ARMY'S ARMY HAPPENINGS

Congratulations to Barbara Marshall and her family! On July 14th, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the popular Emmy Award-winning ABC Television reality show, surprised the Marshall family with the famous door knock that changes lives. Barbara Marshall, a 15-year Navy Veteran who is fighting to end homelessness among her fellow women veterans, became passionately committed to her cause when she noticed that so many of our troops were living on the streets after risking their lives to protect their fellow Americans. Marshall used her home to provide a safe shelter for homeless female veterans called the Steps-N-Stages Jubilee House.

Along with host Ty Pennington and the rest of the Extreme team, local volunteers- including Army’s Army members-and builder Blue Ridge Log Cabins raced against time to construct an entire house for the Marshall family. “We couldn’t be happier to work alongside this fantastic community, and we hope everyone will turn out and join us in building an extraordinary home for this deserving family,” said Blue Ridge Log Cabins President and CEO Chip Smith.

And they did! Not only did the entire community of Fayetteville/Cumberland County come out to show their support, but we had a surprise visit from the First Lady Michelle Obama. As part of her “Joining Forces” initiative, Mrs. Obama participated in the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build.

Leading up to this, the Army’s Army partners and members have been incredibly busy with the build.

During the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Pep Rally, the Army’s Army and the USO of NC partnered on a Rack Pack Drive for single soldiers returning home from deployment. Attendees could write personalized “hero” thank you cards to include in each Rack Pack.

This event was followed by the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition “Heroes, Hearts and Hard Hats” Festival. The Army’s Army and the USO partnered for a second time on the Rack Packs and personalized “hero” thank you cards.

The Army’s Army partners then stepped in to supply items for the VIP “Heroes, Hearts and High Heels" dinner.

Outback Steakhouse and Hardee’s, partners of the Army’s Army, extended a helping hand by sponsoring dinners during the 7 day build.

We were thrilled when we found out the recipient of this amazing gift was a military family. Lending our support to the Extreme build has given us another outlet to support the military and their families in this community, and it’s also been a great way to get our partners like Outback, Cross Creek Mall, International Minute Press and Hardee's involved in a really special event.

The Army’s Army would like to thank each and every one of our partners and members for “joining forces” in helping Barbara Marshall and her family achieve their dreams!

1. Join an Army’s Army committee.

   Log in to your account here to join the effort to help military families relocating to the community.

2. Attend an Army’s Army volunteer effort.

   All opportunities are sent to your inbox via Army’s Army e-blasts. So, look for events and special efforts going on where you can lend your time.

3. Recruit your friends.

   Do your friends know about the Army’s Army? If they are interested in supporting military families, we could use their help. Ask them to go to www.armysarmy.com to join the cause.