What Do YOU Do To Give Something Back?

Some people just don't get what is wrong with our warriors when they return from war. Yes, you can use catch phrases like PTSD, but do you know what that really means? Do you realize that these guys and gals aren't "broken" but are quite simply doing what they are trained to do?  

Our Warriors are warriors, that's all there is to it. Right? Well, sure, IF they remain in a military atmosphere where everyone else is trained the same. Oh, but don't forget those Warriors who were in combat and experienced their unit getting hit by firefight and walked away the only survivor. And don't forget those who were blown up, ambushed, had their sleeping quarters under constant fire, their water supply poisoned, and countless other situations that rock your foundation of security. Now, some of these Warriors get by just fine, and that is great. Maybe their threshold is higher and they can just hold out longer. But many others aren't holding out so well. I think while they are still in a military atmosphere the hold it together better because they have to.  

What happens when they come home? Especially Service Members in the Army National Guard and Army and Marine Reserves. When the military doesn't need them, they get to go home and be civilians again until the next time they are needed. Do you have any idea how hard that must be to walk around with your survival triggers firing off in your head constantly. It has to be an exhausting endeavor. It's no wonder these Warriors think there is something wrong with them (because you know that is how everyone around them treats them). They are exhausted, from being "on" 24/7, don't sleep, if they do sleep they have nightmares...how do you feel when you are exhausted? Can't be rational? Small things set you off? Imagine how a Warrior feels in that position.  

I feel there is more we can do to make these Warriors realize we are here to help them, just as they've helped us retain our freedom for the last 234 years. I feel it's our duty to help them in any way we can. It's the least we can do. Really.  

What can we do to help these guys when they come home? How can we possibly do anything significant enough that it might help?  

Well...I happen to donate my time and talents to an amazing organization here in the Tampa Bay are that offers our Service Members a trip out on one of the boats to go sailing, fishing, just do nothing. They can spend time with others who have experienced what they have and they truly "get" it. 

By spending an afternoon on the water, chatting, laughing, not worrying, being themselves...it heals them. It's an absolutely amazing thing to watch a Viet Nam vet cry because they feel like someone FINALLY understands them. They start to understand themselves! Watch a young Marine who can't keep his balance hunt for shells on the beach and be SO excited about what they find (especially a starfish as broken on the outside as they feel on the inside - and they realize that both are still perfectly beautiful) that their enthusiasm reminds you of a young kids first trip to the beach. These excursions really are healing. You have to see it to grasp the full effect but trust me, it's a beautiful thing.  

*** The name of the non-profit water based company that was previously endorsed on this page has been removed and is no longer endorsed by myself and my Gold Star family. If you want some worthwhile non-profits that use donated funds for what they actually say they will use it for, I will be happy to provide a current list if you message me. **

With the word "Deployment" looming on the horizon...

...and having not even recovered from the last one, my brain is starting to need an outlet again. I started working on my designs for my store. I miss doing that.

I got really preoccupied with some other duties and the things I love got sacrificed as a result. So now I have my family life back on track, farm working towards earning it's keep, and my business is heading in a positive direction again.

At least it was until Mike said that word. I'm going to just kind of ignore it for now though, because it's not an immediate thing. It's not even a bad thing. It's just something I don't want to think about at the moment.

So, I worked on designs and creating more items with existing designs. You'll be seeing those in the near future.

*** The name of the non-profit water based company that was previously endorsed on this page has been removed and is no longer endorsed by myself and my Gold Star family. If you want some worthwhile non-profits that use donated funds for what they actually say they will use it for, I will be happy to provide a current list if you message me. **

First Response Backpacks

My name is SFC G and I am currently serving in Afghanistan.This past Friday I was MEDEVACed to the Hospital. While in transport my uniform was cut off me to allow the Doctors and everyone to do what they do best. Once I woke up in my hospital bed a Nurse handed me a bag from your Organization. At first I just thought that this was just the normal toothbrush, shampoo, and other personal hygiene items. I have never been so happy to be wrong in my life. I cannot tell you how happy I was to open a bag and find clothes that I could put on and feel human again. The weirdest thing was not getting the clothes, but rather the feeling of being at home again. Over here everything smells “Army.” You can ask any veteran and they will tell you that the military has a certain smell that comes with it. This bag for a few minutes helped me forget about the pain and everything else going on over here and made me feel like I was back home with my wife and kids. I had never heard of your group before this and I am in the process of informing my entire family about what you all do. Words cannot express my thanks to all the wonderful people you have working and volunteering to help all of us over here. It is because of all the people like everyone in your organization that allows us to do what we do. Once again thank you for your support and Merry Christmas to all of you!

