BOOKS FOR TROOPS
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There have been so many individual donors, organizations, companies services who have donated books, comics, money, and considerable time and effort to make Books For Troops, Inc. able to continue and even grow in the past three + years. We are now incorporated and listed as a 501(c)(e) non-taxable charitable organization.
We are reaching troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, and Korea, as well as many of the naval ships. We are also sending to 18 VA hospitals across the US where our troops are recovering. Finally, we are sending books to the families of our troops and children's books to the deployed parents to be read to their children via Skype or to be recorded on tape to be sent back home to their children as bed time stories to be read in their own voice to their children.
All this has happened because thousands have believed in our mission to improve the quality of life of those in war zones with books. That it has been a success is evidenced form the countless letters from the soldiers and families. Please see "Letters from Soldiers" and "Letters from Families" and you will see the result of your support. Not only the books themselves, but the message of support and care that each book represents, reminds our soldiers that they are far from forgotten.
It took much more than a village to make this happen and we would like to name as many people as possible that created this "village" of good will of and support. We would like to be able to list the individual donors, but because of their numbers, we are afraid many would be omitted. However, know that you are the foundation of our organization and you are the top of the list of people we thank.
In addition I will attempt to list all the companies, organizations and services that have also made possible all those thousands of books and comics that have helped our troops forget for awhile the life they live while sacrificing for us to keep us free. Names/organizations are listed alphabetically.
Our "village" keeps getting bigger and bigger helping us to reach even more troops with our message of support and care.
Kathleen and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Do it a Third Time as Promised.
Kathleen and her husband delivered over 3000 books this year and a very generous check for postage that far outdid the first two successful drives that she and her fellow workers have done for us in the past two years. The books and the postage money will once again make possible boxes and boxes of quality books to be sent to the troops who welcome the escape and the entertainment they provide. Kathleen, you are truly making a huge difference in the quality of lives of our troops by showing them annually that they are well-remembered and appreciated by many. Books for Troops is so grateful to have you support our mission. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts, Ellen, Joanne, Lisa, Barbara, Dale, Nabeel, Lisa, Chris
THANK YOU TO:
All individual donors of books, comics, and monetary donations & services
Albany Broadcasting
Alexander Hamlet, Author
Aliperti, Michael and Kristine
All Saints Academy
All Saints Catholic Academy (Spirits Day)
Allerdice Hardware
American Legion Post, Post 1450, Halfmoon
Amazon
Anscombe, Donna
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco
Aw Yeah Comics, Skokie, Illinois
Berry, Jessica & Jerry
Baird, Sue
Marjorie Bates
Phil Barrett
Richard Behrens
Elizabeth Bitner
Bates, Marjorie
Ballston Spa Schools
Debbie Bedford
Richard & Patricia Behrens
Bella Napoli Bakery
Brian Barton- Home Electronic Services
Beza, Debbie & Bruce
Jen Blood
Claude Bonnier
Books B Gone
Book Barn, Latham
Boy Scouts of America
Breslin, Paul
British American
Brown, Greg
Burnt Hills Volunteer Fire Department
Arlen Bunnecke
Calvary United METHODIST church
Comic Depot, Saratoga Springs
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Aileen Campbell
Caestrati, Joe
Robert Carson
Elizabeth Carloni
Leo Carroll
Catholic Daughters of America
CBS Corporation
Christ Lutheran Church in Reading, PA
Clifton Park Elks
Citizens Bank, Clifton Park
College of St. Rose
Pat Collins
CSR Alumni Relations
Comix Gallery
Community News
Community Service Committee Delmar Progress Club
Community Work Order Progrram, Saratoga County
Congressman Chris Gibson
Corpus Christi Church
Maggie Newland Conroy
Country Drive-In Restaurant, Clifton Park
William and Allison Danahar
Linda Delfs
Department of Motor Vehicle offices in Saratoga County
3N Document & Destruction Co.
