Dinga-dang-dong we’re the champions!
On Veteran’s Day, we at Blogging For Michigan kicked off a fundraiser called BFM Troop Care. Our blog’s owner and fellow Kossack, Christine Barry, was inspired by kath25’s rescued diary for a DailyKos care package drive and decided to do one for Michigan Reserve and National Guard units deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I’m an OIF/OEF veteran and yet I didn’t want to do it at first. I’m a jaded Soldier, one who has seen too many yellow magnets on cars but not enough action concerning care and welfare of the troops. Besides, even if people wanted to donate, the economy sucks and we couldn’t possibly get people to give up their hard earned cash for care packages, right? But Christine wanted to do it, and I wasn’t about to say no, despite thinking we were going to come out disappointed.
I’m glad to see I was wrong. After two weeks of fundraising, we completed our goal of raising $5,000.
There’s a lot of people to thank, and if I miss you, let me know in the comments and I’ll update.
First, I want to thank the members of UAW Local 598/GM Truck and Bus Flint, who donated half of the funds. I can only imagine the kinds of donations we would’ve received if we were able to get the International UAW involved instead of just one Local. Thank you and solidarity!
I’d also like to thank the Governor of our great state, along with her husband, for donating $500. Thank you Governor Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern!
Thank you to The Field Negro, for linking our fundraiser to his outstanding blog.
Thank you to Shiawassee County Commissioner Jack Johnson, who not only has gotten people to donate, but is doing an outstanding job of supporting the troops and looking out for our veterans.
Thank you to Bangor Lincoln Elementary School for providing 50 hand-made greeting cards for the troops.
Thanks to progressive radio talk show host Walt Sorg, for having me and Christine on the air to promote the project, and for promoting the project on his website.
Thanks to Tri-City Local for gathering things to ship. Last I heard, they filled 5 large boxes of items to ship.
And last but not least, a big thank you to every member of the blogosphere that donated. We couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for making this jaded Soldier into a happy man. You guys are awesome!