With the utmost thanks and gratitude!

SFC G

To find out more how you can help, please visit www.soldiersangels.org

Vets run Soldiers' Angels Warehouse

Soldiers’ Angels proudly announces the opening if its first Angel-operated warehouse, staffed by four recent veterans and Angel volunteers. The warehouse consolidates and streamlines SA’s extensive packing, shipping and screen-printing activities in support of the troops, reducing the organization’s overhead expenses and providing an employment opportunity for veterans.

“It’s a better bang for benefactors’ bucks,” explains Soldiers’ Angels Operations Manager Toby Nunn, who oversaw development of the warehouse. Located across the street from Brooke Army Medical center in San Antonio, Texas—a city with the highest concentration of wounded and other active duty soldiers in the United States—the 10,000-square-foot facility reduces shipping costs for SA by its proximity to one of the largest targets of SA’s troop support efforts.

In addition to the reduction in overhead, the cost of paying for the warehouse staff itself fits the mission of Soldiers’ Angels by supporting veterans . “Staffing it with recent veterans helps provide a soft-landing for their transition to civilian life,” Nunn explains. “It surrounds them with like-minded people as they learn the corporate world.” This is especially helpful for those who may be struggling, Nunn says with enthusiasm. “You can’t say, ‘You don’t get it.’ Because you’re looking at a bunch of people who do.”

Another benefit of the location is its easy access for families with patients at BAMC who drop by for the relaxation of being among people who understand. Family members and mobile patients often find enjoyment in pitching in. “Right now we have a couple of families and even a Ft. Hood shooting victim helping out with the Holiday care packages,” says Nunn. “We’ve been shipping out about one semi per day.”

Next door to the warehouse is 3,000 square feet of exhibit space that will be used for military-themed book signings, video/movie screenings, SA leadership meetings, and more. Part of the exhibit space will house a permanent installation of the Tribute to Heroes and Angels museum, and the facility will also support a program of music therapy and music lessons for wounded veterans.

Soldiers' Angels co-founder Jeff Bader says the entire facility is more than a base of operations. “It will be a home--a home for our volunteers and supporters, our active duty and retired military friends, and most importantly a home away from home for our returning and wounded troops and their families.”

Jump on board Project Valour-IT

Seems it is all the rage to have an armed force Soldiers' Angels Valour-IT thermometer widget on a blog or website right now! It is not too late to join in, the fundraiser does not end until November 11th.

1.There are a variety of items up for Valour-IT auction. Go bid on one of them!

2. Go register your blog or website to join one of the 4 teams and get your own thermometer widget.

3. Make a donation - no matter how small. Remember 100% of proceeds go directly to purchase & delivery of technology to our wounded heroes.

4. Tell everyone you know about Project Valour-IT! Create a viral email or put on you Facebook wall.

5. Buy a fabulous gift for yourself or for someone for the holidays from one of the businesses supporting Valour-IT. Or buy register for the opportunity to win a beautiful Christmas quilt.

Though either Army, Air Force, Navy/Coast Guard, or Marines will be declared the winner of the competition and will gain bragging rights until next year, our wounded heroes are the winners! Go Project Valour-IT!

Minor babble and I Just Made This Customizable Proud Girlfriend of a Deployed Soldier shirt

I admit I've been distracted lately. Ok, maybe distracted is too weak a word. How about overwhelmed? Yeah. That fits better.

My "duties" as a military parent are not so obvious to others now that Mike is back in the US. However, I have many organizations that I am a member of that are not dependent on what country my son is in at the time. Sometimes, they seem to overrun my life and then when I try to weed through and thin out those that I could let go of with certainty that someone would fill the position...I am at a loss. It seems that many people are not so interested in helping those outside their immediate family circle. So I will continue to be sporadic here, and keep on chugging along in all my other endeavors. One thing that can not be let go any further though is my income. Gotta pay those bills, right? So today is dedicated to getting my store in order, as well as it can be. I'll try to space out my bombardment of new items so you aren't wondering whether I gave up the Army Mom gig and moved over to Retail Store Mom. :P

Thanks to everyone that has visited so far! I do appreciate you all!

And without further adieu.. here is my newest shirt...

Custom Girlfriend of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

Help US win $25,000 in Social Media contest

With just a couple of clicks, you can help Soldiers' Angels win a $25,000 social media "makeover!" Just type "Soldiers' Angels" into the box at the link and follow the directions.

