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Meyer founded Montana Supporting Soldiers, a non-profit organization, in 2003, and the organization currently has 50 members. Montana Supporting Soldiers began the “Christmas for our Troops” campaign this past October. The campaign consisted of two projects: “Barrels of Support” and “Giving Tree.”
The “Barrels of Support” project placed 11 decorated barrels in businesses in Helena, Mont., and neighboring communities for donations, while the “Giving Tree” consisted of a decorated Christmas tree in a local restaurant. Each ornament on the tree had a soldier’s name written on it and supporters were asked to purchase suggested items for the soldier and place them in a gift bag beneath the tree.
Meyer said she began the program after her son joined the Air Force and found it very fulfilling.
"I work full time and do this full time,” Meyer said. “Knowing how much it means to them makes me feel good."
With contact information for the deployed troops coming from unit commanders, family members, an online support group and fellow servicemembers, the program is truly a group effort, Meyer said.
“There are so many caring people in this community and so many wanting to help who don’t know how,” she said. “I gave them a way.”
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Each “Giving Tree” ornament had a soldier’s name written on it. Supporters were asked to purchase suggested items for one of the soldiers and place them in a gift bag beneath the tree. Courtesy Photo Download high res image |
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Montana Supporting Soldiers group members box care packages to send to deployed soldiers. Courtesy Photo Download high res image |