Writers Note;
This was originally posted last night by Meteor Blades. In an attempt to maximize this challenge we may post it a few more times for maximum exposure.
Thank you for your patience and participation.
TexDem and the NFTT Board
Each year for the past three years, we at Netroots for the Troops™ have raised money to send hundreds of specially designed Care Packages to U.S. combat troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. These packages have included the practical, such as gloves, gel shoe insoles, socks, sand scarves, powdered energy drinks and LED flashlights, as well as the recreational, such as DVDs, CDs and comic books.
All told, in those three years, we have shipped 800 Care Packages to military personnel in two different Brigades of the 3rd Marine Division in cooperation with their Family Readiness Office, and to elements of the 101st Airborne in cooperation with Operation Rakkasans.
We couldn't have done it without the strong support of generous Kossacks who contributed the time and money to make Netroots for the Troops™ a reality. Many of these donors were and remain avid opponents of U.S. policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, but are committed to assisting the Americans in uniform who have been sent into harm's way by our government. Our newest board member, for example, is Rep. Raul Grijalva, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
This year we've upped our goal to 600 Care Packages, which will be sent out in mid-June. That's no small matter. Acquiring the products that go into the packages and shipping them overseas will cost $100,000.
To help us meet our goal, we've designed a fund-raising challenge that takes full advantage of the multitude of groupson Daily Kos. Is your group up for the challenge? There is no monetary reward or trophy, just bragging rights, prestige and the good feeling you get from contributing. We recognize that all groups are not created equally, so below you’ll find suggested group sizes and goals per group.
Group I: 15 members, $500
Group II: 16-30 members, $750
Group II: 31-50 members, $1200
Group IV: 51-75 members, $2000
Group V: 75-100 members, $3000
Tracking will be done on the donation site based upon your group’s goal. Pop in there, join a group team (or if you're like me, set up your own group). Please choose your goal based on your group’s actual size. After all, we aren't Tea Party cheaters. The challenge runs from today, April 5 until May 10, 2011.
Around May 15,, we'll announce the group winners, showing what percentage of their goals they achieved. We hope everyone hits the 110 percent mark. Overall group winner will be determined by the highest percentage of goal reached. For example, if a Group I-size group raises $1000, that’s 200 percent of their goal.
Are you up to the challenge? Then sign up now!
Check out recent NFTT diaries here, here and here.
Netroots For The Troops™ is a project of Netroots for the Troops, Inc., a Virginia non-profit corporation. Netroots For The Troops™ raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of care packages to American military in war zones, and to provide assistance to military families in the United States. Netroots For The Troops, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
Please republish to your Group's Queue