Twitter, Facebook, and other interactive online platforms are one of the most potent ways to advocate, motivate, and spread the news these days. Soldiers' Angels is an Internet-based organization, and having an expert makeover on the social media side of things would help SA reach out even more effectively to inspire Americans to support our heroes and make sure "No Soldier Go Unloved."

Marcelle Turner, CEO of MindComet says, "Our hope is that the campaign will bring the participating organizations some national awareness through affiliation with the program, provide their constituents a focused mission to champion, and will ultimately result in a nationwide uplift in charitable giving driven by the power of social media."

The contest, created by interactive agency MindComet and dubbed CommuniCause, runs through July 31st. At the conclusion, a winner will be selected at random from the ten highest vote-getters. One vote per email is counted, but the length of the campaign gives supporters the opportunity to spread the word about the contest through email, personal websites, and relationships within their local community.

In addition to voting, supporters can place a badge on their website, or use Twitter to compile votes through "re-tweets" (@CommuniCause #cause2255). Click here and scroll down for details.

Competition began April 27, so Soldiers' Angels has some catching up to do! But we've got a great word-of-mouth "ground game," so the Top Ten isn't out of reach. Let's make it happen!

Army Marks 234 Years of Service, Sacrifice

Article brought to my attention by our wonderful Soldiers' Angels:

Army Marks 234 Years of Service, Sacrifice
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2009 – Citing the organization’s long history of selfless service and sacrifice, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III helped to commemorate the Army’s 234th birthday today at a Pentagon ceremony.


The U.S. Army officially celebrates its birthday June 14.

“This occasion marks the 234th year that ordinary men and women have become extraordinary citizens by answering the call of duty and placing the country in front of themselves,” Lynn said to an audience of soldiers and other servicemembers in the Pentagon courtyard. “I’m humbled by this long tradition of service, reaching back even to the founding of our nation.”

The Army tradition is expressed in a number of ways, he said, including in the actions and service of individual families.

Lynn recognized the Simpson family of Tennessee, whose generations of military service span nearly 100 years. Simpson family members served in Mexico, during World War II, in Vietnam and now in Afghanistan, he said.

“It’s this kind of service and dedication that’s the hallmark of the United States Army,” he added.

Lynn also acknowledged the Army as the world’s most formidable fighting force, and he credited family support as the dynamic that makes the Army such a strong, dependable organization. The Army couldn’t be the institution it is without the families, he said.

“Our soldiers, of course, do not bear the burdens of combat alone,” he continued. “When they sign up, they’re also volunteering their families. Army families are a constant source of support and inspiration, and in many ways, they’re the reasons our soldiers continue to serve.”

Today’s commemoration and cake cutting marks the start of a weeklong list of birthday activities all across the Army. The Army will hold its annual birthday ball here tomorrow, and on June 14, Army leadership will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Also, individual Army posts will celebrate with 10-mile birthday runs.

This year is Army Secretary Pete Geren’s final Army birthday celebration as the service’s top official. It’s important, he said, to take the time to reflect on the importance and the impact the U.S. Army has had on the history of the world.

“It’s important for an organization such as ours … to stop and reflect on its proud history,” Geren said. “It’s important to stop and think how different the history of the United States [and] the history of the world would be without the United States Army.”

Geren cited the importance of remembering the sacrifice made by previous generations of soldiers and military members. The battlefields may be different throughout time, he said, but the sacrifice is the same.

“Reflect on those who fought in Desert Storm and … those soldiers who stood all those years ago at Lexington and Concord,” he said. “Reflect on that wife, that husband who’s waiting home today for their loved ones to return, [because] they are living the same experiences and emotions a wife was living when her husband [or] her son faced down the British troops at Lexington and Concord.

“As we enjoy this week and blow out those candles and sing happy birthday,” he continued, “it’s so important to stop and think about what our soldiers have done. Think about how different today the world would be if it were not for the soldiers and families of the United States Army.”

A letter to Angels and all who love the troops...

Dear Friends,

It is heartbreaking when we lose a warrior on the battlefield, and so very shocking when a warrior who seems safe at home falls in an act of violence within our borders. As you probably know, in Arkansas this week, two soldiers who had just begun their service were attacked by a fellow American. Soldiers' Angels is already working hard to give what comfort we can to the families, recruiters, and others involved--please read on to see how you can support them and their families and friends.

