Friday, September 28, 2018

A downrange Christmas

Downrange in the military refers to personnel who are deployed, usually in a war zone. 

Boots on the ground.  American military personnel on the front lines protecting the United States on the ground, underground, in the air, on the water, under water. 

This Christmas, there will be Americans downrange and away from their families, their friends, their traditions, their favorite foods, their safe and warm places. 

Most of these Americans will be young men and women between 18 and 25 years old.  Many away from home for the first time.  All in a strange and dangerous place, or they wouldn't be there. 

They've all volunteered for this job.  They do our country's dangerous work so that 99% of us don't have to worry about it. 

The Peter Burks Unsung Hero Fund has one mission:  send care packages to deployed American military.

https://unsungherofund.org

We're working on a shipment to arrive in time for Christmas.  We will need to ship everything by November 15 to arrive by Christmas.  Donations are needed by November 2 to make the shipment cutoff.  If you'd like to take part, here's how.


Donate Goods to Ship

Use your imagination and use common sense.  What would young people like if there's not a store nearby?  What will ship over thousands of miles and not spoil, spill or break?

Here are the kinds of things most requested:

-A handwritten note, letter or card
-Salty and spicy snacks
               Beef jerky, Slim Jim's
               Doritos, Cheetos, chips, crackers
-Healthy snacks
               CLIF Bars
               Trail Mix
-Candy that won't melt
-Gatorade powder packets
-New white socks
-Moist wipes
-Baselayer (it’s winter where they are)
-Knit caps
-Warm gloves/mittens
-Oakley or Gatorz Tactical sunglasses
-PlayStation or XBOX consoles and games
-Redvines, Gummi Bears
-Hand sanitizer
-Toothbrushes and toothpaste

-Apple iTunes gift cards

Here's where you can drop off your donations:

Texas Star Bank
320 Preston Road
Celina, TX 75009

Heart's Desire
4760 Preston Road, #200
Frisco, TX 75034
(Next door to Tom Thumb)

Support Your Troops Resale
223 W. Parker Road
Plano, TX 75023

If you're not in the DFW area and want to ship donations, here's the address:

Unsung Hero Fund
1920 Coit Road
Suite 200, #156
Richardson, TX 75080

Donate Money

We always appreciate cash donations.  But, don't cheat yourself from making a personal connection.  Sit down and write a note and send it as well.

To donate money, the information is on the website:

https://unsungherofund.org/contribute-2/


Help us Pack and Ship

The only way care packages get downrange is they have to be packed, a customs form filled out for each box, postage applied and then delivered to the post office. 

We'll be having packing parties in early November.  If you want to help, watch your social media and/or email us at info@unsungherofund.org

Thanks in advance.  Let's make this a special Christmas for folks that wear the Cloth of The Nation.