Military supporters can throw a few bucks in the rucks to support local military presonnel.

The DuPont Sub-chapter of JBLM's Capt Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is collecting money to support two sub-chapter programs - the Single Soldier Project and care packages for deployed troops.

"The money raised does a lot to support the morale of troops returning from war, and those in the warzone this holiday season," said Ken Swarner, president of the DuPont sub chapter.



According to Swarner, the Single Soldier Project gives returning single Soldiers and Airmen gift baskets of toiletries and snacks in their rooms their first night home from deployment.

"Too often, our single troops come home without families there to greet them," said Swarner.  "We want these troops to know they are appreciated, plus with the high rates of suicide, we don't want our troops feeling alone and unloved."

Other monies will support sending care packages to JBLM units deployed this holiday.

"We'll take the donations to support our big care package mailing taking place November 12," Swarner added.  "We invite the families of the deployed to put in personal messages and added goodies, and we pay the postage to send the package down range.  For our younger families, this saves them money for the holidays, plus reminds both the families and the deployed troops how much we support them."

Jolene Houghtaling, a board member with the sub-chapter and employee at America's Credit Union, said her credit union is thrilled to participate in Bucks for Rucks.

"It is so important to make the Single Soldiers and Airmen feel welcomed home, especially the ones that do not have family in the area," Houghtaling added. "The last thing these men and women need to feel is alone when they get back from serving our country."

To make donations, either drop them at the Community 1st Credit Union branches in DuPont or Steilacoom (www.comm1stcu.org/contactus.html), or mail to Bucks in Rucks, c/o The Ranger newspaper, P.O. Box 98801, Lakewood, Wa. 98496.  For more information, email Ken Swarner.

More details will be available September 6th, but mark October 16th on your calendars as The Ranger & NW Airlifter Newspapers, along with SDC Homes hosts A Salute to the Unsung Heroes: Military Kids.

The day will be packed with free goodies, games, food and prizes for the children of our local military personnel.  It's a day to recognize those that have no choice in being part of a military family, and yet sacrifice heavily for this country.  They are our brave boys and girls who shoulder the burden and hardship of having a parent or parents deployed multiple times in harms way.

We are proud to announce this event, and we will have greater details and sign-ups beginning September 6th.

We have had a busy summer.

What a great day for the program.  Elite Mobile Gaming joined us at JBLM for a day of sunshine and great interaction with military readers.

JBLM did an exit survey that day and, of course, our newspaper was number one (beyond MWR's website) in bringing people to the event.  In addition, we were the top newspaper picked for how local military want to learn about MWR activities.

We jaded out our goodie bags and ran out just as the event came to a close (how is that for perfection?).  A special thanks to Claire, Chris, Gina and Lisa for manning the booth that day.

What's next?  We will have the mobile game van out and our booth July 14th on JBLM for Single Soldier Day.

The Pet Fair at the McChord BX went well on Saturday.  It's always nice to add events at the last minute.  This one came courtesy of our good friends at the Pet Brigade on JBLM.

Speaking of the Pet Brigade, we had a great flight with them to March AFB and Travis AFB last week, courtesy of an invite from the 446th Airlift Wing. 

WOW!  We have been busy with the launch of our new Star Marketing Program, plus the soon to roll out Weekly Volcano Blast Program.  It has been fun connecting business with the military community through a variety of print, online and street marketing strategies.  You can see more of our program HERE.

Meanwhile, we are in the middle of voting for our annual Best of Tacoma Guide.  It's all about super heroes this year. 

AND, we are gearing up for two HUGE events on JBLM - Freedom Fest on July 4th and Single Soldier Day on July 14.  We will have the mobile video game trailer out for both.

We are also providing the program guide for Freedom Fair on the waterfront in Tacoma this 4th of July weekend - it is a special 100 year salute to Navy Aviation.  The event draws well over 200,000 people.

Of course, there is much more that we are involved in, including the AMC Rodeo competition at McChord (that is air rodeo), the BOSS car show which just wrapped up, monthly newcomer events at JBLM (lots of families moving here this summer), getting ready to send a reporter to Afghanistan with the I Corps, organizing a big salute to military kids this Fall, and much more.

We are also looking for ways to support our clients with extra promotions.  Right now we are helping Lakewood Ford give away Mariner's Tickets.  See that here.

Cheers!

We are soooo proud of our clients, and how they take care of our troops.  Here are THREE fine examples of how they put the troops at the forefront of their business.  Enjoy!

The Pet Brigade
Lakewood Ford
NW Harley

We had the mobile video game van out Thursday for I Corps going away BBQ.  The Corps did a great job with games, things for the kids, singing, and of course our van.  

Our next two support events are the monthly Newcomers Briefing, which is June 2, followed by the BOSS Car Show on June 12th.

Also, be sure to follow us and all of the different programs we are involved in at www.jblmtoday.com.

JBLM is the place to be today as thousands of  military folks turn out to celebrate Armed Forces Day. And, we'll be there too, handing out balloons and postcards to promote JaBLAM.com, as well as other promotions. We are also signing folks up for a chance to win a trip to the Caribbean.