At this moment at Net Roots Nation, the magic begins. Caring people are showing up to pack Care Packages. The magic? Each US Postal regulation box contains 1 part product to 4 parts love - your love. The troops, who probably scratch their heads when they read NetRoots for the Troops on the return label, feel that love when they open the box - and read a little scrap of paper with a few kind words. With any luck at all plus the President's promise to exit Afghanistan, these are the last boxes we will send. But, to just walk away from these soldiers and their families - well, do you have any left over yellow ribbons? Didn't think so.
But what if you - sitting right there - could help not just a veteran, but a bunch of veterans? What if you could help the family of a 100% disabled Veteran, and at the same time, bring back a voice to this site that needs to be heard? You can. Here's how:
Many of you here on Daily Kos have participated in helping Veterans in trouble. Your willingness to do that has been amazing. Every time I've asked for your help, that request has been for assistance to solve a limited problem that is non-recurring. Angelajean, on behalf of VetWife produced the latest success story. But we need to move the goal posts.
In order to deal with large pdf files and large data bases, Vetwife needs a laptop with a lot of memory, great speed, and a lot of software. Those machines run around $900 to $1300. In addition Vetwife has been digging far too deep into her own pocket to cover gas, bring a bag of groceries, or buy a transit pass for a Vet.
Here's why VetWife is a perfect candidate to help:
1. She is known on Daily Kos and contributes to this site.
2. She volunteers to help veterans.
3. She knows her stuff about VA, VBA, and pending legislation.
4. This is a one-time, non-recurring need. Meeting that need is simple and direct.
Excerpt from the Gainsville Time Union, written by A Kramer:
She has worked with veterans issues and carried her plight for
veterans to Washington D.C. more than once. Her husband supports her efforts and is 100% disabled after serving with the 101St Airborne /attached to 75th Rangers from 70-71 in in Vietnam.
Amanda worked for Corporate America for over twenty years, has studied at two Florida colleges, worked as a 911 operator in crisis situations, while she obtained certifications in Criminology from the Flordia Dept of Law Enforcement.
[snip]
Her outspoken tenacacious passion for veterans has made quite a difference in all walks of life. She spends hours on the phone with legislators, other veterans organizations, bureaucrats from the Veterans Administration at 810 Vermont to high officials in Washington from the Access Board to the halls of congress.
She never misses an opportunity to reach out or speak out for veterans. Amanda has children at home and cares for her blind Father as well
.
Any donations made to United Veterans of America [ a tax exempt 501c3 organization] will be used to buy a new computer. If there is any additional money, that money must be used to further the activities of the organization.
However, Vetwife and her family recently lost their home and have had to move. That move left them in the hole to the tune of another $3,000 [roughly]. That's where NetRoots for the Troops can be helpful. Money raised through your donation to NetRoots for the Troops can be given directly to Vetwife to offset those moving bills.
So, here are the ways you can help Vetwife right now:
Click here to help her buy the new computer
or Click here to help VetWife pay for some moving bills.
Thank you very, very much.
UPDATE:
This diary made the Recommended List and I'd like to thank everyone who participated. While we are close to purchasing a top of the line computer for Vetwife, more donations to help her with those moving expenses would be greatly appreciated.
I'll be back following lunch with a re-cap. Any pictures - or links to pictures - of the packing operation will be treasured. Thanks again.