November 2020 Newsletter

Don\’t be a turkey, send out some jerky and more for Thanksgiving!

Well this year you might be having a little pity party as we can\’t do our usual Thanksgiving extravaganza because 2020, you know what I am saying. \”Hey everything was great and then it just went all 2020 on me!\” Read more…

As a nation this year has been challenging, but through it all we our blessed in many ways so let\’s not forget that. As we gather in smaller groups or on video conference this Thanksgiving we still can celebrate together. Thanksgiving  is a holiday rooted in the tradition of gathering around the table with loved-ones to share a feast and quite literally offer Thanksgiving for the gifts in our lives and the prosperity we share. We take the time to count our blessings, bow our heads in praise and remember family and friends who can\’t be with us to share the day.  At Move America Forward we\’re thankful to each and every one of you who send packages and messages of support to our deployed to let them know they\’re not forgotten.

We\’d like to make sure as many soldiers as possible get a taste of the holidays, so we\’ve put together some special Thanksgiving treats in our packages that range from special holiday coffee, to festive candy that\’s sure to bring a real taste of home.  Of course our packages are packed with plenty of our regular treats like beef jerky, nutritious trail mix, candies, cookies, field wipes and lots more.  And every Thanksgiving package includes a special personalized message of support to our troops from the sponsor at no additional cost.

Reminding you to say \”Thank You for your service!\” on Veterans Day

November 11, is Veterans Day.  Use this opportunity to thank all of those who have served the greatest nation on earth. To all of our Veterans, we at Move America Forward say “Thank You!” Your sacrifice and service has kept us safe at home. Read more…

Right now most Americans are feeling stressed and anxious with so much uncertainty caused by living under the cloud of a pandemic. Many events like weddings, funerals, birthdays and family vacations have been cancelled, scaled back or postponed indefinitely. Sometimes it can be hard to feel grateful for the good things in our world with so much negative focus and doom and gloom in a constant news cycle. But take a moment to reflect on the fact that in 2020 there are approximately 17.4 million veterans in the United States according to the U.S. census bureau, That may seem like a lot of people but in reality it reflects only 7 percent of our population. These veterans have sacrificed gladly to ensure the United States remains free and the greatest nation.

Please take the time to thank your friends, co-workers or loved ones this year who have served our country.  In honor of America’s brave veterans, please take the time to fly your flag with pride and gratitude. 

Veterans Day is sometimes confused with Memorial Day, however, Veterans Day honors the service of all U.S. military veterans, whereas Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for the the men and women who gave their lives in service.

So today\’s service members will be veterans when they leave the service and transition to civilian life. But you don\’t have to wait for them to retire to thank our troops!

We’d like to offer you the opportunity to send out a special troop support package in honor of your loved one who has served. Simply enter your order and in the message area please enter your message to our troops and let them know in whose honor you are sending your package.

MAF Continues Track Record of Responsibility & Transparency

For the third consecutive year, MAF has commissioned an independent auditor to conduct a thorough and unbiased assessment of our expenses in an effort to be transparent and responsible.

The independent audit conducted by financial firm Quigley & Miron found that 89% of expenses went to program costs with 11% spent on administrative costs, salaries, rents, and fundraising for 2019. A general rule of thumb deems charities with over 80% program costs to be responsible, healthy, and using donor funds in good faith.

This report is made public to view or download from our website as part of a long term effort to focus on transparency and good financial citizenship, especially since Move America Forward is overwhelmingly funded by everyday men and women who want to make sure their personal sacrifice is put to good use.

We thank you for your trust in us, and we work very hard to make sure we can get as many care packages as possible into the hands of our troops. We love our troops and we are honored to work with you, our donors to keep the smiles coming!

Put down the Halloween candy and donate it to the troops instead

Halloween is over, time to move on and put down that chocolate bar! We know your kids aren\’t the only ones gobbling down those sugary treats. It was fun, but time to move on. We\’re going to make big smiles with that extra candy! Read more…

Take some of that leftover candy and drop it off at a participating dentist in your area so our troops can enjoy some sweet treats too! Despite the litany of calls by politicians, media personalities, and other public figures encouraging everyone to stay home and cancel Halloween there were still plenty. of kids hauling in the sugar bounty. We hope they had a great time, but think about sharing just a little of your candy or even a lot!

The Halloween Candy Buyback is an annual nationwide drive to collect extra leftover Halloween candy and put it to good use, like sending it to the troops. Dentists, Orthodontists, Schools and other participants across the country will be opening their doors to accept bags of extra candy that you might have. If your kids already have more candy than they need (or more candy than you want them to have!) you can bring whatever extra you have to a participating Dentist\’s office and drop it off. Those Dentists forward the candy on and eventually we get it here at MAF where it then will go into care packages for the troops. Last year we received TONS of candy so the troops will be enjoying these treats until Thanksgiving and beyond!

Click here for MAF\’s Halloween Candy Buyback information

Click here to search for a Candy Drop-Off Location on the Buyback Homepage

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH