Tampa - With thousands of moms and dads serving in the
Persian Gulf, many children are left behind with one parent.
It’s no easy job, emotionally, or financially. So volunteers
with Operation Brave Heart are helping by raising money for $25
gift certificates to stores like Publix, Winn Dixie and
Wal-Mart.
Doug McNamee, an area sales manager with pharmaceutical company
AstraZeneca, helped start Operation Brave Kids in Tampa Bay
after one of his co-workers was sent to the Persian Gulf with an
Army Reserve unit.
“It doesn’t matter what anyone’s view is on the war,
whether it’s a good thing or not a good thing, it’s the
families that are really impacted,” McNamee said. So far, more
than 80 children are receiving gift certificates each month.
McNamee expects that number to grow to more than 300 children.
The not-for-profit organization has raised more than $11,000 so
far, but needs more than $90,000 to provide monthly gift
certificates to 300 children for one year. If you’d like to
help with Operation Brave Kids, call 1-800-569-8300, or visit www.operationbravekids.org.
