“Kangaroo Express Salute Our Troops Fundraising Event”

From the North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, Inc.

Since the Gulf War began in 1990, the North Carolina National Guard SAAF has been helping our Army and Air Guard Families during times of financial stress and emergencies.  Thousands of Families have been helped over many years.  The fund started out as a small non-profit, but grew in size as the years passed.  The SAAF does not receive federal funding, but relies on individual and corporate donations/gifts.  There was a period of time when the State of North Carolina provided grants to support our Families; however, in 2008, the grant money ceased.  In order to continue to help our families and to take care of our Soldiers and Airmen, as we have been trained to do throughout our military career, we need your help!

This summer, Pantry, Inc. and its sponsors are conducting a huge fundraising campaign for three non-profit organizations: the USO, the Wounded Warrior Project and the North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund. Kangaroo Express, a subsidiary of the Pantry, Inc., and the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, and its customers will take a united and proactive stand to recognize the sacrifices and service of the U.S. military, veterans and their Families.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, 100 days, the Salute Our Troops campaign will invite customers to recognize the military with donations and demonstrations of support in more than 1,600 Kangaroo Express stores in 13 states.  The goal is to raise $1 million in donations for military charitable organizations.  The Salute Our Troops campaign will help our communities shine a spotlight of gratitude and appreciation on the military.

For the NCNG Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund to be associated with the USO and the Wounded Warrior Program is an honor in itself.  All of us know how these programs help so many of our military families on a daily basis.  From deployment to redeployment, these organizations and their volunteers are out there serving and thanking all of you for what you do for our country.

We encourage you to take the time and go into a Kangaroo Store, introduce yourself, tell them that you are a member of the NC National Guard, and say “thanks’ for what they are doing to raise funds to support these great organizations, the National Guard and our military Families.  You can get the word out to our troops and their Families through newsletters, at formation, announcements and through the NCO and Officer calls.   Our National Guard is up to the challenge!  Let’s do our share to support the USO, the Wounded Warrior Project and the North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund and take care of our OWN.