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2010 Goals
In 2010 we are hoping to launch some unique and innovative initiatives that will will help to sustain and fortify existing SFS in-house programs as well as programs designed to support our sister and brother organizations that implement synergistic programs and services through their charters. Please visit the links under "2010 Programs"...
2010 Programs
Our Sponsors, in addition to supporting our sister and brother non-profits, will also support new SFS initiatives surrounding re-integration of our returning Military. These programs will encompass continuing education, workforce investment and developmen and employer outreach programs designed around Social Entrepreneurship and Asset-Based Community Development modalities that will benefit our Veterans and their families.
As our society and government continues to strive towards economic recovery and reinvestment in this Country and our Military Veterans can take an active leadership role within their respective home cities, towns and communities. As a precursor to development of these types of programs a robust core infrastructure could be built and maintained through a Military Web 2.0 presence (social network) on the internet in conjunction with Veteran Workforce Investment and Development programs that support initiatives introduced through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
These types of forward thinking models could really benefit our younger generation, regardless of their demographic, and those residing in unserved or under-served urban and rural markets. Military returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan -- as well as Veterans from ALL wars -- could participate through these programs to provide for services ranging from Mentor/Protégé social/educational components to Mentor/Student type programs like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to training surrounding Digital Access, Inclusion and Literacy programs for unserved, under-served or impoverished families.
These types of modalities will also invite private sector employer outreach for our returning Military and qualifying Veterans that will funnel down to the beneficiaries (youth, students) of the aforementioned programs. When you tie in local assets such as Libraries, Community Colleges and K-12 you end up with support mechanisms and vehicles that bolster economic, social and community development.
How We Got Our Start
Shopping for Soldiers was originally created by a local radio station in Atlanta, Ga., when a soldier from the Iraq War called the station manager and asked if the station could find a way to send hard-to-find items, such as baby wipes, sunscreen and toiletries to soldiers in Iraq.
The station started a call-in program to provide the necessary items that soon expanded into a Holiday Gift package program because of the time of year, mid November. Close to 6,000 phone calls were received, not only for the Iraqi conflict, but from families of soldiers serving on other bases around the world.
The station decided that the initial program would only be for the Iraq conflict. Then after the first of the year they would expand to other areas of the world. It was so successful that we filled a 16ft. truck loaded with close to 16,000 packages of various goods, holiday gifts and packages for the soldiers. We then dispatched this truck to Ft. Campbell, KY to facilitate the transport of and distribution to our soldiers in Iraq.
The program was such a tremendous success that the radio station felt is was too big for them. Our feeling was that the program should be an on-going year round entity that would provide a vehicle for goods and services, not only for the holidays but for everyday and in every theatre. We came to the realization that the ones that needed our attention the most were the families of injured and fallen soldiers. Then after a year of focusing on that group, we would start to make an effort to provide the services to any soldier stationed in the continental United States.
Our future goal is that we will provide programs that will continue to support in-house initiatives as well as support the many sister and brother Veteran organizations that could benefit from our new 2010 programs.
Board of Directors / Advisors
We are in the process of vetting individuals to sit on our Board of Directors. If you are a qualifying individual that would be able to support and advise upon the above mission and goals please contact us.
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To provide ongoing support for our active duty Armed Forces, our injured or fallen Military and their families, and for our Veterans of ALL Wars.
In 2010 we will build upon the success of existing SFS programs to incorporate synergistic products, services, partnerships and initiatives that will benefit active duty armed forces, our injured, ill and fallen military, our Veterans, and their families.
Our targeted beneficiaries of new 2010 SFS programs will include Veteran non-profit organizations whose charters embody service to active duty Armed Forces, injured or ill Veterans and their families as well as Veteran organizations dedicated to reintegration, education and workforce investment for our military when they return home. 
