Military Friends Foundation Helps Local Troops Impacted By Government Shutdown Stay In Their Homes

January 2019 – SSG Michael Jarrie, a member of the Massachusetts National Guard’s 772 Military Police Company, has deployed four times to the Middle East. He has more than 16 years of military service, yet this week SSG Jarrie was unsure that he would be able to feed his three young children and keep a roof over his family’s head. 

This is because Jarrie, whose civilian employer is the Federal Bureau of Corrections, has been without a paycheck since the government shutdown began.  As an essential employee, he now must come up with the funds on his own to travel to and from work. 

Military Friends Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Massachusetts military families and families of Fallen Servicemembers, is supporting families like Jarrie’s with grants to assist with housing, utilities and food.  “Receiving this grant has helped my family overcome some major hurdles,” said SSG Jarrie. “I am so very grateful… because of Military Friends we can survive this month.”  Military Friends Foundation has already distributed thousands of dollars to troops impacted by the shutdown.  Troops seeking assistance can call 1-84-HELP-VETS or visit MilitaryFriends.org

Much of this support is made possible by donations made by local residents on Question 32E – Mass. Military Relief Fund – a voluntary tax donation check-off on the Massachusetts State Tax Form.  Residents can make a donation each year on the state income tax form to support families like the Jarrie’s.  Military Friends Foundation has provided millions of dollars in grants to military families across the Commonwealth since it was established in 2003.