mother of fallen soldier sends care packages in sons memory

Website

www.jacobsprogram.org

What is your idea to address an unmet need of service members, veterans and their families?

Jacobs Light sends packages to troops serving in Afghanistan in memory of Jacob Fletcher, a paratrooper killed in ‘03 while serving in Iraq. Each package is filled with necessities and comforts to those who receive no support and those on bases with no amenities. To be far away, and to serve our country without love and support of family, is difficult. A goal of Jacob’s Light Fdn is to ease that discomfort with ongoing supplies and needs in the form of a monthly care package. Each of the 275 packages sent by JLF benefits approximately 10 troops. Packages are sent 11 times per year reaching 3,025 troops.

What specific population do you plan to work with? What is their unmet need?

Jacob’s Light Foundation sends care packages to our overseas troops. Our current effort is on troops serving in Afghanistan

What is your implementation plan, and how would the $1,000 be used?

All funds from this opportunity will go to supplies for troops and shipping of the boxes.

How are volunteers the key ingredient to your solution?

Volunteers are a necessary ingredient to being able to pack and ship 275 packages eleven months of the year. Jacob’s Light Foundation has a volunteer corps of over 300 individuals in the community. Each comes to as many monthly “packings” as they can to help the process go smoothly. We are fortunate to have a minimum of 150 volunteers at every packing. An important note about our volunteers is that many are Blue Star families and veterans. These volunteers come out to help each month. In doing so, they keep busy, glean support from the many other volunteers present and provide support for those receiving the packages. This is a cycle of community that provides strength and support.

Discussion

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