September 5, 2014
In This Issue:
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Greetings!

Thank you for joining us for this issue of Marine Parents News. If this is your first time receiving the newsletter, welcome aboard, we're excited for you to be here!

MarineParents.com is joining organizations across the country to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month. Learn more in our first article. Also, check out the table of contents to the left for additional topics of interest covered in this issue.

Thank you for joining us and especially for your continued support of our brave men and women in uniform.

Semper Fi Marine Families!







Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder and Executive Director
MarineParents.com, Inc.

September is Suicide Prevention Month
Here at Marine Parents, we have been in touch with far too many veterans and veteran families affected by suicide -- from suicide attempt survivors to families mourning the unbearable loss of their loved one to suicide.
 

Our Marine Parents Founder said it best: "One suicide is too many. One more suicide is too late."     

 

Take time today to learn the signs of suicide risk and help spread the word about mental health resources. The Veterans Crisis Line reminds us in their Suicide Prevention Month material that one small act can make a big difference. We can work together to save lives.  

 

Click here to learn more... 
Honor Families of Our Fallen
Sign the Pledge Today!

Sunday, September 28, is Gold Star Family Day and in honor and recognition of the losses and sacrifices the families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty have faced, we would like to encourage groups and individuals around the country to mark this occasion by lighting a luminary at dusk in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.  

Click here to pledge your support today!
Say "Happy Birthday" to a Marine
2014 Marine Corps Birthday Card Campaign

The Marine Corps' birthday, November 10, is an important event that all Marines celebrate as their own "second" birthday, and each year, in honor of this special day, we assemble and ship birthday-themed care packages for deployed Marines.

This year, we will be packing 300 "Birthday Boxes" on our November 1, 2014 packing day at the Marine Parents corporate office in Columbia, MO and we need YOU to write "Happy Birthday" cards to Marines to include in these Birthday Boxes.

Click here to learn more...
Volunteer With Us in Washington, DC
We Need Your Help!

The "Ooh Rah" spirit of the Marine Corps is awaiting you in Washington, DC the weekend of the Marine Corps Marathon, October 23-26, 2014. If you've always wanted to visit DC, then this is the weekend to do it!

We need volunteers to assist at the expo booth Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well as staff our charity tent on Sunday. Come join the fun and help us out!

Click here to sign up today!
"Join Their Fight" Campaign
Learn How You Can Make a Difference

By our estimates, over half of the servicemembers who have served in combat since 9/11 now have or will have critical health needs as a direct result of being deployed to a combat zone. While the statistics are alarming, the aftermath of war and health battles being waged upon return have remained the same for generations.

 

With that in mind, we need YOU to help us raise $78,000 to provide 500 Warrior Reintegration Bags to wounded, ill, and injured service members in rural areas and others in need.

 

Click here to learn more... 

Create Your Own "Go Fund Me" Campaign
Begin Raising Money for Marine Parents Today!

You can create your own fundraiser for MarineParents.com! It's quick and easy and you can put the power of your connections to work to support our troops by starting a "Go Fund Me" campaign today.

Click here to start your own "Go Fund Me" campaign today!
Get to Know the Team
TMP Featured Participant: Gwyn Johnstone-Slaine

This issue's TMP featured participant is a proud new Marine mom from Oregon checking an item off her bucket-list by running in a marathon--Gwyn Johnstone-Slaine.

Gwyn's son graduated MCRD earlier his year on June 13, and she decided there's no better way to show pride in his accomplishment than to complete her dream of running a marathon in honor of her son while raising funds for the Warrior Support Team.

Click here to learn more about Gwyn...
MarineParents.com, Inc. is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity founded on January 21, 2003 to provide support, information, and services to Marines and their family members, and to create opportunities for individuals to support our troops. In over 11 years of service, Marine Parents has made a huge impact in support of Marines, military personnel, and their family members.

Marine family members are encouraged to support one another through activities and networking provided by the organization and guided by trained volunteers. Outreach to injured troops is volunteer-centered with in-person contact. Additional troop-support centered programs are designed to actively engage individuals and communities across the United States while maintaining the privacy of military personnel. All services are offered free to family members, Marines and military personnel.

In 11 years of service, MarineParents.com has:
  • Invested over $2 million delivering direct support to Marines, their families and other military personnel.
  • Provided information and a Place to Connect & Share® to more than 250,000 family members through a network of communities and educational websites.
  • Processed over 1200 support requests each week from recruit and Marine family members.
  • Collected materials and shipped over 38,000 care packages to Marines and military personnel in combat zones.
  • Involved thousands of Americans in sending over 87,000 cards and letters to injured troops.
  • Served over 35,000 meals to injured troops and their families at military medical facilities on the east and west coasts.
  • Planned and carried out recreational events for hundreds of injured troops and their families.
  • Delivered materials and resources to aid in the recovery process to hundreds of family members of injured troops.
  • Provided support and networking to hundreds of Gold Star families.
Tracy Della Vecchia, Founder and Executive Director, leads the operations from the corporate office in Columbia, Missouri with staff, volunteers, and a volunteer Board of Directors. In addition to the moderated, OPSEC-compliant Marine Family Network (MFN), chat rooms and informative websites, several outreach programs to support Marines and families before, during and after the Marine Corps are provided by the organization. Funding for the programs is through donations, grants, fundraising and store sales. In 2009, the 15-item online store began expansion, eventually becoming the EGA Shop. In 2010, the production facility was established on-site to design and develop custom product, dramatically boosting sales and providing additional funding for the outreach programs. The organization is an official Marine Corps Trademark licensee.

Statistics updated August, 2014. 







Outreach Programs of MarineParents.com, Inc.:


Warrior Support Team

Operation Prayers
and Letters

The Care Package
Project

Gold Star
Family Support

Luminary Initiative
Gold Star Family Day
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