How can YOU support the Minnesota Military?

Have you heard of the Minnesota Military Family Foundation?

    Minnesota Military Family Foundation was created in November of 2004 that is completely a community funded organization.  The MMFF is controlled by an ALL volunteer Board of Directors.  These individuals have been involved with the military most of their lives in some fashion or another.  I have personally met most of the board members and I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful cause. 

    Back in the spring of 2012, the Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 363 wanted to donate some money to a local MN Military organization.  They came across the MMFF and decided to send them a small donation along with a letter that they are looking to continue their golf benefit but would like to send their funds they raise to help the local military instead of a National Military organization. 

    Tom Lyons contacted us and it’s been a great friendship ever since.

    Tom is one of the board members and is also a Veteran from the Vietnam era.  After getting to know Mr. Lyons, I found out that the MMFF got started because a very simple reason.  There was never a way for an active deployed soldier, during previous wars of the past, to get assistance to help them with family matters, while the soldier was doing their duty in serving their country.  They wanted to change that.  Mr. Lyons, along with many more individuals, came up with a very simple concept to help these current active soldiers if and when their in need of assistance.

    “Take care of my family”, the number one request of active deployed service members and the MMFF does just that!

    I didn’t want to mis-quote any of the following information so the following is directly from the MMFF’s website:

   The Minnesota Military Family Foundation makes a difference not only in the lives of the military family, but also improves the morale and safety of our active military personnel.

    An Army squad is made up of eight soldiers and when the squad is on patrol/mission, each soldier is dependent on each other for security and safety. When a soldier is distracted because of concerns about financial issues/difficulties with the family back home, every soldier on the squad is at risk because the soldier is not fully engaged in the patrol/mission.

    The Minnesota Military Family Foundation helps turn a bad situation into a positive situation for all the soldiers in the squad.

    The soldier feels the financial burden lifted and feelings of pride because of the support from the community at home. When the soldier is no longer focused on the financial situation at home, the soldier is able to stay engaged in the mission and protect the other soldiers in the squad to the fullest.

When we help one soldier, we help all soldiers. When we help one military family, we're helping all military families.

    I was just like everyone else out there, I wasn’t aware of this organization until I got involved with volunteering.  After learning so much about what the MMFF does, I was blown away at how much they have done in a short period of time.  Since 2004 the MMFF has filled over 1350 grants totaling more than 2.5 million dollars! 

   Imagine your military spouse being overseas and your heater just went down for the count.  It’s coming up on winter time soon and you are low on funds to get a new one or fix it.  The soldier is now worried about their wellbeing and the kids staying warm over the winter.  The soldier can’t come home, due to his duty and the job he/she is currently in and is getting worried.  The soldier contacts the Family Assistance Center through their squad leader and or sergeant in charge looking for help.  The FAC contacts the MMFF and explains the situation that soldier is in.  The board meets up and within matter of minutes the MMFF tells the FAC that they will assist and pay for the new heater.  The FAC contacts the spouse and lines up a contractor that they’ll come out and fix the problem.  The MMFF will in turn pay that contractor directly after said job is completed.  That is a simplistic way of what happens when a grant gets filled.

   I have been to a few ceremonies over the last couple years and I have been able to listen to some stories directly from some of the families that live right here in Minnesota.  Last year I had the pleasure of hearing a mother discuss what the MMFF did for them and their family at Christmas time, and due to private and personal information and not having the clearance to mention the whole story, let me just say…there wasn’t too many dry eyes in the room. 

   What I’m trying to get across to my readers out there is this:  The MMFF is for real and knowing that all the money that you donate eventually will help a family in need, a family that may be your neighbor or even someone that you may know. 

   I urge you to take a moment to go to the website and read more about the MMFF and ask yourself, “What can I do to help?”. 

   Coming up this summer, there are many golf benefits that you can get involved with.  The photos are from those events.  They are not only a lot of fun, but they raise a lot of funds.  Please link to the website for all upcoming events and learn more about the MMFF.

   The Men's Auxiliaries, for VFW Post 363, golf tournament is June 21st at Victory Links Golf course this year and we have a lot of fun!  Please be on the lookout for my post on this event.

 www.minnesotamilitaryfamilyfoundation.org