well it didn’t take long for the King to help arrange special seats for him and his guardian to attend the game on this very important night!
He was able to meet and speak with many veterans, fans and even some players including former Kings player and now current Kings broadcaster Matt Barnes. What a thrill for Michael and a memory he will never forget. In fact, he is still grinning ear to ear and wants to let everyone know how much he was humbled by the honor. Even better the Kings won! Thanks to the Sacramento Kings for supporting our troops and our special volunteers, like Michael!