Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers'
Angels was started by a self-described
ordinary mother
of two American soldiers, Patti Patton-Bader. Her eldest son, Staff
Sergeant Brandon, deployed to Iraq from 2003-2004, and her youngest was
deployed in 2008. In the summer of his 2003 deployment, Brandon expressed
concern that some soldiers in his unit did not receive any mail or support
from home. Being a loving and caring mother, Patti decided not to allow a
situation like that to continue. She quickly contacted a handful of friends
and extended family and asked if they would support a soldier or two. Within
just a few months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother sending a few extra
care packages and letters, to an Internet community with thousands of Angels
worldwide.
Soldiers'
Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American military personnel
stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag. In December 2004, an
online forum
was created to provide coordination for the thousands of Angels helping to
meet the needs of our heroes. As of April 2008, our membership numbers over
200,000 volunteers led by an all-volunteer
Board of Trustees and
officers. Today, Soldiers' Angels works around the world to
address military-related needs ranging from deployed support to wounded
care, to remembrance of the fallen and a wide variety assistance for
military families. As a volunteer-based nonprofit, Soldiers’ Angels have
over 30 different teams supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces,
making a visible difference in the lives of our service members and their
families. The volunteers of Soldiers' Angels work tirelessly to demonstrate
active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members
and their families. CWONC currently helps with two Soldiers’ Angels
projects, Operation Top Knot and Adopt a Soldier, and are considering other
support projects.
Volunteer
Opportunities...
Write
letters or cards to our adopted soldiers; donate items for care packages.
Operation Top Knot
www.operationtopknot.4t.com,
From Good Housekeeping, July 2005 - Fighting baby blues
Audri Cid (Westfield Massachusetts) “Our troops make so many sacrifices for our
freedom—but the women behind the soldiers sacrifice a lot too,” says Cid.
“It’s especially tough on those who spend their pregnancies—the biggest
event in their lives—without the everyday support of their partners.” The
plight of these military wives aroused sympathy in Cid, 27, a student who
works full-time as a medical biller. Looking for a way to let the women
know they weren’t alone, Cid worked with Soldier’s Angels, a Nevada-based
nonprofit organization, to launch Operation Top Knot in June 2004. The
group makes baby clothes and blankets imprinted with patriotic sayings such
as “My daddy defends our freedom.” Cid and her army of volunteers have sent
packages to more than 100 women, including one who gave birth to quintuplets
only days after her husband was injured in Iraq.
Volunteer Opportunities...
Club members purchase, make and collect
blankets, bibs, diaper bags, onesies, hats, booties, clothing, diapers, baby
shampoo/wash, teddy bears, baby photo albums, rattles, teethers, bottles and
pacifiers. Members may clip coupons for diapers, formula, juice and baby
products. Members may also contribute material, batting, thread or yarn.
Club will send these items (baby shower in a box) to expectant mothers
anywhere in the country.
Adopt a Soldier
"May No
Soldier Go Unloved," encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels,
and the Adopt a Soldier program. CWONC adopted a soldier and will send
cards, letters and packages every month to our deployed soldier. At events
such as the Carnival of Cultures, CWONC members have participants write notes
to our soldier thanking them for their service and sending good wishes.
Volunteer
Opportunities...
Club members
collect and purchase items to be sent to our soldier and then mail them off
monthly. Items such as: nonperishable food, gum, cards, Visine, lip balm,
shampoo, books etc. Members will also take pictures
with a poster saying hello to our soldier at various events, and forward
that to our soldier.
Domestic Violence Prevention
Awareness
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs has made Domestic
Violence Prevention Awareness a top priority. October is Domestic Violence
Prevention Awareness Month. In October, GFWC-CWONC hosts an awareness
program for the community.
Volunteer Opportunities...
Members will help set up any events which may include guest
speakers, educational information and members participating in the dramatic
reading of “The Blanket Exercise”.
AniMeals
In conjunction
with programs such as Meals on Wheels, boxes are prepared with food for the
pets of these seniors. Many times seniors’ funds are limited, living on a
fixed income. This program works to ensure that these seniors have food for
their loving pets and don’t go without food for themselves.
Volunteer
Opportunities...
Members collect pet food
through donations or any other means available and then package for the
program.
Member of
General Federation of Women's Clubs