KY9/12 Provides A Lot of Christmas Cheer

I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want. The government cannot force me to be charitable.

The Kentucky 9/12 Project has been fortunate enough to team up with Operation Homefront a local nonprofit organization that helps Military Families that are left behind, care packages for the moral of those deployed, and services for wounded warriors when they return. For the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season KY9/12 participated in a special care package collection, adopting and entire field artillery unit hoping to provide to them a little Christmas cheer while serving apart from their families. Some members of this unit are serving their first tour, have taken unscathed direct fire at their barracks, and have also recently endured a loss of a fellow comrade. It was our deepest desire to use this time and our resources during the Thanks / Giving season and make a small sacrifice for those that sacrifice for us.

What happened through this process was KY 9/12 was touched and learned a valuable lesson about ourselves. Faith – Be honest I sent out blanket e-mails not sure who was at the other end and not sure if anybody reads them much less if anyone would respond. This was the hope of things on the evidence of things yet to be seen. Hope – Was the pride as people responded and joy that the wishes of these soldiers would be fulfilled. Learned that faith can be rewarded and 9/12ers should never be underestimated. Charity - KY 9/12 Project learned through this project is how charity can be accomplished the good ole fashion way through the spirit of giving freely without dictation of who is most deserving.

As a statewide initiative, we spent the entire month of November and sent out e-mails and made a call to action to all 9/12 groups in Kentucky not really sure of the response we would receive. We were truly touched by the hearts and desire of 9/12ers to give. Businesses stepped up and offered their places as drop off sites. People came out and gave bags and bags of donations and Christmas gifts. One family gave an entire new circular saw when the troop was only requesting a new saw blade. Shannon Buzard, the KY9/12 coordinator for this donation drive, ended up taking an SUV full of items and drove four hours to the military base and had the honor and humble responsibility of presenting these generous donations directly to wife’s and families of the military troop KY9/12 had adopted.

There are no words to express the gratitude of knowing KY9/12 were able to serve and give back to those who sacrifice greatly not just for our country, but also for others. Special thanks to Shannon for putting this together and thank you to all that gave; and thank you for the personal lesson in faith, hope, and charity.