This past year I have let my wonderful readers, my social networking friends, my radio audience and everyone I meet know about some of the needs of our men and women currently in uniform, their families, and our Veterans through Soldiers’ Angels. I am overwhelmed knowing that people really want to help when they know how to do so or what is needed. My blogging platforms and social networking groups are not only for my personal pleasure, but can in turn share the word of my passion, which is Soldiers’ Angels. I can’t thank each of you enough for embracing my cause, whether it is just spreading the word, adopting a soldier or making a personal donation yourself. I could go on and on about all the wonderful people who got their “angel wings” this past year. But, they know who they are and if you deal with heroes, you know that what you get back intrinsically is worth far more than what you give. Below are just a few of the examples of local generosity:

VA: Recently I wrote on the NOLA.com forum that I was heading to the Southeast War Veterans Home in Reserve to drop some handmade bags filled with goodies from a local church group. Within 24 hours I had more coffee and goodies on my doorstep. I also had a woman contact me about donating a wheelchair for a hero in need of one. WOW!

Families Adopted for Christmas: Through Soldiers’ Angels, 4 local families in need of some help this Christmas were adopted and supported through other local families. The generosity and compassion of the families who shopped and wrapped gifts for another family overwhelms me as does the grateful attitudes from those receiving the gifts.

Local family with an emergency situation: I want to touch on my cry to help a local military family who had the rug pulled out from under them before Christmas. You see, life can be wonderful and then one event can happen where you all of a sudden need to turn around and ask for help. I posted on my blog and the NOLA.com forum about this family needing help. In the past week, this family was the recipient of: a $30 Visa gift card from a friend of mine, their electric bill paid and a cash contribution from Elks #30 out of New Orleans, $100 shopping spree at the French Market in Mandeville, $100 gift certificate from Stadium cuts in Mandeville and money from Soldiers’ Angels. This family is overwhelmed with all the generosity and this will give them a chance to regroup and get back on their feet.

THANK YOU to all the angels out there. There really angels here on Earth – you know who you are!