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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 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 over 700 effected kids in
South Florida.
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!.
The Brave Kids Thank You!
CONTACT US!
954-783-5055 / 954-783-2166 (fax)
JohnGhee@aol.com
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