How and when did supporting the troops begin?
October 2004 I was ask to donate items for care packages to be sent for Christmas 2004.
Many boxes were filled and a retired marine paid the postage.
What is the system in place to support the troops now?
Donations are collected and boxed at Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors.
Postage
Many believe that postage is free because it is going to our troops but it is not. Postage is
about
$1.00 per pound thru the post office. They have the only contract to deliver to Iraq and Afghanistan.
When postage goes up for a letter so does the cost to mail items to our troops.
Who do we support and how often?
We send to troops without family through the Chaplin.
We mail to several platoons and 1 battalion. We send SOCKS, snacks, hygiene and
other items as needed each month. At Christmas we add small gifts. DVD's, music CD's, hand held games, books and magazines.
How many do we help?
2004 21 marines
2005 200+ marines
2006 410 marines
2007 630 marines
2008 2,000 marines
2009 currently we are serving 2 small
platoons, about 40
and the chaplin, about 1200 total
With all the changes in Iraq, we will probably be
supporting troops in Afghanistan this year as well
What can we send?
During the hot months we cannot send chocolate. We send Tootsie Pops,
fig bars and "Otter Pops".
During the cooler months, especially for Christmas fresh baked Chocolate Chip Cookies and chocolate
candy bars.
Who are the supporters?
Realtors, title companies, escrow companies, lenders, Rotary, women's organizations, grocery
stores, and retired military. Many individuals through out Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Hemet,
Aguanga and Fallbrook.
Printer Cartridges?
We are able to recycle printer cartridges of all sizes for POSTAGE MONEY. Just drop off at
Southwest Riverside Country Association of Realtors. 951 894-2571
41831 McAlby Court #C Murrieta, Ca. 92562
