“Summer time and the livin’ is easy.” Remember that classic song from Porgy & Bess? Well, it may be summer time at Robson Ranch, but the board and members of Support Our Troops-AZ club are busy planning this year’s annual golf tournament and auction.
Why, you may be asking? Glad you asked! Living is never easy for many of our area veterans, active military and their families. Support Our Troops-AZ works closely with the Eloy Veteran’s Center and the HOHP (Honoring/Hiring/Helping Our Heroes of Pinal County) Veteran’s Center in Casa Grande to address emergency needs that can’t be met in a timely manner by governmental agencies. We are a phone call away, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to these emergency services, we also provide assistance to those veterans who simply need a “hand up” on their way to financial security and independence.
Over the next few months, we’ll be highlighting the history of the Support Our Troops-AZ club and the founders who had a heart for and a desire to ensure our military men and women were not abandoned. We’ll also be sharing the personal stories of some of those we’ve been able to help because of your generosity.
It all began in 2008, with Navy veterans Mary Beth and George Fisher. They had servants’ hearts and were already involved in many charitable organizations when they decided they wanted to make sure our active military received Christmas gifts from Americans who cared. Contributions of small items were accepted in the beginning, but before long it became a major project. At the height of the project, eight to ten women were making as many as 250 oversized Christmas stockings to hold all the goodies! Residents would pay $20 to “adopt” a stocking, and the money collected would pay for the items that went in. Perhaps the most special gift were letters that were placed in each stocking, written to our service men and women by students in our local elementary schools. It’s also a well-known fact that George’s meatball dinner-for-eight was the star at the auctions!
I’m guessing that many of you reading this may be thinking that “I’d like to help but I’m too far away right now.” Not true! There are many things you can do to help us, and we sincerely need your help this year. It’s a one-time commitment that will leave you feeling great.
For more information, please contact Esther at [email protected] or 425-418-1788.
Until next month, enjoy your summer, wherever that may be, and God bless our troops.