Dunkin' Donuts
Elizabeth & Sheila Dwyer
Jean Dwyer
Eastline Books, Clifton Park
Earthworld Comics
Eleanor & Leimat and Friends of Rae Jan Library
Ellis Hospital, Schenectady
Federal Express
Fonda, Betty, Claude Bonner
Forts Ferry Elementary School
Flynn, Mae
James and Barbara Finnegan
Fit For Life, Clifton Park
Bette Fonda and Claude Fonnier
Fox 23 News
General Electric, Research
GE Foundation
CDR Daniel Gage
Aline Galgay
Jerry and Judith Gerwitz
Alex Gerage and Aw Yeah comics
Hamlin
Keezletown Ruritan Club, Inc
Paul and Ellen M. Kierman-Gerber
Patricia Giglio-CDPC
Global Foundries, Malt
Teresa Fugazzi
Owen Greenspan
Hannaford Supermarkets
Harbor House Fish Fry Restaurant, Clifton Park
Marlene Hickey
Bob and Paulette Hinds
Hoosick Falls Elementary-Mrs. Patten's First Graders
Jim Barrett Beat Shop
Fonda, Betty
Kate Frederick
Gregory and Judith Gerwitz
Grecian Gardens
Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 American Legion Auxiliary
Karen Bobo Book Drive
Kathleen Hartley Book Drive
Hiadum, Linda
Ellen Keegan
Keezletown Ruritan Club
Kelly, Maureen
Ruth Kelleher
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
Kurt Kamm, Author
Knights of Columbus, Saratoga Springs
Pamela Lacy
Sally Laing
Latham Colonie Columbiettes
Latham Post Office, Rte. 155
Latham Ridge Elementary School
Leupold, Deborah
Lieberman, Sherry
Lindsey's Country Store
Loudonville Presbyterian Church
Loudonville Elemntary
Luebbers Family
Mabey's Storage
Maestas, Herman
Marie Morrison Outreach Program
Maguire, Judy
Martel, Eileen
Kathy Marchione
Mechanicville Elementary School
Mohawk Squardron 1450
Mom's Club
Bill Morrison
Nancy Murdoch
National Bank of Scotia and Employees
Nemeth, Kim
Newbury Comics and Duncan Brown
Bob Neville
Ed Newland
Niskayuna Reformed Church
Norampac Boxes
North Colonie School District
Linda Novak
Oak Brook Commons Apartments, Clifton Park
Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc.
Operation Paperback
Lucille Ouimet
Joseph Palko
Pennysaver Weekly Paper
Philips, Eric
John and Mary Pickett
Pittstown UMW
Pitney Bowes Software
Lisa Plummer
Print Productions
Fran Porter
Price Chopper Supermarkets
Print Graphics
Plummer & Wigger, LLC
Pyle, Gregory
Terry Pyles
Queensbury Senior Citizens
Queen Anne Senior Citizens Club
Rana Hughes Book Drive
Red Robin Restaurants in Clifton Park
Red Robin Restaurants in Latham
Regal Cinema, Clifton Park
Naomis Ricci
Judith Ricci
Danielle Reich
Rider, Ray
Donna Riley
Jean Roos
Rob Roos
William Ross
Round Lake Methodist Church
Jane Rotrosen Agency
Route 84 Lumber
Donald Ruberg
David Rushman
Karen Sapone
Anna Stay
Sandwich Shop in Clifton Park
Saratoga Elementary Schools
Saratoga Library
Saratoga Race Track
Saratogian Newspaper
Schenectady Gazette Newspaper
SCA Tissue
Scotia Rotary
Shaker High School Book Drive, Latham
Shenendehowa High School East, Clifton Park
Siebert, Wendy
Siena College, Loudonville
Smith, Carolyn
Smith, Donna
Patricia Smith
Spotlight Newspapers
St. Jude's School, Wynantskil
Stah
Stanton, Janet
Starbuck's, Clifton Park
Anna Stay
Kelly Strack
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Strano
Peter and Gail Swoto
Chery Teres
Total Facility Solutions
Times Union Newspaper
Town of Clifton Park, Enduring Freedom
Town of Halfmoon
Town of Clifton Park
Troy, New York, Mayor's Office
Nancy Tudor
United Parcel Service
United States Post Office, Clifton Park
Upstate NY Chapter of the 10th MINT DIV
Voorheesville Central High School
Walmart Supermarkets
Waterford Farmer's Market
West Crescent Fire Department
Irene Welkley
Joanne and William Wildy
William Sandford Library
Matthew Wolfe
Wood Road Elementary School
Williams, Alana
Upstate NY Chapter
Usborne Books
Nadine Yater
Joseph Zaloga Unit 1520
There are many more supporters that have not been named due to the volume of donations we receive. We want to thank every single person who has helped us continue our work for the past 4+ years. If your name or organization was inadvertently not listed please contact me at [email protected]. and it will be put on right away. Ellen Keegan
3N Document and Destruction Co. who donates their services for our recycling needs.
