November 16, 2009

For Immediate Release
November 16, 2009

SKIP President

(339) 788-9668
s.spoerke[at]SKIPcares.org

Download the Press Release (PDF)

Holiday Care Packages For Our Troops May Be SKIP's Last

Brockton, Mass. - In 5 years, Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. (SKIP) has grown from a sister sending care packages to her brother, to one of America's leading organizations supporting thousands of deployed troops with fun–focused care packages every year. With barely enough money and supplies left to send a small box of entertainment to the 825 deployed troops currently supported by SKIP, the organization may not see 2010 but the troops will receive something for the holidays.

We are honored and very proud to support our deployed troops. We never wanted to have a discussion about closing down, unfortunately there wasn't a bail out plan for nonprofit organizations like this one, said , SKIP’s president and first care package recipient. But, America can't stop supporting our troops just because we've had a bad day, week, month or year. The morale and well–being of our troops is very important to mission success, and SKIP care packages do great things for morale and well–being.

The U.S. military members supported by SKIP are from across America and all walks of life. Many of them do not receive much mail from home; some of them don't receive any mail from home unless it's a care package packed and shipped by SKIP volunteers. SKIP is an all–volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to making sure that every deployed military member who requests care packages gets care packages.

The care packages SKIP sends are unique in the sense that they are packed with 100 percent fun in mind. We switched to fun-focused care packages late in 2008, by overwhelming request from the troops, said Spoerke. One deployed Marine even said, 'you can only have so much fun with a bar of soap.' And the troops really do love these packages, which makes what SKIP does that much more important.

To allow SKIP to continue this mission, the organization needs ongoing support. Each care package costs SKIP $11 to ship, each care package contains approximately $50 worth of entertainment, and each care package shipped means a smile somewhere overseas.

This is SKIP's curtain call, but with your support, more performances will take place for the troops who support and defend our freedom. Without that support, December will be SKIP's final shipment. Your immediate help is requested and needed to ensure that SKIP can continue the valued and honorable mission of supporting our troops.

SKIP has recently stopped accepting new care package requests, however the organization volunteers are hopeful of a fast recovery. On the SKIP website, a list has been posted of what's needed if this mission can continue.
Learn how you can help today: http://www.SKIPcares.org/support

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