Soldiers' Angels
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October 28, 2011
My name is Karen Twombly. I recently stopped smoking after 23 years. So, I had a little extra money that I could do whatever with. I just didn't find anything that made me happy and feel really good about giving up smoking. But then I stumbled across Soldiers' Angels. I was so excited. I am very much in support of our troops. My husband is a Vet of Desert Strom. I absolutly love our soldiers. And like it was sent from heaven here was my thing I could feel good about. Be excitied about. I am new. I have only written a letter. But I am gathering things up for the first care package. I always wanted to be a part of the military but physically couldn't. Now I feel like I am doing a little something.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My results so far are feeling proud. And feeling a part of something big with something that seems small.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would streamline their website. Trying to find things inside the Angel's Bootcamp was sometimes almost impossible. It was like a maze. Many times I couldn't get back to where I was the same way twice. Frusterating.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A little
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Okay
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
streamlining website
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
excited, proud
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
I followed Soldiers for Angels on Facebook for about a year before I joined. I was already sending boxes to several different Marines and Soldiers that were family or their friends. It breaks my heart to think that even one of our heros goes without any mail at all. One particular story tugged at my heart. A Marine Sniper on a joint billet with Soldiers in Iraq needed some TLC. 3 deployments and no mail. I thought long and hard about the commitment it would take. 1 letter per week and a box per month. Usually not a big deal, but I was already sending my Marine son in-law and his best friend boxes every couple of weeks as they are in a remote area with no access to purchase anything. So, after about 15 minutes, I accepted the offer of adopting this soul I will probably never meet. I sent him and email and had a reply the next morning. The joy he expressed when he received his first box was beyond what my heart could take. We email back and forth regularly. Within a few weeks, he told me that he had put my name and contact information on a piece of paper he keeps on him and on his computer. That document had the names and contact information of the people he wanted to be notified if anything happened to him. In his email after his first box, he told me that he didn't know how, but someday he would figure out a way to thank me. As a Mom, that was the way. Now instead of two daughters with Marine son in-laws, I have two daughters with Marine son in-laws and a Marine son.
Thank you Soldiers Angels. They have me for life.
Joan Slawson
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Linking me with a young Marine Sniper who had separated himself from the unit of Soldiers he was assigned to because of Philosophical differences between the Army and the Marines. The situation of one person from a branch with an entire unit from another is a recipe for tension.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not change anything except to have a chapter in my area.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
My heart went out to the young man's situation.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
My heart went out to this young man's situation.
What would you tell others about this organization?
It is a worthwhile cause that impacts our military heros and there families in so many ways. They are impacts that last a lifetime.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
I have been with Soldiers' Angels for 3 yrs. I have had the honor of helping our service men and women by writing them and sending them packages. Being able to help them have a bit of home, is a small part of the joy I get when sending a package. To pack up a Christmas tree and trimmings and send it to someone who LOVES to decorate at Christmas is a gift better then anything you can buy in the store. Knowing that all that is giving to Soldiers' Angels goes to the soldiers is great also. I can't image my life without them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
getting care packages from the angel store and sending my own packages to soldiers
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
enlarge it.
October 28, 2011
I have been a part of Soldiers Angels and Operation Top Knot almost since it's inception. I have a very personal reason for doing this. My husband was in the military during Vietnam. When he came home he was not treated very well. Anyone who puts their life on the line for our Country so we can enjoy our Freedom deserves our respect and admiration. Anyone who volunteers for this organization is working very hard. When we first started I think we might have had 3 pages of families. This has grown so much and we are helping a lot more families. I am proud to be a part of this organization. The only thing I would like to see is all the families on the website by the 1st weekend of the month. The weekends is the only time a lot of us can participate. All in all great job!!!!!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
Soldiers Angels are definitely heaven sent! In 2009, I married the love of my life who decided to be an active duty soldier in the Army. His decision to serve meant I had to move away from everyone I knew and the only place I'd ever called home. After arriving to his (and my) first duty station, we discovered his unit had deployed to Afghanistan and he had to go. Then I found out that I was pregnant! So, there I was pregnant with my first child and alone in a new place with my husband in combat. I found out about Soldiers Angels and Operation Top Knot. As my son's birth neared, I received presents in the mail from complete strangers; some were even handmade! I couldn't believe the kindness that was showed to me. I find myself overcome with emotion when I think about this organization, the wonderful things they do and the amazing people that support them. There are so many programs that they have in place to support soldiers and their families. I wish that more people were aware of them. I look forward to being an angel to someone and giving the same joy that was given to me.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
I'm an "expecting" spouse to a deployed solider with also a four year old. My husband will be gone for my whole pregnancy and hopefully make it back in time for our new arrival.
With this organization, my son and I had something to look forward too every time we checked the mail box. Whether it's beautiful gifts or just a touching letter showing support to my family during this tough time. Not only did they send us baby gifts but included gifts for my son to help him feel appreciated too. Thank you guys so much for everything you do. I know it's brought a smile to my face!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
I have been a volunteer of Soldiers' Angels since 2006.
The organization is an amazing way to support our military, their families , or the wounded. It is the perfect portal to help, whether I have
Time to write a letter to a deployed troop, or send a care package. I can also send a baby item to expectant moms, or make a blanket for a wounded soldier. I can send a donation to support our music or Valor-IT programs (special laptops made specifically made to each need)for our returning wounded.
Soldiers' Angels has provided an enormous need for others to feel like regular people like myself can help in some way. They have allowed volunteers to help in our local communities, our state, and our country!
