Volunteers Working Hard for our Troops!
Move America Forward was lucky to have close to a dozen dedicated volunteers from local business Avison & Young who came to MAF Headquarters in Sacramento on October 13 to help pack over 250 care packages bound for the troops overseas.
We were able to pack all these care packages thanks to our generous donors that have supported our Operation Mail Call campaign. Because of an influx in donated care package products, we are able to offer care packages to our troops in need for just the price of the postage to mail them.
In addition to all the care packages assembled by our Avison & Young volunteers, we continued to work hard to fulfill orders as they came in throughout the remainder of Operation Mail Call.
We set a very ambitious goal for Operation Mail Call and pushed hard to make our goal. We even set up a live feed visible on YouTube and on the MAF homepage so any of our supporters could take a peek in on the process of what goes on during care package preparation and stuffing. In case you missed it, the recording is now available for your here!
As our friends at Avison & Young demonstrated, it can be darned exhausting but well worth it knowing that our troops will be opening these boxes of cheer in no time.
With the help of these dedicated troop-supporters we packed up over 250 care packages for the troops. We had a few more volunteers that pushed us to over 300 boxes that we are shipping to waiting troops!
Guideposts: Inspiration, Faith, Hope for our Troops
We would like to take a moment to better acquaint our readers with our partnership with Guideposts, a Move America sponsor who has come through for our Troops in a big way by providing MAF with Booklets such as Financial Readiness, Mission Ready, Strength for Relationships, as well as thank you and Christmas greeting cards offering support and encouragement to our troops throughout their long and often lonely deployments far from home.
Recently, we spoke with Guideposts spokesperson Caroline Harris about our partnership and what it means to Guideposts to have the opportunity to support our troops in such a significant and meaningful manner. We were very fortunate to have Guideposts support the 2016 MAF Troopathon as a Platinum Sponsor. According to Harris, “It was our honor to be part of such an amazing event.”
When asked how Guideposts came to be involved with MAF here’s what she had to say.
“We came across MAF as we were looking for outlets for our booklet Financial Readiness. Scott (Scott Raab, MAF’s Director of Outreach) quickly jumped on board and MAF began to receive the first shipment of our booklet.”
Soon after Caroline Harris reached out to Scott and shared all the resources that Guideposts has to offer free of charge. Scott was again quick to act. “Since then we have sent 12,000 booklets and 2,500 “thank you” cards for the troops. And as soon as more are needed, they will be on their way.” Assured Harris
MAF was a natural fit for Guideposts as they have supported our troops and veterans for over 64 years. Harris went on to add “Annually we distribute over 1 Million pieces of literature to our troops and veterans. We distribute them directly through chaplaincy and through amazing support organizations such as MAF. We could not have the impact that we do without the amazing work that you do. If we can encourage and uplift even a single soldier or veteran than all of our efforts are worth it.”
We couldn’t agree with Harris more, as MAF has made it our mission to support our troops and Guideposts has become an important part of that mission.
Like MAF, Guideposts works closely with chaplains to make sure the needs of our deployed are looked after. Harris went on to say “Often we are told by chaplains and chaplain’s assistance how important our publications are. These pocket sized booklets are a quick easy read and provide them the encouragement they need to get through tough situations. We were once told by a soldier that our booklets are the perfect size…as often time’s struggles with personal relationships, faith, money, or self-esteem are deemed by the military as a sign of weakness. Our booklets are something easily read in small quiet places without fear of any sort of criticism. Often times we are told that our messages arrive at just the right time. And are also passed from person to person.”
Although Guideposts has not yet had the opportunity to visit with us at our headquarters in Sacramento, there commitment is strong and we look forward to having them check out our operations first hand. Guideposts seeks the input of chaplains when writing their materials so it can better meet the needs of today’s deployed troops.
Partnering with MAF gave Guideposts a chance to put materials directly into the hands of eager troops. “It’s great to know that our material is getting into the hands of the men and women who are defending our country so bravely. Our material is not only targeted to the issues facing our military today, but much of the material is actually written by military chaplains. It is good to know that our booklets are being delivered directly into the hands of our soldiers.
Harris went on to add “Working with MAF (specifically with Scott Raab) has been an absolute pleasure. The message of how important it is to raise the spirits of our troops is clear. Having served himself he embraces the mission of MAF to a “T” and his excitement for doing so is infectious. You simply cannot say no! (But why would you want to? On behalf of Guideposts we would like to thank our service men and women for all that they do. Together with MAF it is our hope that we can make a difference to those who are making a difference for us. “
“We would highly recommend MAF to others for their integrity, heart, and dedication to those serving our country. They do amazing work, and their diligence in supporting the troops shows in all that they do.” Continued Harris.
‘We look forward to a long continued relationship with MAF. It is our hope that we can find a way to strengthen and deepen our relationship and continue to not only provide our resources to MAF for their care packages but to continue to support their efforts through Troop-a-Thon.”
We hope you have enjoyed learning more about our partnership with Guidepost in our continued effort to assure our troops are supported both spiritually and materially.
Maximize Your Support with AMAZON SMILES
Move America Forward is now partnering with Amazon.com and participating in their Amazon Smile Non-Profit Program, where Amazon donates a portion of whatever you order to MAF so we can send even more support packages to our troops!