Print Productions for doing our quality printing at very reduced prices.
Oak Brook Commons who donates two of our garages used for the storage of our books
Normapac Co. who donates all our shipping boxes.
SCA tissue who has provided rolls of toilet paper for 2 locations of deployed troops who have none. They have just donated 7/2/14 two hundred more rolls of toilet paper for our troops.
3m FOR DONATING OVER $1000 DOLLARS WORTH OF 3M PRODUCTS INCLUDING OVER 200 ROLLS OF PACKING TAPE, several boxes of bandages and gauze for the troops, stick it notes, page dividers, velcro binders, etc. The tape alone will save us hundreds of dollars in packing expenses.
Grassroots Givers donated several puzzle books and chapsticks.
US POST OFFICE, CLIFTON PARK, RTE. 9 who takes care of all our mailing needs with humor, professionalism, and respect. The only post office we trust with our precious cargo.
U S post Office donate postage money.
Albany Broadcasting who has donated our large, heated, air-conditioned, street entrance office in Latham, making our life so much easier, more comfortable, brighter and more spacious. However, we also wish to thank the Town of Halfmoon for providing us with a home for 6 years when no one else offered. Unfortunately we grew and their space couldn't nor could they remove the stairs that we climbed lugging heavy boxes of books to and fro. We were treated at all times with respect, kindness and care.
Colonel Rider's family has donated several boxes of beautifully bound books concerning all aspects of World War II which were a part of his personal collection. Several of the collection contained very graphic photographs of the Great War and its horrors. There were excellent biographies of many of the well-known names of the period and in that war, including President Roosevelt. There was also included books on WWI. The collection is priceless and of museum quality & his family felt it would be a great tribute to their father, who could no longer house the books, to give them to his beloved troops. They are now in the library of the Oklahoma VA hospital where our most needy troops, the disabled and wounded, are recovering. I asked his son, Doug, to write a brief biography of Col. Rider. This is what he wrote:
"Col (ret) Ray L. Rider graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962 and entered the Air Force later that year. first assignment was to the AF Weapons Laboratory at Kirkland AFB, NM. While there he was selected to be a pilot and attended Undergraducate Pilot Training at Webb, AFB, TX. Over the course of his career, he flew the F-100, F-4, and F-16, including a one year tour in Viet Nam flying the F-100. He is a graduate of Air War College. His command assignments included Squadron Commander of the 612 TFS at Torrejon AB in Spain, Director of Operations at Zagagoza AB in Spain, Base Commander at Helinikon AB in Greece, and Base Commander at Lowry AFB, Co. Col. Rider retired from the AF in January 1992. He is currently living in Centennial CO. Congratulations Col. Rider on your dedication to our country and thank you for your priceless gift and legacy to our troops."
Many thanks to the family of Colonel Ray L. Rider!