At 23 years of age, William Long was a bit older than the average recruit, but he had obviously decided to stand up and be counted as a defender of his country during wartime. Perhaps he made his decision with the example of his father--a former Marine--in mind. Fresh out of boot camp, he was back in his hometown to help the soldiers who had recruited him by sharing his experience of becoming a soldier with friends and acquaintances. Less is known about Quinton Ezeagwula at this time, who fortunately was only wounded and is expected to recover. But the same can be said for him--he had the courage and patriotism to volunteer for the military during wartime, and he had been selected to share his story. Both of them had been recruited by soldiers who worked in that recruiting center.

These two great young men and the recruiters who signed them up are just a sample of the heroes who have stood up to protect us, whose stories are not broadcast so loudly see days. But they are all still out there, serving quietly far away or right here at home as they keep the commitment they made when they signed up for military service in wartime. And they need to know Americans are supporting them. In the middle of this heartbreak, we can stand up and show our support and solidarity with these heroes. If you would like to write a note of encouragement and appreciation to the recruiters in the station where the shooting occurred, please send a card or letter to the following:

Army-Navy Career Center
U.S. Army Recruiting
9112 N Rodney Parham Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72205

You can also show your support right in your neighborhood, as other recruiting stations of all branches are certainly feeling sympathy and concern for their brothers in Arkansas. In this time when the actions of our tremendous servicemen and women aren't always getting the attention they deserve, a thank you and a small gift is a great way to let them know that we remember them and are grateful for their service. Try dropping by your local recruiting station with a dozen donuts and some gourmet grounds to stock the office coffee pot, or maybe have a couple pizzas delivered and bring some sodas and cups/plates. If you've got kids, cards and drawings from them would certainly be appreciated. Recruiting is a difficult job even in the best of circumstances, and these days taking the time to thank them for their hard work is a great way to show your support!

More than ever, we need to be sure the brave men and women of the American military know they have our support and undying gratitude. Let's stand up and shower them in love and appreciation!

Wingtip-to-Wingtip,

Soldiers' Angels

To Make Every Day Memorial Day

Being the parent of a Soldier, I spend a portion of every day considering the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. I realized this is probably not normal last night when I reflected on an entire day of Memorial Day fanfare and the hoopla and thought, "This is a one time a year event for some of these people."

I know this might be hard to understand if you don't have a loved one in the military, but a lot of Military family members live Memorial Day everyday. We don't have speeches and stories and 21-gun salutes daily, but we ride the emotional roller coaster every day. We consider the horrors of war and the possibilities our loved ones face daily. We try to keep our enthusiasm for our Armed Forces in check when talking to them because we know that our loved ones feel like they are just doing their job, doing what is right, and don't understand why it's not what everyone would do. We can appreciate what our Soldiers can't see...what it costs them emotionally, what it costs their families. We can feel the overwhelming joy in every homecoming we read about. Our hearts break when we read about a Soldier that won't be coming home. We pray that the wounded warriors will heal and wonder if we could ever be as strong as their families appear to be. We are grateful for every Military family that came before us. We know the sacrifices that they have made, and we know the fear they have endured, the pain that can't be shared...except with another military family member.

Memorial day to me is not another holiday, it's not a reason to BBQ...it's a day to share what I live every day. It's a chance to show those tears of gratitude when addressing a retired Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, Coast Guard...it's a chance to let my heart overflow with gratitude and not worry who sees me crying this time because 1/2 of the crowd is also walking around with tears in their eyes. It's a day to let my kids know we aren't the only ones who worry and love someone who values our country and it's freedom more than their own life.

While I don't wish the moments of being scared upon anyone...I do wish that everyone could take a moment of their day, every day, to be grateful for our Armed Forces and everything they have done for us. When you pass an American Flag flying...pause and think of what it took to keep her flying and what she stands for. When you pass a car with an Army, Marine or other bumpersticker or decal...remember that they are part of the sacrifice, whether they are the Soldier, the parent, the wife, the child...and say a "thank you" even if they can't hear you. When you see a Soldier, say "Thanks". If they are in line at the checkout, pay for their coffee, their dinner, their book...it's the least we can do for the freedoms we enjoy.

Operation Gratitude

***Please join Soldiers Angels on Facebook

Soldiers' Angels is PROUD to support Operation Gratitude in their efforts to gain the most funding possible in this fan competition sponsored by Target. All funds they receive will be used to pay the $11 postage and shipping costs on the 100,000+ Care Packages they are sending this year ($1.1 Million).

