Military Friends Foundation Partners with Massachusetts Lions Clubs For Holiday Care Package Drive
BOSTON – The Military Friends Foundation, a non-profit organization serving Massachusetts National Guard, Reserve and Gold Star Families, is proud to partner with the Lion Clubs in Massachusetts District 33(S) to support deployed military personnel from across the state through the Operation Shoebox Care Package Program.
“As an Iraq veteran, I understand first-hand the impact that Operation Shoebox has to boost morale when a soldier is away from home, especially during the holidays. We are proud to stand alongside the Lions Organization to honor those who are serving and applaud the Lions for their ongoing support of local troops,” said SGM Jim Kelly (Ret.), President of the Military Friends Foundation. This holiday season the Military Friends Foundation will provide the shipping costs for holiday packages assembled by more than fifty local Lions Clubs.
Over the past six years, Operation Shoebox has provided tens of thousands of pounds of supplies to Massachusetts Service Members serving at home and abroad. “Operation Shoebox is our way of showing that our men and women in uniform that they are not forgotten and to thank them for the sacrifices they are making on our behalf. Knowing that the Military Friends Foundation support for shipping all these packages is made possible because people take a few minutes to donate on their state tax form is a heartwarming testament to our sense of community here in Massachusetts,” said Lions Past District Governor Joseph Rizzo and Air Force Veteran.
The Military Friends Foundation proudly serves Massachusetts National Guard, Reserve and Gold Star Families in times of need. The Foundation proudly administers the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund which was created by the state legislature to recognize the unique contributions and sacrifices made by Citizen Service Members after September 11, 2001. Taxpayers can directly support the Mass. Military Family Relief Fund on their Massachusetts state income tax form under voluntary contribution check-off box Question 32E.
Through generous donations, the Foundation has given hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to Massachusetts military families. For more information on Military Friends Foundation grants and support programs, please visit www.militaryfriends.org or call (617) 733-7994.
