Milestone 200,000th “We Care” Package sent to our Troops

Supporting our military troops abroad with personal care packages of love, care, hope and appreciation has been the 13 year mission of *FOR THE TROOPS (FTT), an all-volunteer nonprofit organization.  Through fundraising efforts, FTT will reach a milestone on August 1, 2018 with the shipment of the 200,000th “We Care” package at 11:30 a.m. at their headquarters located in Simi Valley.

The box will be packed by Rosemary Allison, who purchased the opportunity at the last Military Tribute Gala, which she also chaired.The first recipient of a FTT “We Care” package, retired Staff Sgt. Phillip Schmidt, will be on hand to join the celebration.The public is invited to attend and asked to sign a card of support to our deployed troops.Refreshments will be served.*FOR THE TROOPS* is**located at 2960 Cochran Street, Simi Valley (in the Sycamore Village Shopping Center).

Nearly 13 years ago, Paula Cornell, along with many volunteers, began coordinating collection drives and funds from local businesses, schools, churches, service organizations and scouting programs. Special fundraising events, such as the annual Military Tribute Gala held at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and an annual golf tournament provide revenue for postage, which averages over $25,000 per month.

Other projects that go on daily at the headquarters include assembling and sewing head and neck warmers for winter and neck cooler ties for summer.Donated items are separated and set up five days a week for assembly line packing by volunteers from local service clubs, schools, churches and youth organizations.

A “Troops Wish List” is found on the website, which includes necessities such as cotton socks, baby wipes, nonperishable foodstuffs, and personal care items.The “We Care” packages also include letters of appreciation and encouragement from children and adults. “The troops number one request is for children’s letters, so we are always hoping for schools and youth organizations to help us,” stated Cornell.In turn, letters and emails of thanks from the troops are regularly received, sharing personal stories of deployments and gratitude for being remembered.

Ongoing fundraisers are planned with restaurants which donate a percentage to help fund the nearly 1,800 packages shipped monthly. “This is a ‘win-win’ situation for our local restaurants and For The Troops” said Cornell.The next scheduled fundraiser event is at Toppers Pizza Place, 2804 Erringer Road, Simi Valley, on August 21, 2018 from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.A flyer for this fundraiser can be found on the FTT Facebook Page or website www.ForTheTroops.org.Toppers will donate 20% of the proceeds.

For more information go online at http://www.ForTheTroops.org or mail donations to For The Troops, P.O. Box 12, Simi Valley, CA 93062.For The Troops is an all volunteer California Nonprofit corporation headquartered at 2960 Cochran Street in the Sycamore Village Shopping Center.Federal Tax ID No. 20-8099782.To donate items or provide names of deployed soldiers, email [email protected] or (805) 306-0830.

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