Hearts were united as Mission Soldier Adoption had its Second Annual Brat Fry and Live Auction fundraiser on Saturday August 1st at the Sentry in Hartford.
Though the day began with battling Mother Nature’s pouring rain, our volunteers showed up and were soaked getting the stage set for our fundraiser. The wind was so strong it picked up two of our assembled carports and launched them into the flagpole. After our volunteers secured the carports with buckets of concrete and rope, we were ready!
The harsh weather stopped all but one rider from registering for our Poker Run-an Air Force Reserves gentleman who spent time overseas and commented on how special it was to receive a care package from a stranger when away from home. Instead of riding the route solo, he came to our Brat Fry and helped out all day.
The winds stayed quite strong and after the rain stopped, the gushes of wind dried out our tables and chairs nicely. The grills were hot and pumping out the brats and burgers by 10am. The sun came out just in time for our live auction where Ken Roskopf auctioned our 134 items donated by 79 companies! Listening to the live auction was truly entertaining! And during our live auction the wind carried our carport along the ground 5 feet so the men hung onto the tent until the auction was over…anything for the Troops!
A huge Thank You for the tremendous outpouring of support for the Troops from the surrounding communities-from the Military Guys and Gals, to the Hartford Fire & Rescue Department, the Hartford Police Department, the Harley crowd, those who participated in our live auction, the kids and adults who wrote a card for a Soldier, the individuals and families that dropped bags of items for care packages into our donation bins, the people who donated financially to help send care packages, those who came and had a brat, and those who shared personal stories about their family members in the military!!
We also want to thank the radio stations, television networks, online community websites, and newspapers for broadcasting our event—with your help we were able to reach many people! A thank you to Sentry in Hartford for their support during our event.
There was an 80 year old lady in the grocery store hunched over her cart as she was looking at the Wish List for the Troops deciding what she would like to contribute to the care packages-it was an adorable sight! No matter how old someone is, we all are affected by our service men and women; and that feeling of gratitude was displayed on Saturday.
Our volunteers were amazing-thank you to: Lynn Simmers, Lynn Sirna, Richard Gosetti, Josh Voigt, Ken Voigt, Vickie Voigt, Mollie Manhattan, Mike Lippert, Mitch Maloney, John Kapal, Susie Kapal, Kasha Kapal, Jared Kapal, Kortni, Zac Utz, Jeff Wheeler, Hartford Police Department, Hartford Fire and Rescue Department, Scott Galaska, Jim Redig, Maggie Redig, RJ Tackman, Tanya Tackman, Jackie Dethloff, Mike Mosleth, Sarah Moder, Barb Olivas, Ken Roskopf, Pablo Badillo, and Ali Marie Shafovaloff.
Mission Soldier Adoption also wishes to thank the companies and individuals that have shown us support this year-from local restaurants to Celebrities! Their names can be found on our website: www.MissionSoldierAdoption.com
We received enough items in our donation bins for one month of care packages for our Troops!
As we continue to send care packages over to the Troops each month, we need your help! Whether it is donating items, letters, or financially (for shipping the care packages) we would love for you to continue to be a part of our Mission Soldier Adoption team.
Two additional ways we raise funds for Mission Soldier Adoption is by selling Seroogy Candy Bars, Fudge, and Coffee; and through Mary Kay where my profits are used for Mission Soldier Adoption.
Mission: Soldier Adoption sends about 24 packages per month. The average cost to send packages per month is $287. Every month we seek companies and individuals donations to send our packages. We like to send 36 packages around the Holiday season, which results in the need for additional postage funds. Our focus is now shifting to collecting items and financially for our Thanksgiving & Christmas care packages for our Troops overseas; this is often the toughest time to be away from family. They may not be here to celebrate with us, but they are not forgotten.
Our Troops greatly appreciate hearing from you. The knowledge of support from someone builds morale; with the thought, compassion, and love being the largest part of the care package. The costs to fill a care package is about $60; to open a care package from home and read the letters filled with support and prayers…well, THIS is priceless!
$2200 was raised for Mission Soldier Adoption! These funds will be used to ship care packages overseas to beautiful and deserving hearts desiring to hear from home.
Our Mission Soldier Adoption event was a success with the winning combination of teamwork, community support, and hearts united in supporting the men and women that serve to protect our country and our freedom. We Thank You!
We plan to have our Third Annual Brat Fry and Live Auction next year either in May or August 2010.
With Gratitude,
~Mollie & Vickie, Mission Soldier Adoption