Dear Editor,
For many years now, I have been donating to several large fundraisers in support of our troops. Giving back to the military service men and women who keep us safe by working tirelessly, day and night, in foreign territories, as well as at home,putting their lives on hold, and at risk for their country, is extremely important to me. I am so very thankful for all they do!
Recently, my husband and I met a group named “Thanks to Yanks”, while attending one of their fundraisers. Once I saw the efforts of this small team of “not for profit” members, who live right here in Milford, I was taken aback by this excited, selfless, and professional small group of individuals! There are NO paid employees, and they work hard just to give back to our US military members, veterans,and their families! I am now retired,needing something I can do to fill in some open time, and I realized this was just what I needed to get involved in!
I have since joined this team and can see, with my own eyes, their enthusiasm while discussing new ways to help our Vets. I have already begun assisting the team and my first call was helping with the donation of coffee, from a well-known company, Dunkin Donuts, to be sent to our military members in Afghanistan, along with donations of “Girl Scout” cookies!! What better way than to help our Vets enjoy something right from home? Other ways they help our Vets are; “Hope for Heroes”, “Homes for our Troops”, and“Vittles for Vets” to name a few.
Unlike other organizations, “Thanks to Yanks” has only our military in mind and are always exploring new ways of giving back to them. I would like to end this letter by saying, “Please do not lump all charities together.” “Thanks to Yanks” is a “Volunteer 501(C) (3) organization” and they:
*Provide support and resources to our military members, veterans and their families;
*Promote civilian respect for our military members, veterans and their families;
*Always remember the heroes and victims of 9/11/01, their sacrifices and the sacrifices of our military and their families who responded to the call to ‘protect us and our freedom’.
Thank you for your time!
Christine Blethen, Hopedale, MA
UPTON DAILY 