Food and Supplies for military families

Marines Family Beach Party Distribution

Camp Pendleton troops celebrated new household items and linens at the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Beach Party family day! Giving Children Hope, in partnership with Sons of the American Legion and Words of Comfort Hope and Promise , provided approximately 1,500 families with much needed household items.

The full-day event was held to show troops appreciation and support for their continuous sacrifice. Volunteers, agencies, organizations (and even Miss America), were in attendance with various means of appreciation: food booths, carnival games for children, food, gifts-in-kind, and more food.

Many of the families receiving supplies stated they just moved to base on Camp Pendleton and were in desperate need of the items GCHope provided. For the families or single Marines who opted for the free Snuggies available from GCHope, a chuckle and “thank you so much for being here,” was all that was needed to know any sign of appreciation is welcomed as an active duty Marine.

Thank you to the Marines of 3D Assault Amphibian battalion, Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise, and Sons of the American Legion for your partnership.

2011.09.30 by Holly Johns

Twentynine Palms Military Base Receives Supplies!

Giving Children Hope, in partnership with Twentynine Palms Armed Services YMCA, sent household products and various supplies to military families on base. The YMCA compiled 46 bags of the products donated by GCHope for families. Each bag was filled with a sheet set, one comforter, one sheet skirt, one tablecloth, one hand sanitizer dispenser, one 3-ring binder, two sports bottles, one picture frame and four cereal bowls. Each family was also able to choose one item of the following: vacuum cleaners, upholstery cleaners, pop corn makers, coffee makers, humidifiers. Troops ranking E-5 (sergeants) and below (and their families) of both the Marines and the Navy were invited to receive items.

The families and troops were allowed to gather their donated supplies after they were told “We [ASYMCA] tried hard to keep these donations a secret because we know it will be a huge blessing to your families.” Anita, who runs the ASYMCA, mentioned when the volunteers were sorting the items on the playground the day before, it was like Christmas morning – and they couldn’t wait to see the families the next day.

Some troops murmured “I’ve spent 7 years as a Marine and this is the first stuff I’ve ever been given for free” during the distribution. Mothers and Fathers, on multiple occasions, would excitedly take a humidifier, stating “my son/daughter is going to love this; the dry desert heat always gives him/her nosebleeds.”

One HM3 (Navy Hospital Corpsman, Third Class, E-4) stated, after he received his items, “This is exactly what we needed; God Bless You and your organization’s work.”

One wounded Marine with his arm in a sling received help out to his car from one of the many volunteers lending a hand. He just arrived home for surgery after being injured during battle. He, his wife and their child walked to the ASYMCA facility that morning in hopes of receiving inexpensive basic necessities. When Anita added their names to the distribution list, the Marine walked home to get his truck, completely grateful for the help. When he reached his car, the family thanked the ASYMCA and Giving Children Hope profusely for these items.

Anita stated that this family had close to nothing and desperately needed these household items. “Know that you made a huge difference in at least one man’s life by helping him and his family,” she said.

Thank you to ASYMCA, Twentynine Palms military base, and everyone who made this distribution possible! GCHope cannot wait for the next shipment to help military families!

2011.06.20 by Holly Johns