involved they spread the word to their “I think we all agree that one way friends and family, who often end up or another we will probably all still be volunteering as well. involved, but we obviously can’t be as “It has grown so rapidly because involved as we are now,” says Taylor. people are excited and engaged,” Tonya “We’re kind of bringing up the next gensays. “These kids have found an area that eration of board members. We have a lot people are excited about. People want of kids involved who volunteer with us to support our troops, people want to who we think will end up filling in and support our veterans, they want to do taking our spots after we leave.” something with their kids.” If Youth for Troops’ future leaders The volunteers’ largest and most fregrow as much from their experience quent event is the monthly care packing as the six cofounders have, they will event. Donations of food and hygiene be well-prepared for adulthood. Tonya products are sorted and then packed says she has marveled at the social skills, into boxes, along with cards of appre- Quinn Rambo, 7, decorates a shipping box for troops overseas. public speaking skills and work ethic. ciation, before being shipped off to service can be made on the charity’s Facebook page “Honestly, hearing them tell stories after members overseas. In July, Youth for Troops or website. For $30 a month, businesses can events of their experiences, I think they’re marked a milestone by sending its 2,000th join the Sponsor a Hero program. The par- growing emotionally, too,” she says. “I think care package. And some of the recipients of ticipating businesses fund monthly care pack- they’ve each had personal experiences with those packages have sent replies. ages and are recognized on Youth for Troops’ our veterans and our military that have inThe volunteers receive thank-you letters newsletter with a thank-you message next to spired them. I think they’re going to take this that are then posted on social media. the company’s logo and a link to its website. experience with them into school and into the “In their letters they say that they really apIn addition to, or in lieu of, financial sup- workforce and do great things.” preciate the boxes, that it boosts morale and port, Youth for Troops needs more volunteers For more information on Youth for Troops, that it’s nice to hear people back home are as it expands. And despite its name, the or- visit its Facebook page or its website, youththinking of them,” Taylor adds. ganization seeks and needs adult volunteers fortroops.org. The care packages aren’t cheap to send out. no less than youth Youth for Troops is spending a minimum of volunteers. $1,500 a month for the care packages alone, “I think the bigand the kids are responsible for it. gest misconcep“According to our stats, these kids have tion for Youth for offered enough community service projects Troops is that it’s with volunteers signing in to have 12,500 total only for the youth,” volunteer service hours accumulated by our Tonya says. “I think volunteers.” Tonya says. “And they fundraise the parents think all of the money to do these events on their they need to drop own and luckily they’ve paid their bills every their kids off or single month.” that if they’re over The board members and volunteer dona- the age of 12 they Midwestern University tions have been significant, but none of the won’t enjoy this. Body Donation Program Youth for Troops’ accomplishments would We have almost You Can Make a Difference for be possible without community support. as many adult volSchools have held donation drives, Postnet unteers as we have the Future of Healthcare. of Anthem and Storage at Anthem have set up kids.” Your gift will help educate compassionate boxes on their properties to receive in-kind The challenge healthcare professionals for tomorrow. donations and the Anthem Area Chamber with Youth for of Commerce, Phoenix Metro Chamber of Troops is the curCall 623-806-7990 for more information. Commerce and Southwest Veterans Cham- rent board of direcber of Commerce have sponsored and wel- tors will not remain Midwestern University comed Youth for Troops as members of their school-aged chilBody Donation Program organizations. dren indefinitely. Tomorrow’s Healthcare Team Individuals and businesses help Youth for Still, the board 20195 North 57th Avenue | Glendale, Arizona 85308 Troops help military members. In addition to knows the source azbodydonation@midwestern.edu | www.midwestern.edu/bodydonation the in-kind drop boxes, monetary donations of its successors.
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