The Founder, Patti Bader, is an amazing example of love, generosity, perservance, and courage.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Soldiers' Angels Riding Club in PA to welcome home our troops by flag lines in airports and motorcycle escorts, letter writing team, ladies of Liberty, Adopting soldiers, Care package campaigns, local fundraisers for holidays, VA support and visitation. I began volunteering for this organization because my sister was deployed to Iraq. I wanted to help in some way, and this organization is the perfect way to support our military in any facet.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Show a positive attitude of gratitude to the volunteers who give so much time, money, effort and dedication to this amazing cause across our nation.
My Role: Volunteer & I have adopted soldiers who need a morale booster as they are far away from home and loved ones. I also joined their Letter Writing Team, where every week I get to write to an already adopted soldier who is just looking for a little something extra.
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1 person found this review helpful
October 28, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I was in elementary school when the US carried out Operation Desert Storm. At that stage in life, I was trying to figure out what things were real, and what were not. I remember thinking that the soldiers that went to combat had to have been fake, like giants or Teddy Ruxpin. Soldiers were just make-believe people. There was no way a REAL person would actually go to war for anything, much less for the sake of their country. Why would these "people" fight for me when they don't even know me???? Unfortunately, about a decade later I would learn just how real soldiers are. Along with the rest of my country, I was very devastated on Sept. 11, 2001, and heart broken when our country went to war. I had always felt indebted to our military, but this feeling of gratitude grew exponentially after that day. I thought about our deployed all the time. One fateful day in 2004 I was reading a magazine my mom had in her car. There was an article about an organization called "Soldiers' Angels." I thought, 'Hmmmm, that's a different name. Let's read on...' My life has never been the same since! I have always felt connected to our country's military, yet I had never known anyone in the wars and knew very few people in the military. I didn't know what an APO was nor a single thing about the military, but I knew this was my calling. Here I am seven years later and I am just as excited to be involved in Soldiers' Angels as I was back then. SA gives me the chance to feel connected to our military, despite my obvious lack of exposure to this magnificent institution. I have adopted soldiers through their adoption program. But SA doesn't stop there. Oh, no they don't! They have numerous teams for people to be involved in. For example, there are Angel Bakers that send baked treats to our troops. There is the Ladies of Liberty team that focuses on female soldiers. The sewing team makes pillowcases and blankets of love. The list is amazing! SA allows you to use your interests in ways to benefit our deployed. I have always thought the concept of having a pen pal was fun, but never followed through with my interest. Soldiers' Angels changed that for me! In April of 2005, I joined their Letter Writing Team. Every week I get an already adopted soldier to write to. These are soldiers that really appreciate their Angel that has adopted them through SA, but are feeling down and would like a little extra something to boost their spirit. That's where I come in. I send them a letter and make sure to thank them and remind them that their country has not forgot about them. I have sent hundreds of letters and it never gets old. It's one of the greatest opportunities I have ever had in m life. My favorite example that I like to show everyone is a soldier that wrote back. He sent me a beautiful Christmas card from Iraq, and told me he lived in the same town as me! What a small world! He thought maybe I was a member of his family's church sending him a package, but nope. It was just a weird coincidence. Through Soldiers' Angels, I have contacted US soldiers in my own neighborhood and soldiers who were originally born in other parts of the world, but we have one thing in common. We all love our country and are all very grateful for the folks at Soldiers Angels.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I get letters back from soldiers every once in awhile and it is very rewarding to know I can make a difference in someone's life by simply writing a letter!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I am a member of the Letter Writing Team. In 2009, SA changed where you have to log-in to their website to retrieve the name of your soldier (as opposed to your LWT Leader e-mailing you your names). The problem with this is that I essentially have no Team Leader anymore. We were told we would still have a Team Leader and that we have to use the same website to contact them, but I have NEVER gotten a response and find it extremely frustrating that I can't get help (i.e. when a letter gets returned to me).
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Give members of the Letter Writing Team a Team Leader! Every since SA changed the system in late 2009 to a log-in system, I have never had a Team Leader and it is extremely frustrating.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I am known on a first-name basis at the Post Office! Haha!
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Anytime the opportunity comes up, I share my wonderful experiences at SA with others, and encourage them to do the same.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
This organization does amazing things to help support our troops! When the soldiers that have been adopted correspond with us, they are overwhelmed with gratitude. It's not only the items we can send them, but it is amazing the emotional support that we can supply to a complete stranger. I am a better and stronger person because I joined this organization.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 28, 2011
Did you know that, Soldiers Angels are actual "Angels", they put soldiers first, they give support to all of the men and women who serve or have served our country. You can be an Angel too, you can adopt a soldier and send them letters, packages and encouragement and thanks from you at home.
The Angels are support to the families of our heroes far away and those here at home. They do fundraising, host baby showers, send thousands of care packages to our soldiers, they are at bases when our heroes return home with tastes from home, goodies and refreshments to say hello and thank you! They give support to the wounded who return home to their families and they have dozens of teams making care packages, sewing blankets, making sand scarves, cooling scarves, and goodies, etc to send a little home to those away from home.
The Angels are there for each and every soldier who want or need help or support. They make a difference to the lives of our soldiers and military families.
I am proud of being a small part of Soldiers Angels and I will continue my support of our military families.
One last thing: Soldiers Angels "ROCK!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I adopted a soldier and I have read the stories from other soldiers and heard their gratitude for the support from home. I have seen the pictures of the moms and families receiving baby clothes and items for their baby shower hosted by the angels.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
When a soldier is adopted there is a check in/back with the person who adopts the soldier to make sure everything is going well and that the soldier actually wants to be getting care packages.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
None.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Anita Dice is a strong hard working woman who I feel is the backbone of the Angels in So CAL.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
It makes me want to do more and more for the families and all of our military!