What Is Unite For Troops?

After 9/11 people would come by Porter’s Army Navy to collect patriotic items and each would say they wanted to help our troops but didn’t know what to do. Within a month we had our first event. Items we collect have reached our troops overseas first through Army at Ft. Hood, then we collected items to support our incoming wounded through Fisher House and now we have teamed with the USO to get our collections straight into the hands of our troops in Afghanistan.

Our one day event has become a celebration held at Porter’s Army Navy in Irving. Small businesses and individuals have joined together to create a fun family event. Great entertainment appears on the stage while the children can play games and win prizes for free plus the bounce house, petting zoo, face painting and reptile exhibit. Static vehicles and car show are in the parking lot next door and put on quite a show. The food booths have grown to include BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos, homemade Ice Cream (yum) and fresh made deserts. The funds we raise from food donations help pay for our shipping costs. By the end of the day our event has a threefold purpose. To support our troops overseas, to honor our Veterans and their families, and to bring our community together for a fun family day where they can meet a hero, face to face – our Veteran’s and troops.. And to provide a day to say “God Bless America”.

Where do the items go?

All items we collect will end up directly in the hands of the brave men and women of our military. These items will be delivered directly to the USO’s in Kandahar and Bagram Afghanistan and to our troops passing through our DFW Airport USO. A list of needs were sent to us primarily asking for comfort items like toiletries, snacks and letters plus batteries and non breakable Christmas Ornaments.

Included in their list is New Children’s Books to be used with the United For Reading Program. The USO’s in all three locations have allocated a room where our troops with families can select a book especially for their children and read them while being video recorded. At the end of their session they are invited to have some private time with the camera so they may record a special message. The videos and books are then sent to their children. It’s easy to see how quickly they can run short of books.

Where does the money raised from the event go?

All funds raised from donations and the sale of food at the event plus any donations online will go towards postage to mail our Care Packages directly overseas.