Move America Forward, the Sacramento based pro-troop organization, has reaped more success than they bargained for. Americans responded to their call to send goody boxes to the troops in record numbers, overwhelming their small staff and volunteers.
The organization sponsored a pro-troop telethon on the internet with luminaries such as radio talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin. The goal was to raise $500,000 for goodies for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the 6-hour telethon was over, more than $1.5 million was raised.
The packages for the troops include a variety of cookies, coffee, beef jerky, Gatorade drink mix, sun block, lip balm, moisture wipes, bug repellant and more. Most of the coffee is coming from local roaster, Cornerstone Coffee Company.
Also included are custom manufactured bags of Jelly Belly brand jelly beans that are specially marked with Arabic messages of goodwill from the American people. The bags were donated by Vacaville based Jelly Belly Candy Company. Nancy Reagan, wife of former President Ronald Reagan, endorsed the program to send her husband’s favorite candy to the troops so they can make friends with the local Iraqis.
Because of the unexpected volume, Move America Forward is falling behind in getting the boxes packed and shipped. They are hoping more Sacramento residents will sign up to volunteer.
Volunteers are needed to help label and pack all the products so they can be shipped by the US Postal Service. Donald LaCombe, Production Manager for Move America Forward, is coordinating the volunteer effort. He said, “We have had so many wonderful volunteers helping, but we need a lot more.”
“We have been working hard on this effort we have already sent several thousand packages out. But we want to ship more as quickly as possible, and for that we need more volunteers to come down,” LaCombe added.
The packing and shipping is going on seven days a week at the newly renovated RetroLodge at the corner of 11th and H streets. LaCombe said the hours are 10:00 am to 8:00pm on weekdays and 12:00 noon to 6:00pm on weekends.
Barbara Florian and her husband Vincent have been volunteering since the facility first opened. She said, “My husband served in the Air Force for many years and I can think of nothing we would rather do than this small bit of comfort we can bring to the troops serving today.”
Barbara and her husband arrive at 10 am and often stay until the sun goes down. “This is the least we can do to show them a little support and make their day to day lives a little easier”
Volunteers are invited to come to the packing and shipping office at 1029 H Street any day and help. Or, call Move America Forward at (916) 441-6197 for more information.
