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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                    Contact:  Peggy Linton…Community Foundation of Northwest MS

                                                       662.449.5002

COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR SOLDIERS FAMILIES

As the soldiers of National Guard Troop Co A, 2-198 CAB deploy for Iraq in May, their families are left behind to carry on the normal day-to-day activities and schedules.  But some of these are at times not so normal.  What happens if an emergency arises and the soldier’s wife does not know who to call for assistance?  How does that young mother carry on her responsibilities with the children while also handling tasks such as lawn care?   

 These are opportunities for individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations to support local troops who are serving in Iraq.  The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and Volunteer Northwest Mississippi, the regional volunteer center, are joining forces with the Exchange Club to coordinate “Community Services for Soldiers’ Families”.   This project will be a database of service providers, volunteer organizations and individuals who want to assist and show their support for our troop’s families.    

How does it work?  Businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals can email volunteer@cfnm.org indicating the service/s they can provide, contact information and if the service will be available after hours and on weekends (especially for emergencies).  ‘Community Services for Soldiers Families’ is not seeking free services, but if the business would like to offer the service at a reduced price this will be an additional benefit to the families.  Volunteer Northwest Mississippi will receive the emails and establish a database so when the need arises, the families can easily access the information. 

Family Readiness, under the direction of coordinator Liz Adams, is a volunteer program of Troop 198, and the newly established ‘Community Services for Soldiers Families’ will complement their efforts.   The Family Readiness coordinators will work with soldiers’ families to identify specific needs, which they will communicate to Volunteer Northwest Mississippi. 

“Volunteer Northwest Mississippi is proud to pay a part in connecting people who care with causes that matter”, said Peggy Linton, volunteer center director.  “We work closely with volunteers daily and we are sure there are those who would lend a hand in time of need to our soldiers families.  Providing a quick and easy way to find assistance in time of need will help ease the stress of families who are apart.”  Examples of some of the services that may be needed by these families are lawn care, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, babysitters, home repair, just to name a few. 

 “I have always been proud of the volunteer spirit of the citizens of Desoto County”, said Bill Russell, DeSoto County Board of Supervisors, District 3.   “We must remember this is not just “overseas duty” for our soldiers.  This is a real war and our soldiers are putting their lives on the line to protect us and our children every day they are in Iraq. The very least we can do for them is to assure them their families will be cared for while they are in harm’s way.”   Assistance for “Community Services for Soldiers Families” is being sought throughout the business and civic communities of DeSoto County

The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi operates Volunteer Northwest Mississippi as one of its programs to improve the region’s quality of life. The Foundation, founded in 2002, is a 501.c.3 charitable organization that supports 200 local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation relies on more than 500 donors.

Volunteer Northwest Mississippi is the first-ever volunteer center serving an eight-county region.  It was established in 2007 under the sponsorship of the Community Foundation.  Connecting volunteers to the needs of non-profits is its main focus utilizing an on-line volunteer management system, 1800volunteer.org.   The volunteer center has a disaster preparedness plan working in cooperation with the local emergency management agencies, Red Cross and the Department of Human Services.  To learn more about Volunteer Northwest Mississippi go to www.volunteernwms.org or call 662.449.5002. 

Remember to email volunteer@cfnm.org if you have a service to provide the “Community Services for Soldiers Families”.