May 21, 2014 Dear Friends, In 2004, a handful of West Texans congregated and packed 5 boxes of Christmas cheer, shipping them to Capt. Steven Givler and 4 non-commissioned officers deployed in Iraq. This small gesture developed into an annual event that ultimately shipped 14,714 boxes and over 55 tons of kindness and thanks to OUR Troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The success of this effort was made possible by the outpouring of support from our friends and neighbors not only in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico, but rom all across the United States. After 13 years of brave service and multiple deployments by thousands of OUR Troops, combat operations are winding down in Afghanistan and virtually all of OUR Troops will be home from Iraq and Afghanistan this Christmas. It is with great joy that Christmas For OUR Troops announces that we have reached the culmination of our annual effort to bring happiness and a touch of home to those serving on our behalf in Iraq and Afghanistan. OUR Troops deployed there will be returning home from war. Your kindness and generosity has blessed our ten year effort and made all things possible. Our commitment to earn your trust and responsibly manage the funds you donated to our cause has created a surplus of cash in the CFOT account. The Board of Directors of CFOT has spent several months discussing and evaluating how, with the funds remaining in this account, we can continue to serve the men and women who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We were also very mindful as to how you might want these funds utilized. Throughout the history of our military, warriors returning home from combat have suffered from the physical injuries from combat as well as from “combat fatigue”, “shell shock” and what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a very real and painful trauma caused by living through the horrors of war - horrors we cannot begin to imagine. It is an affliction that thousands of our veterans will suffer with for years to come. The Board unanimously agreed that creating a permanent charitable fund directed to serve veterans of the U.S. Military suffering from PTSD and/or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and related conditions is a mission our donors would consider an appropriate and honorable way to utilize these funds. Accordingly, we have been in consultation with Permian Basin Area Foundation (PBAF) in Midland and have established the “Christmas For OUR Troops Permanent Fund” at the PBAF. On May 16, 2014 the residual funds from our 10 year endeavor to serve OUR Troops were transferred to the “Christmas For OUR Troops Permanent Fund”. The annual income from this Fund will allow us all to continue to serve for years to come the heroic men and women of the United States Military who sacrificed so much to protect nations and peoples far from their own families. They have experienced inconceivable hardships. The Board of CFOT is hopeful that you will consider continuing your support for OUR Troops by donating to the “Christmas For OUR Troops Permanent Fund”. It has been a blessing and a joy to work with so many wonderful volunteers and donors over the last 10 years. Our lives have been made so much richer and complete because of you. Sincerely, The Board of Christmas For OUR Troops Scott Davis – Chairman Steve Dennis Scott Sparkman Fred Westmoreland
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 21:34:40 +0000
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