But even more important than the dollars, this is an opportunity for all of us in the Military Support community to make a loud statement to the entire nation, and especially to our men and women in uniform, that we appreciate and respect our Military and will stand up and be counted for them!

The link on Facebook

You do not have to be a FAN of Target to vote--- so VOTE OPERATION GRATITUDE today (and tomorrow, and the next....until May 25.) Like Soldiers' Angels- Operation Gratitude does not rely on paid advertising, mailing lists or hired staff--They count on YOU--dedicated and patriotic supporters--to get the job done.

For more information on Soldiers' Angels please see our website
For more information on Operation Gratitude please see their website

Here's how to vote:*
1. Click on this link: Bullseye Gives
(If you receive this email at work and are unable to access Facebook, please forward this email to your personal email account.)

2. If you are already a member of Facebook, you will be prompted to log-in. Once logged in, VOTE for Operation Gratitude!

3. If you are not yet a member of Facebook:
a. Click on the green sign-up button in the upper left corner and complete the sign up form with your name, email address,** a birthdate and a secret password.
b. Once your account is created, click again on this link: Bullseye Gives -VOTE

4. Return to the Bullseye Gives page every day through May 25 to vote each day!

Remember: Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to preserve our freedom TO VOTE! You can thank them right now with YOUR VOTE!

708 Soldiers Waiting To Be Adopted!

Adopt a Soldier today by visiting SoldiersAngels.org

Military Family Members and Anticipatory Grief

Wow. There's a name for it! And now I feel like I can attack it, if I know that it's there.

I mean, I KNEW it was there because of how everyone I know looks at me. Like they wish they could say or do something to make me better but they are afraid that no matter what they say/do...I'll start leaking again.

I hate that I make others feel uncomfortable around me when they only want me to be me again.

I opened GoArmyParents.com today and found this article posted and thought, "AHA! IT'S NOT JUST ME! I'M NOT GOING INSANE!!!"

So since it's not just me and I thought others might not be aware that THEY aren't the only ones going through it, I thought I'd share:

Anticipatory Grief by Kristin Henderson

While my husband, a Navy chaplain, was in Iraq with the Marines, I imagined a knock at my door. I imagined uniformed Marines telling me that my husband was dead. I imagined the funeral. I did this regularly until my husband was safely home in my arms.

I thought I was the only one with such a morbid imagination until I began researching my book about military families, "While They're at War." Chaplain Jeffrey Watters described how he and other chaplains on Fort Bragg, NC, had noticed a wave of grief sweeping through the families on the homefront.

"They were exhibiting the same symptoms as those who are grieving over a loved one with a terminal illness," Watters told me. Then he listed the symptoms.

My mouth dropped open. I'd had many of those symptoms during my husband's deployment. I had cried in the shower, sometimes felt like I couldn't get enough air, and one day in church had an almost uncontrollable urge to get up and run out. Not only did I not know all this craziness had a name -- anticipatory grief -- I didn't know there were techniques to cope with it.

It turns out that anticipatory grief is common among homefront families during a wartime deployment. We're so afraid of losing the one we love that our bodies start to react as if they're already dead. The symptoms include:
-- tightness in the throat or chest
-- shortness of breath
-- sensitivity to loud noises
-- forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
-- agitation and restlessness, like an anxiety attack
-- extreme hunger or lack of appetite
-- crying jags
-- headaches
-- insomnia
-- drug use or excessive drinking

Grief is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a normal human emotion, and grieving people typically move through five phases: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance and hope. Not everyone experiences all these phases, and they may not occur in that order. But any of those responses are normal, even if the one you love is alive and kicking.

Continue reading the rest of the article here...

Best Phone Call Ever and A Call For Action

This is a pretty cool article I recommend reading. :)

New Deployed Soldier Shirt Designs for Aunt, Uncle, Mother-In-Law, and Father-In-Law

Custom Proud Aunt of a Deployed Soldier by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Uncle of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Mother In Law of a Deployed Soldier by WendyMilonas

Custom Father In Law of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

I'm So Grateful For Every Chance I Get To Speak To Mike

So I have no idea if or when he's left/leaving. I'm fine with that. I was a bit concerned that he was getting a bit burned out by the wait, and then I was wondering if the wait was for the best as he was getting really hostile.