If your name or organization was inadvertently omitted in the list above, please contact us at [email protected] Your contribution is important to us and we would like to acknowledge it.
The book drive, for the month of August in 2013, her second, brought in 3,467 books including hard-covers, soft-covers, children's books, puzzle books, puzzles, plus $200 for postage. In 2014 Kathleen not only topped her number of books, but brought in over $600 in money for postage. 2016, the Porsche of book drives brought in 2000 books and almost $2000 in postage. What an incredible effort and what wonderful support and care for the troops. Thank you from the troops and from Books for Troops. In total Kathleen in 3 years raised enough books and money to send 284 boxes of books. What a huge thank you to send our troops. We are so grateful for your dedication, hard work and support.
A TRIBUTE TO THE OLD PEOPLE
This country needs old people with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country, and decent values. We need them NOW more than ever before.
.Old people are easy to spot at sporting events or any other events where the national anthem is being sung because they remove their hats, stand at attention, know all the words and believe in them and sing them proudly and loudly without embarassment.
.Old people remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Franklin Roosevelt, Guadalcanal and Hitler. They remember the race to space, the atomic Age, the Peace Corps.They remember Kennedy's first inaugural address when their youngest President, John F. Kennedy challenged "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." They mourned the assassination of Kennedy and how it brought the entire country and most of the world into weeks of mourning. They experienced the atomic Age, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Jet Age, and the landing on the moon. They remember the 50 plus Peacekeeping missions from 1945-2005, not to mention the horror of VietNam and the treatment of the troops when they came home. They also remember the thousands of caskets draped in flags televised almost nightly and mourned. Many of the "old people were actual participants and some finally tell their stories with anguish and tears.
.If you bump into an old person on the sidewalk, he/she will apologize. If you pass an old person on the street, he will nod or tip his hat to a lady. Old people hold the door for a lady, lets the lady enter first, and always lets her walk on the inside so that he can protect her.
.O;d people get upset with swear words especially in front of children or women. They don't like it in print or on film as well
.Old people have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it is about their children, grandchildren, a good friend or their spouse.
.It is the old people who always say thank you for the littlest favor or gift often with a nice call or card.
.It is the old person who takes the time to really listen to you.
THANK GOD FOR OLD PEOPLE FOR REMINDING US OF WHAT CAME BEFORE AND WHAT SHOULD
BE PRESERVED TO KEEP OUR NATION NOT ONLY FREE, BUT CIVILIZED.
It is while I read this description of old people, I think of the military who seem to represent the same values, work ethics, sense of responsibility, knowledge and pride in their country's history with courage and personal integrity. They love their country as "the old people" enough to sacrifice their lives to preserve it.While they are nfirsthand witnesses to the wars of the past, they are primary witnesses to the horrors of recent wars that defies definition, the rules of war, and any kind of humanity. Yet, they continue to fight for the same freedom that was began at Lexington. Thank you for the Old People who remind us of our heritage and for the military who help preserve it.
A Donation from CBS Corporation-their letter to Books for Troops
"This past Wednesday, a group of our employees joined in the CBS Law Department's "Brown Bag Lunch for Charity" to support Books for Troops' efforts in raising awareness in backing our troops in the Middle East.
We are so happy to donate the enclosed books, DVDs and playing cards as well as handwritten notes of encouragement for US deployed in worn torn areas. This event will be posted on our Facebook page and will be included in our CBSupdate newsletter in support of veterans. " Richard Bobgiono
(All of the items donated by CBS were included in the first mailing of the New Year. I am sure the boxes were met with smiles that a company as widely known as CBS remembered them. Thank you CBS. Maybe you can be an example to the other major TV stations to send similar care packages to the troops.) There are several lists on the internet on what to send or not send. If you do want to send books, paperbacks are preferred since they are easily carried. Sci/fi & Fantasy as well as Westerns are very popular. In fact we can't keep enough of them on our shelves.