"For those who serve, it is an honor. For their families, it is a sacrifice.
For those of us who benefit, it is our duty. Support our troops and their familes." {GBS Distributing}
Here in Alachua County, Florida, we are working to provide support for our military troops
and their families. Through this site we hope to keep our folks updated and provide others with encouragement to do something similar in their own communities.
Our NEXT MEETING is listed below. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at First
United Methodist Church in Alachua.
When it's your son, daughter, husband or wife wearing the uniform, it's not about politics - it's about
them. Thanks to all who support our loved ones and our group.
(July 6) Hello all - we had a great 4th of July at the City of Alachua Recreation Center. Our booth looked fabulous!! We were the most patriotic booth in the entire festival - made me proud. We made $1030.00. That will send 94 boxes over to our men and women serving our country and protecting our freedom now. I am always humbled by the number of veterans who donate to us at this event and they are so generous. Thank you to every person who made this 4th such a success.
Remember to mark July 17th on your calendars for our next meeting. We have about 124 names and the list keeps growing. Have a great week and see you on the 17th! Linda
2ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT SEPTEMBER 13
Hello all - Jim and Kim worked hard and raised so much money for us last year -
they really gave us the basis we needed toaccomplish all that we have done in
the past year. They are gearing up for this years tournament and we need
everyone's help. Please email the tournament information to all your military support friends, golf
friends and people who may know someone who would be interested. Also - print
some flyers and post them where you work. Get the word out. We will take some of the
flyers to the 4th of July celebration in Alachua. Please help us Support Our
Troops. Thank you - Linda
Click on the image of the flyer for a printable form.
ONLY ONE MEETING PER MONTH - JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
(Updated 6/8) With so many people out of pocket during the summer, we will focus all of our efforts in one meeting during the months of June, July and August. We will meet June 5th, July 17th and August 7th. In September we will resume our normal schedule of two monthly meetings. - Jim
ART PINA COMPLETES RIDE OF 7,000 MILES IN SUPPORT OF MSGFAC
(May 31) At 2pm sharp, Art Pina rolled in on his Harley to end a journey of about 7,000 miles in support of the troops and this support group. A couple of dozen people clapped as he arrived at the Gainesville Harley dealership. He was glad to be back after 28 days on the road and spent a good deal of time greeting those he missed.
He left on May 3rd, traveling acoss the southern part of the US, then on to the west coast. He met up with others in Pomona Valley, California and then rode across the nation to Washington D.C. in an annual event visiting the Vietnam Memorial, "The Wall." Art then finished his journey by returning to Florida. He checked in with Harley Davidson shops as checkpoints. He has received donations and pledges of support to benefit the mission
of our support group.
He said it was a beautiful ride, despite an encounter with a hail storm that left his bike and helmet with damage. "The best part of the tour, we stopped at VA Hospitals along the way. I spoke to veterans injured in Iraq and the Persian Gulf area. That was incredible." He told the young men and women why he was making the ride and what our support group does. They all thought it was awsome and wished that their communites had something
like ours. It made Art feel that much better that he is a part of something so worthy and meaningful.
We are all proud of Art Pina, himself a Vietnam Veterean. His act of partiotism has touched the lives of those he visited and those who will benefit from the proceeds of his charitable journey. He's red, white and blue. He's all American. Thank you, Art.
FROM LINDA GOODWIN:
(Apr 26) Hello all - we had a great morning today - worked hard and we were with good people all morning - can't beat that! And...we made $553.00 to support our troops - See everyone this Thursday - remember to email me if you want me to pull an address for you to mail a specific box. ALso - bring y our ink cartridges and cell phones to recycle - see you then! Linda
SUCCESS IN IRAQ: A MEDIA BLACKOUT
May 20th Article in the New York Post, by Ralph Peters.
Is our American media slow to recognize that we are WINNING in Iraq? Read the article ...
STREIT'S MOTORSPORTS SPONSORS 5TH ANNUAL SUPPORT THE TROOPS DAY
Our friends at Streit's Motorsports in Gainesville are holding their 5th annual SUPPORT THE TROOPS DAY on Sunday, April 6th at the Recreation Park in the city of Alachua. The day features a ride through Alachua County for bikers. All proceeds go to the Military Support Group For Alachua County. We appreciate the tremendous continuing support provided by Streit's Motorsports. To view a flyer for the event, CLICK
HERE.
MESSAGE FROM A PROUD DAD
Dear All, I want you'll to know how much you'll have mean't to me. I don't
think words can express it, especially mine. I have had a great time with the
group and plan to keep doing so. Bobby's tour of about eight months was
relatively short and you'll have made it seem much shorter. Being around you'll
and seeing/hearing the young brides are the best of times. The support group has
made so many lives better and easier. You'll are the best of the best and I can
never thank you enough. I never would have thought you'll and the group could
have meant so much to me; but you have. You'll are the best. Take care, God
Bless You and I hope to see you again soon. Stephen
TEXT FROM RECENT EMAIL (VIA NINA SPENCER - THANKS)
Hi Nina! We received your care package yesterday! I just want to tell you "Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" We have received numerous care packages from the Military Support Group of Alachua County. Unfortunately we haven't gotten e-mail addresses in all of them. I'm not sure if you know her, but we have gotten so many packages from Darlene Esposito. Let me say that you guys have an amazing organization! The items you sent
were needed and will all go to great use! To know that we have such overwhelming support back home makes everyday worth it out here. It reminds us just what we are fighting for. Many of my Sailors are here for the first time and you and your organization have done wonders for their quality of life. I will never be able to thank you enough for taking the time to make life easier for us. Thank you so much!!! Very Respectfully, AE1 (AW) Adam Johns VS-32 "Maulers" Line Division Leading Petty Officer United States Navy
SEE RICH RUBANICK'S NEW VIDEO - TROOP BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT
Rich has done it again! Check out this video that features photos and video from the September 16th Golf Tournament that raised both money and awareness for our troops! Click here to watch. If you would rather view it at YouTube, click here.
GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $12,860 FOR THE SUPPORT GROUP
(Update Sep 24) This September 16, 2007 golf tournament that Jim Brinkman and Kim Green worked on so hard on was a great success. The weather was great, everything went smooth, and the tournament raised $12,860.00 for the support group. This money will be used to pay postage and purchase anything that is not already donated.
We cannot say enough in gratitude for great Americans like Jim Brinkman and Kim Green. We know that there are others who dedicate their time and efforts to the worthy cause of supporting the troops. We think globally and act locally. And locally, Jim and Kim are in the spotlight. Their efforts will directly impact so many of our area's troops in a positive way.
We are asking everyone to check that shelf or drawer of DVD's that they have and see if you want to donate any of them to send to the troops. Most of them have access to a lap top and can play them on that...and when we have sent DVD's we get letters back that they really help with the boredom when they are not working. Just think about how it would be for you if you worked 12 to 16 hour days and then on on your one off day - there was nothing to do - no tv, movie theatre,
restaurant to go out to, park to hike in - but you got this box with some great DVD's in it.
Collect up any DVD's you can donate and bring them to one of our meetings. If you cannot make it to a meeting but want to make a contribution, please contact Linda Goodwin by email at lindagoodwin@alltel.net.
Coming Up ...
Join us for our regular meetings, twice each month. We meet to help our troops and we also meet to help support
you while they are gone.
Comments:
"On behalf of the Officers, NCOs, and Soldiers of A Co, 86th Signal Battalion I
would like to thank all of you who continually support us. Your cards, boxes, prayers, and support mean more to us than
I can express in words. It is truly an honor to serve representing great Americans such as yourselves. Happy Holidays.
Thanks again." (Dec 2006)
CPT Scott Childers Commander, A Co 86th Signal BN Camp Adder, Iraq
Notes ...
RETURNING VETERANS ... we need your help.
Upon your return, you are invited to visit with the Support Group, where you can let them know how important their support
is. Meet family members who still have loved ones over there - your presence and words may bring them hope and comfort.
Your community wants to show their gratitude for your commitment and you are welcomed to join us in our meetings and
any of our special events. Contact Jim Yakubsin (352) 222-8837 or Pam Krueger (352) 377-9738.
Send A Card
This is quick and easy. You can select a card and put your message of support. It will be printed and mailed
to one of the American troops serving in the Middle East.
Working with the staff from the Alachua County Tax Collector's Office, we have the opportunity to
recycle old cell phones through a program called Cell Phones For Soldiers. The value of the old phones is transferred
to phone calling cards that can be sent to our troops for their use.
If you can help in any way or you have a resource that can help us, please contact us.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? You can provide items listed on the page entitled What is needed over there?. You can come to the meetings and help us box up the items. Or you can take them to any of the collection
locations where we have a box. You can make a monetary donation to help pay the costs of postage to send these
items. You can offer your services of your profession at a discounted rate. If you can do any of these things,
please contact us. We need your help.
BUY AN UMBRELLA AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
The MSGFAC is selling a very nice umbrella for $10. Telescoping sectional hard plastic cover with drain cup
and drain plug on the end. Wood handle. Easy to use. Each umbrella bears the stars and stripes
of our nation and has an image of the yellow ribbon on a clear panel to help all remember that it is not over until
they are all home. We have sold hundreds of them.
We now have them in blue with little clouds and plain black. Each of those also has the little clear panel to see
through and our logo.
If you are interested in purchasing one or many, you can let us know by contacting us at PO Box 1926, High Springs, FL
32655, or contact us by clicking on this link.
"If you don't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them."
CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF OUR TROOPS, PAST AND PRESENT.
From The Webmaster
Greetings
For those of your from beyond our local boundaries, Welcome! Our site draws hits from all over the world. What we hope to accomplish with our web presence is to show other communities one more way they can do something for the troops from where they are. In the last two weeks our site visits are from as far away as Belgium, Spain and the UK, but also from many towns in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Colorado, California,
Missouri, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. If you are visiting us, we want you to know this is a very rewarding program. After four years of working, it has never decreased in size. The group and the community support continue to grow each year.
We pray for a day that we will not need a support group. Until then, we are doing what we can to support our kids in uniform, our young men and women, their leaders, and their families.
This is a difficult time for our troops and their families. The separation and lack of contact can strain relationships.
The details of war can be distressing. If you have returned from the theater of operations and need to talk to
someone, or if you are a family member that needs help figuring things out, contact us. We have some resources for you. We are here for you.
In light of reports of some non-profit groups having questionable financial situations, we submit this to all:
The Military Support Group of Alachua County is a non-profit (501 C 3) organization that provides support to
the soldiers serving overseas by sending packages on a bi-weekly basis and
supports their families by providing a place to meet every two weeks and a pot
luck dinner, supplies to fill boxes for their loved ones and postage to mail
these boxes. 100% of the money that we receive is used for these
purposes. There are no paid members of the group…all of the work is done by
volunteers. The only administrative money spent provides funds to keep our
501C3 status federally and our non-profit Florida corporation status.
Thank you for helping us with this
important work of supporting our troops.
CLICK HERE