How does Amazon Smile Work?
It’s simple: All you have to do is use the link below to select Move America Forward as the charity you would like to support and a small portion of what you buy on Amazon.com is donated. No extra cost to you, just extra support for our brave defenders for buying the things you normally would. It’s a WIN-WIN!
CLICK HERE TO SET UP AMAZON SMILE
Millions of Americans already use Amazon to purchase clothes, books and movies to tech gadgets, or almost anything you can think of. Chances are, if you’ve ever bought anything on-line, you have probably used Amazon.com at least once or twice.
Now with Amazon Smile, you can support Move America Forward at no cost to you, simply by buying the same things you would have bought anyway.
Prices are the same, shipping is the same, and nothing changes except Amazon donates .05% of your purchase to MAF on your behalf!
Click HERE to shop for great Gifts and be sure to set MAF as your Amazon Smiles Charity!
Thanking Those Who Serve!
November 11, 2016 is Veterans Day
Friday, November 11, was Veterans Day. Please take this opportunity to thank all of those who have served our great nation. To all of our Veterans, we at Move America Forward say “Thank You!” Your sacrifice and service has kept us safe at home. 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.
How is Veterans Day Different from Memorial Day?
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.
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.
Oorah! Semper Fi! –241 years of Faithful Service
November 10, 2016 marks the 241st Birthday of our United States Marines. The USMC has been part of every war the United States has been involved with since their founding in 1775. Today there are more than 200,000 active duty and reserve troops serving both state-side and abroad. Always ready, willing and able to defend and protect our shores.
Bow Our Heads in Thanks
As a nation we our blessed in many ways and we celebrate together on Thanksgiving 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.
HOLIDAY DUO is Back!
Turkey, pumpkin pie, football, family, parties, shopping, worship services, and decorating! Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner! This is such a busy and fun filled time for many Americans here at home, but it’s also a special time to remember our troops serving in harm’s way that won’t have a chance to celebrate these special days with their friends and loved ones. As part of your Holiday Traditions why not include remembering our service members with a special package from home.
Move America Forward is happy to offer a special Holiday Duo promotion that will automatically send a package from you next month in December along with your special note of thanks to celebrate these special holidays.
Our Thanksgiving packages will be packed with our regular treats but will also include special holiday treats like candy corn, special holiday edition coffee and hot cider. To add a touch from home and our Christmas package will have extra treats like soft peppermints, a fleecy red and white Christmas stocking and hot chocolate as well.
Or just contact Lisa Baron at LisaBaron@moveamericaforward.org and let her know you are interested in the Holiday Duo and she will get all the info from you she needs to make this happen.
We Make Holiday Giving Easy!
Before you know it you will be asking yourself where another year has gone. Let MAF make it easier to remember our troops. If your company, group, school, club or organization would like to send soldiers holiday packages, now’s the time to get in touch with our Group Gift Coordinator and get your program underway. There’s still time for us to put together a custom program for you that could include sponsoring a group or unit, sending packages to soldiers from your home state, or supporting members of a particular branch of the service. We want to be able to do everything possible to make your program special, so if you’re even thinking about “We should really do something to support the troops” this holiday season, send an email to LisaBaron@MoveAmericaForward.org
Signing Up a Soldier for a Support Package is easy!
If you are deployed or have the address of a deployed military member, you can click here for our Military Sign Up Center to sign them up to receive one of our great care packages loaded with plenty of the TLC our soldiers need to remind them that people back home support their mission.
If you prefer, just copy this link http://www.moveamericaforward.org/soldier-sign-up/ Once the soldier has registered they’ll be eligible to receive packages and messages of support from caring Americans like you.
TWEETS FOR THE TROOPS @M_A_F
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Monthly Smiles Club Needs You!!
Set up to schedule a monthly troop support package now and we will remember to send a package out through our Monthly Smiles Club for you each month. Our Monthly Smiles Club provides an easy way to keep those smiles coming all year long! We have made it even simpler to sign up. When you place your package order there is now a button you can click to make your Monthly Smiles Donation automatic. What could be simpler?
That’s all there is to it. Then you’ll know each month you’ve put a smile on a soldier’s face. Our Director of Troop Support, Lisa Baron personally oversees our Monthly Smiles program and she will make sure that your monthly package contains a personal message from you to the troops with every package we ship out on your behalf.
We can also set up programs that send packages out for all the different holidays through the year. We have members who send out packages for Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and others who send out packages every other month or even quarterly. We’re here to help with whatever you or your company, group or organization wants to do to support the troops. There’s no obligation, and you can stop sending packages at any time. Plus Monthly Smiles donations are always 100% tax deductible!
If you have a question or would like additional information, contact Lisa Baron, our Monthly Smiles Director at LisaBaron@MoveAmericaForward.org.
Do you have unused or unwanted gift cards?
Now, you can use them to sponsor care packages for one of our brave men or women of the military. Not only will you brighten the day of one of America’s finest, but your gift card donation to Move America Forward is also tax deductible, a win-win!
For every $25 dollars in gift cards we receive, we will send a care package in your name. Click here to get started!
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