On March 2, 2024, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Air Force One Pavilion, For The Troops paid tribute to our Iraq War Era Veterans. For The Troops supports our troops with care packages "one at a time" while encouraging others to respect, honor and appreciate our military.
For The Troops, led and founded by Paula Cornell (who is featured as one of our Amazing Women this month), is an all-volunteer nonprofit that gathers the essentials of daily life—toothbrushes, Kleenex, nutrition bars and other things that can make their life more livable and pleasant—and ships them to the men and women in the military who are deployed in zones of conflict throughout the world. As a Vietnam era veteran (yes, I am that old!), I continue to appreciate the sacrifice and service of our troops.
For The Troops has evolved into an organization supported by volunteers who pack boxes at their Simi Valley HQ and others who work at fundraising events such as the annual gala and golf tournament, and who write personalized letters that accompany each box.
“I feel very blessed that so many volunteers are committed to supporting our troops. Our volunteers are amazing! We are so blessed!” says Paula, adding that For The Troops depends on community support to keep sending We Care packages, especially in today’s times of economic uncertainty.
“Our donations are down 50% from last year,” the first time in its 19 years in business that For The Troops has faced such drastic funding cuts, notes Paula.
The Military Tribute Gala, chaired by the very generous and ubiquitous Rosemary Allison (she is everywhere and demands your attention when it comes down to philanthropy), has been celebrated for many years and has become an essential fundraising vehicle that enables For The Troops to fulfill their mission. Rosemary leads her own "troops" and fills the Air Force One Pavilion with community leaders such as Jacqui Irwin, Janice Parvin, Youping Gao and supporters from throughout Ventura County and Los Angeles County.
To donate and to learn more about For The Troops, visit ForTheTroops.org
