Citizens Small Acts of Kindness Made A Big Impact

UPDATE: Baby Kailyn now has her helmet! 

(NEWTON) – SGT William Girouard joined the National Guard after the terrorist attacks on 9/11.   This time when he deployed, he had to leave behind his 6-month old daughter who was in need of medical care.  Only a week before he deployed, William and his wife Michelle learned that the cost for the helmet device needed for their daughter Kailyn would not be covered by TRICARE, the Department of Defense health provider.

“When we learned about baby Kailyn we had to do something immediately,” said SGM Jim Kelly (Ret.), Iraq Combat Veteran and President of the Military Friends Foundation, a local non-profit that supports Guard, Reserve and Families of Fallen Service Members.   “It is unacceptable to have a soldier be overseas and have this weighing on his mind.”

“Brave men and women in uniform like Sergeant Girouard put their lives on the line day in and day out to keep our country safe,” said Senator John Kerry.  “The very least we need to do is make sure their families back home, who already sacrifice so much, receive the health care services they need. I’m grateful to Military Friends for answering our call and for making this all possible.”

The helmet cost over $2500 and payment was required before baby Kailyn could even be fitted for the device.  Military Friends Foundation was able to cover the entire cost because of generous donations made through Question 32E – Mass. Military Family Relief Fund – on the Massachusetts State Tax Form.  After 9/11, the state legislature created this voluntary contribution box to recognize the service and sacrifices on military families and enable taxpayers to easily support military families.  The Military Friends administers this Fund and works with local municipalities to offer support to service members.

Representative John Lawn and Alderman Allan “Jay” Ciccone joined the Military Friends Foundation to present an emergency grant to Girouard family.

“When I found out the Military Friends was going to support our daughter I didn’t know what to say – for a parent all you want to do is take the best care of your child that you possibly can – Military Friends let us do that,” said Michelle Girouard.  “I want to thank everyone who supports the Military Friends Foundation programs – they truly make a difference to military families.”

“Given the sacrifices that SGT Girouard and our other service men and women are making while fighting the Global War on Terrorism, it is imperative that elected officials and organizations like the Military Friends Foundation do all they can to take care of militaries families across our Commonwealth,” said Representative John Lawn.

“We must ensure that people across our state know that their donation to the ‘Military Family Relief Fund’ makes a real difference to military families – these donations help those in our own backyard,” said Alderman Allen ‘Jay’ Ciccone Jr.  Newton is home to more than 5,000 veterans according John MacGillivray, the city’s Veterans Service Director.

Military Friends Foundation has provided nearly a million dollars in assistance to Massachusetts military families through grants, services and support programs since 9/11.  For more information on all Military Friends Foundation programs visit www.militaryfriends.org or call (617) 733-7994.

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