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The veterans, citizens and businesses of South Florida (Monroe,
Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties) are grateful for the
sacrifice our National Guardsmen and Reservists’ families are
making on behalf of America.
In appreciation, Operation Brave Kids was founded in January
2003 as a Florida non-profit organization by John Ghee, a
Lighthouse Point/Port St. Lucie accountant/business appraiser.
We have taken 250,000 National Guard and Reserve troops from
their civilian jobs and sent them to war…but we have forgotten
something…the thousands of children who are suddenly missing a
parent. We have helped over 1,500 effected kids in South Florida
and will continue until our local troops return home.
Pictured above is SSG John Adams (FL National Guard) and
his mother and wife, Summer Adams, receiving his Purple
Heart from President Bush. We continue to support the Adams
family with your help. Summer sends her thanks at
"Moms Say Thanks."
Unlike active duty military children, these kids are not used
to a parent leaving on short notice. Making matters worse, the
support system of a military base is non-existent for their
caregiver.
Operation Brave Kids began as a means to provide children of
a "called up" soldier with a $25 gift certificate for every
month their Mom or Dad is off defending our country and us.
These gifts may be used to purchase toys, clothes or, in many
cases, food by their caregiver. The sad truth is that most of
these families are not able to cope with the gap between
civilian pay (and expenses) to a lesser military pay.
Operation Brave Kids has also opened a box of needs that is
growing daily. Unable to meet monthly expenses, assets are sold,
relatives are making gifts and loans and many moms are getting
second jobs. One mother wrote, "I can’t tell you how much
we appreciate the extra money to buy diapers for our infant, or
just a few things for the household."
But perhaps the most telling event came when a young mother
of two infants asked for her gift certificates to be changed
from toys to food. Her teary request was followed with the
statement, "Thank you so much. When my husband comes home,
we will pay you back." They would. No protests, no calls to
politicians, no teary interviews…they just accept their plight
with dignity.
Operation Brave Kids is making a difference for hundreds of
families, but we need more support. As a community, we should
ask ourselves the basic question of why the loud and angry get
so much attention and the meek and caring get so little? Perhaps
it is our job to find them and offer our help.
Generous corporations, organizations and foundations have
adopted an entire platoon (30), company (50) or battalion (80)
of Brave Kids. To help us, please consider supporting a Brave
Kid with $300, enough to fund one child for a year deployment.
100% of your contribution will go to these children!
All operating expenses are paid by John and Dorothy Ghee...and
yes, we are qualified as a 501c3 charity.
The Brave Kids Thank You!
Read thank you to friends who
made a generous contribution to help this family get their roof
replaced.
CONTACT US!
772-380-9997 / 772-380-9902 - fax
Site
last updated:
06/27/08 / Visitors:
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