Helping Our Troops
Stoneham, Massachusetts U.S.A.
H.O.T.
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
About Us
The Helping Our Troops program started out as a simple conversation between two Vietnam Veterans from Stoneham, Massachusetts; Frank Geary and Walter Kopek.
As war veterans they knew first hand what our soldiers would be experiencing mentally, physically and emotionally. These two veterans
also remembered how they felt receiving packages from home during
their darkest days of the Vietnam War and wanted to ensure the
younger generation now serving in "Iraqi and Enduring Freedom" 
were well taken care of.
Mr. Kopeks son has served 2 tours of duty with the U.S. Army.
"Support from home is what keeps a soldier grounded. I know how I felt when my first package arrived and I'll never forget what it meant to me. It's our job to ensure every soldier knows we are thinking of them while they are away from home." ~ Frank Geary, Vietnam Veteran
In November of 2006 Helping Our Troops was offically introduced to the community. The Vietnam Veterans of America (Fitzgibbon/McMahon Chapter 837) and the VFW Post 620 (S/Sgt. George Hall) of Stoneham, Massachusetts banded together with families and friends of local soldiers to show their support. Word quickly spread throughout surrounding towns uniting our entire community as a support force for our troops here on the home front.
Local supermarkets, businesses and elementary schools from surrounding towns joined in to show their support by allowing donation bins in their establishments. While some collected goods for the troops others made monetary donations. Every dollar collected helped defer exorbitant shipping costs that started out in 2006 at $1,200 each month that have since escalated to $2,000. Every person participating in this program has made a difference and for that we are very grateful!
The H.O.T. Program has far exceeded our expectations over the past five years and as we enter year six as a community sponsored program we proudly reflect on those accomplishments...
>Local Cable and Community Access Channels are now broadcasting the H.O.T. Program throughout our community helping spread the word of our mission to support the troops.
>Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, Massachusetts has recognized H.O.T. as an intricate supporter to our military service personnel. In June the H.O.T. Program received an honorary plaque at Hanscom Air Force Base annual Homecoming Hero's Celebration.
>Fox 25 News, Boston hi-lights H.O.T. and the local Massachusetts soldiers we support.
>November, 2011 - H.O.T. passes the 55 ton marker of goods shipped overseas supporting thousands of military service personnel serving our country.
>Nov/Dec 2011' H.O.T. launches our 3rd Annual "Operation Holiday Hereos'" Event. The Adopt-A-Box Program helps raise funds as-well-as goods for our holiday shipments overseas. Support for our troops comes full force from all directions of Massachusetts during the holiday season. Knitting groups lovingly craft knitted caps to keep our soldiers in the colder regions warm along with prayer squares to protect them during deployment. Schools across the state collect good to help fill the packages. In December H.O.T. topped the charts shipping out 1200 packages for the holidays all thanks to YOU!
Helping Our Troops has many people to thank within the community for keeping this program running full steam ahead over the past 5 years, especially the members and volunteers who's commitment and dedication has made this mission so successful.
Many local businesses and organizations alike have made generous donations keeping us afloat. Unfortunately, the economy has hit everyone these days and our large donations have dwindled. We continue to stay positive and move forward with our chin up. The public has always come through for us assisting in any way they can whenever we are in need. We have many heroes amoung us that help us meet our goals somehow and we are forever grateful for their continued support to our program.
HELPING OUR TROOPS OFFICERS
Frank J. Geary, President
John Fitzgerald, Vice President
Beverly DeVirgillio, Executive Director
Rebecca Scott, Treasurer
HELPING OUR TROOPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cheryl Hollander Margaret Warren
Walter Kopek Carol Buonopane
Maryellen Dee Mary Chimi
Stephanie Milotzky Skip Milotzky
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Helping Our Troops (Massachusetts)
P.O. Box 80187
Stoneham, MA 02180
Phone: 781.507.5600
Email: helpingourtroopsma@comcast.net
www.helpingourtroopsma.com
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