By Dan Murphy
Every Holiday Season, we like to highlight some of the great charitable organizations that use your donations to the fullest, and help those who need it. And this Thanksgiving, with many of us in Westchester dealing with the financial effects of COVID, we understand that you have many worthy causes to choose from.
But for this story we focus on a group that deserves your consideration this holiday season for a doantion. Its name is United for the Troops, run by Jim and Patty Rathschmidt. United for the Troops was founded by Jim and Patty, with the help of friends and families whose sons and daughters are serving overseas. Its sole purpose is to make life while away from home a little better for these brave men and women by collecting simple comforts of home, and mail them in a box full of love.
After listening to our service men and women, the group found out that while the military provides soldiers with the essentials for day- to-day life, many soldieers miss the extra amenities that they enjoy while at home. “United for the Troops’ goal is to show them that we are proud of them and appreciate all of their efforts around the world,” said Jim, who was was born and raised in Yonkers, and now lives with Patty in Mahopac. In 2007 their son, Luke , went to Iraq to serve our country. During his stay, they would send him care packages, filled with little things that he couldn’t get at the PX and would make him feel a little better.
“We stared sending him things from home and he started sharing with his army friends. He told us that some of them didn’t have anyone from home, or their family didn’t have any money, to send them something. So we came up with the idea of raising money to send some of these items to our troops. We started standing outside of supermarkets and churches and we started getting donations. And then we realized that we had to start raising money for the postage to send international,” said Jim.
“In our first year, we sent our 200 boxes in 2007. Then, the people who made donations wanted us to continue so we decided to do it, and became a 501c3. Now we have 1,000 volunteers and 14 years later, we have delivered 26,000 boxes, –or 29,955 as of Nov. 15.”
United for the Troops is still a local organization, with a donated office in Carmel, where they can pack and ship the thousands of items that come in every week, and prep them for the mail. Amazon donations come in, and checks come in, and donations boxes are spread out across Westchester and Putnam county where you can drop in an item.
How have Jim and Patty been able to keep doing what they are doing 14 years later, and long after their son Luke came home from his service in 2011? One reason is to make sure that the generous donations make it to the troops.
“If you donate $100, then $100 goes to sending a package to the troops. We are all volunteer and our office is donated. Patty and I don’t take a salary, so there is no money coming off the top,” said Jim.
The other reason that United for the Troops is so successful is the many volunteers who come forward want to lend a hand and play a role in doing something good for their country. Girl Scouts, students, seniors all volunteer is some way.
While United for the Troops is a yearlong charity, every Holiday Season the group has a big push to get as many packages out to the troops serving our country at locations across the globe. It’s called Operation Defend the Holiday.
Jim says that before COVID hit two years ago, they would send out 1000 boxes in one day after thanksgiving. Now it takes a little longer, and they pack 350 boxes at a time.
There are two types of boxes for the troops. One is filled with toilitrees and personal care supplies, and the other is filled with snacks and non perishable food. Some servicemen and women gets two boxes, one of each. Others get multiple boxes and share it with the members of their platoon.
If you want to go out and buy something for a donation, there is a long list of suggested items on the website, unitedforthetroops.org. A recent, Jam the Jeep event in Somers raised $3000 and filled a van with donations.
Each box has a card, hand written by a young student, or a senior, wishing them well and hoping that they stay safe. “The cards are written by 5 year old kids to 95 year old seniors,” said Jim.
Other special items that go in some boxes are stars from retired flags, that are placed in each box with a poem from girl scouts. “We want them to hold the star with them so that they are close to America,” said Jim.
Another project with the Girl Scouts is called the Soil Project, where soil from your backyard is put into a small pouch with a note, giving the troops a little bit of the USA to hold with them. “We heard from a Marine Medic who carried the soil in his backpack, and when he came upon a serious casualty he would spread the soil out so that they could die on American soil,” said Jim.
The kindness, and compassion, that Jim and Patty show in leading United for the Troops is another reason for its success and why so many people want to be a part of it. “There are times when we are at a fundraiser with 500 people, and we look at each other like –how did this happen?
“We are doing something that people like to get involved with and be a part of. It’s very simple, we have no political agenda, we just want to bring comfort to the troops. We aren’t selling anything,” said Jim.
What do the troops miss the most and want the most from the packages? “They like their coffee and cookies, but also could use some new toothbrushes and socks and shampoo. It’s mostly simple stuff and the everyday staples that we take for granted here at home. Maybe some granola bars, or beef jerky or some mac and cheese is also nice. And peanut butter and jelly to make sandwiches is also a favorite,” said Jim.
Over the years, United for the Troops has collected and raised $2.7 million in donated items and funding, with $700,000 of that going for postage. It takes about 2 weeks to get a package overseas to the troops, so if you want to make a donation, they need it by the end of November. But the good thing is, if you don’t make the Holiday effort, the packages keep going out year round.
“This is an honor and a privilledge do so something you love. We have a lot of help and volunteers, and we couldn’t do it without the donations, but we are honored to be doing something we love.”
No Jim and Patty we thank you for doing something for our troops!
One volunteer wrote, “Thank you to all of you who serve and who Defend our Freedom! You are the true heroes. Freedom has never been Free! United For The Troops is one of the best Organizations I have ever been a part of. It truly is an Honor! Thank you to Jim and Patty Rathschmidt for ALL your hard work and dedication. I am there and see first hand all you do! ”- a volunteer
For a $15 donation, a care package will be sent to a soldier overseas on your behalf. If you would like to write a note or a card the volunteers that pack the boxes will be sure to include it in the comfort package.
For drop off or pick up call Jim at 845 729 4239. Or visit unitedforthetroops.org. for more information, from where donation boxes are located, to ways that you can help.
Happy Thanksgiving!