It's hard for a parent to watch their child, even an adult child, go through tough emotional challenges...and not be able to understand what they are battling on the inside. I mean, I can't even begin to understand what it means to him to be deployed. He seems gung-ho to go most times but then he's also pissed at the whole world at the same time. He's been pissed at the world for a while, before the Army, so that could be coming back now that OSUT is over and he has more freedom to be himself.

I just wish I could know that he is happy with the career he has chosen.

Our conversation today was much more positive than any we've had lately. It made me feel happy that he seemed so positive. It made my heart smile. :)

I also had to realize that every conversation I have with him better be appreciated to the fullest extent, as it could be our last one for a while. So while I was taking his venting sessions as a gift, the talk we had today was a special gift and I'm very glad for having had the opportunity to talk for so long.

I sent off an email to his FRG, he has no idea what he's supposed to do to get me access to his FRG so I'm going to see how far I can get on my own. This could be fun. :P At least I still have contact with him if he needs to help.

Over 900 Soldiers Waiting To Be Adopted Today!

Soldiers' Angels hero adoption waiting list is over 900 today. All these heroes waiting to be adopted are currently serving overseas, away from their families and could use some additional support form you. Won't you please consider adopting a hero today? All is takes is the commitment from you to write a letter a week and send one small care package a month during the length of the deployment. To adopt a hero, click here now.

If adoption does not suit you and you would like to get involved with Soldiers' Angels, there are many opportunities for everyone to get involved. Just click here to find out more.

~May no soldier go unloved~

My New "Custom Proud Mom of a Deployed Soldier Shirt"

There are a bunch of these, so expect to see them when I'm not so tired. :)

I created these yesterday and thought I'd share. They are customizable if you check out the back (click the shirt to go to the page with more details). There is also a non customizable version without the back (makes it a few dollars cheaper) and I'm working on some that can print on white shirts, since white shirts are about $5 -$8 cheaper than the dark shirts.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome!!

Send a holiday message to the troops

Send a holiday message to the troops on Moment of Thanks. Let's give our family serving abroad some cheer and send them a message or a photo to put a smile on their faces…and let them know we're thinking about them this holiday season. Go to Moment of Thanks and share.

"America's Favorite Mom" Plays Santa for the Troops

Patti Patton-Bader, founder of Soldiers' Angels, has given her prizes from the America's Favorite Mom contest to service members and their families.

New York, NY (December 16, 2008) -- America's Favorite Mom played Santa for a Day in New York, using the prizes she won to bring an early Christmas to military personnel and their families. Patti Patton-Bader, named America's Favorite Mom last Mother's Day, received the remainder of her prizes in New York last week, which she immediately donated in support of her heroes.

Such generosity is typical of Ms. Bader, who is president of Soldiers' Angels, a military support nonprofit she founded soon after her soldier son was deployed to Iraq in 2003. Five years later, it is now a volunteer-based organization operating over 30 different teams and projects in support of America's military, veterans, and military families around the world. "Soldiers' Angels is proud to acknowledge the continued generosity of its founder, Patti Patton Bader, through her donation of the proceeds and prizes she received from the America's Favorite Mom contest," said Soldiers' Angels Treasurer Mark Concialdi.

Redbook magazine interviewed Ms. Bader in New York at a private lunch with editor Stacy Morrison before she received her final prize of a shopping spree. At Ms. Bader's direction, the shopping spree was spent buying Christmas gifts for children of wounded soldiers living in Fisher Houses while their parents recover at nearby military hospitals.

The cash grand prize was distributed as a lump sum of $150,000, which Ms. Bader donated to Soldiers' Angels this summer. She has also donated the set of household appliances she received to nonprofit Homes for Our Troops, where they will be added to a home to be constructed for a quadriplegic wounded soldier. In a recent email, the soldier described his reaction. "We are indebted to you incredibly for your donation of those fantastic appliances. Your generosity is truly humbling," he wrote.

But Ms. Bader herself is humble about the experience. "The best part of winning was being able to give the prizes to America's heroes--our soldiers and their families. There are so many wonderful mothers in this country, and I was just glad to have the opportunity to shine the light on our military and the importance of supporting them in this time of war. I am so grateful to Stuart and Linda Resnick of Teleflora for developing the America's Favorite Mom contest," she said. The individualized, diamond-encrusted necklace declaring Ms. Bader "America's Favorite Mom" was donated to the Soldiers' Angels Museum, which documents the development of Soldiers' Angels and responses from Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen it supports. Ms. Bader was named America's Favorite Mom in a primetime NBC television show on Mother's Day 2008, sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond.

Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 626-529-5114. Tax ID# 20-05834