Martin Bender, President
Support Our Troops-AZ (SOT-AZ) is more than flags on the main boulevards at Robson Ranch on military related holidays. SOT-AZ provides support to our active duty military, veterans, military families, veterans’ organizations, and military related community programs. As part of that mission, in July SOT-AZ sent a grant of $1,200 to the “Packages From Home” program in Glendale, Ariz.
There are 190,000 U.S. active-duty service members stationed or deployed globally. For many of those young Americans it is their first time beyond our shores. “Packages From Home” delivers supplies and essential personal support items to those many young men and women in uniform serving far and wide. The packages are a touch of home and community and an expression of camaraderie and appreciation for their service, sacrifices, and dedication to protecting our freedoms. Beyond sending care packages to those overseas, “Packages From Home” also participates in suicide prevention programs for our veterans here at home.
Three other examples of grants by SOT-AZ this year include $5,000 to the “American Service Animal Society” (Dogs4Vets) in Gilbert to help fund their canine training program for service/assist dogs for disabled veterans. A $2,000 grant was made to “Grounded No More.” Flying a WWII vintage trainer, the “Grounded No More” pilots take deserving veterans on an exciting aerial tour of the Mesa, Apache Junction, and Superstition Mountain area. SOT-AZ also made a $3,900 grant to “Honor Flight Arizona.” This organization pays homage to WWII, Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans by providing a fully paid three-day journey of honor and remembrance to their memorials in Washington D.C. At an average cost of $1,300 per participant, the SOT-AZ grant is covering the cost to “Honor Flight Arizona” for three Arizona veterans to be a part of their program.
Thank You, Robson Ranch—Join Us in November
Support Our Troops-AZ thanks the Robson Ranch community for its generous support enabling SOT-AZ to accomplish its mission. In early November, SOT-AZ will be holding its annual Veterans Week Fundraising Events including a Gift Basket Raffle on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Nov. 6, 7, and 8 in the Cheyanne/Laredo Room plus a Bake Goods Silent Auction, and a Corn Hole Tournament at the Ranch House on Friday, Nov. 8. The annual SOT-AZ Live Auction will take place on Friday evening, Nov. 8 in the Hermosa Room. The Annual SOT-AZ Veterans Day Golf Tournament at the Robson Ranch Golf Club is the feature event on Monday, Nov. 11. See the SOT-AZ ad in this issue of the Robson Ranch Views and visit SOT-AZ.org for event details and golf tournament registration.