WILMINGTON — On Saturday morning, November 10, 2018, people lined the streets downtown to pay their respects to the men and women who have given so much of themselves to protect our nation’s freedoms. The Second Annual Veterans Day parade was made possible in great part to the efforts of Step Up For Soldiers.
In 2004 Tom Russell, a retired Port Authority police officer and Vietnam Vet, saw the need for an organization to assist disabled veterans and now 14 years later, Step Up For Soldiers has grown and expanded in ways that were unforeseen in those early years. Since its inception, the purpose of the organization has expanded to provide funding for soldiers who need financial assistance as well as home modifications, family support and more.
Step Up For Soldiers Founder and CFO Tom Russell told Port City Daily that in 2018, they still help serve the local injured from Operation Iraqi Freedom and forward deployments as well as taking those in need that meet the requirements of the local food bank.
“Thankfully, no more local casualties or deaths have occurred,” Russell said. “There are less returning with severe injuries, but our support of these soldiers stays the same.”
Stepping up
In 2005 Step Up For Soldiers started work on the Fallen Soldier Memorial, honoring four local National Guard Soldiers from the 1st of 120th. In 2009, four more names were added. Step Up For Soldiers volunteers maintain the memorial site and are a mainstay of the organization.
“Basically, I feel that if it wasn’t for our Soldiers we would not enjoy our freedom. They fought to keep our country safe. As a core volunteer for the past 8 yrs it has been an honor to give back to them and as far as I am concerned, it’s the least any of us can do,” said Event Co-Coordinator / Adopt-A-Hwy Roadside Coordinator for Step Up For Soldiers Bobby McConville.
In January of 2017, the organization took on another responsibility, that of a landlord. Three years prior land was donated to Step Up For Soldiers and from there the idea was born to build a house, rent it to a married veteran going to college full time at a reduced rate. The family will get a portion of their rent back upon graduation, as long as they stay married and finish their schooling.
The Kramer House, named for local fallen hero Ed Kramer, was made possible thanks to monetary donations, as well as donations of time, labor and hard work by those in the construction field.
It is projects like the Kramer House that attracted Vice President of Step Up for Soldiers Jim Verdon, “I signed on with Step Up For Soldiers because it is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization that can cut through red tape and help our Veterans and their families immediately. Most Veterans groups require a lengthy approval process that often results in the Veteran falling through the cracks.”
The Packages from Home Project is still going strong, and Step Up for Soldiers is asking our community to share the names of local military personnel currently serving, as well as for donations to include in the packages. To date, over 4000 packages have been prepared and sent to our troops. There are two collection drives each year—one during the holidays and another to coincide with the Fourth of July.
“We get letters back all the time, thanking us. It’s just amazing. And we get pictures of them sharing the food,” Russell said.
Items requested most include socks and underwear, wet wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and beef jerky.
“A lot of these guys, especially the Marines, they’re out on a cliff in the middle of nowhere, or they’re protecting a town. They need things that are easy to eat, easy to carry, easy to clean. They should live as good as we do if they’re fighting for us,” Russell said.
Monetary donations payable to Step Up for Soldiers are accepted to help offset the shipping cost of the care packages. Each package costs $15 to ship.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, Step Up For Soldiers is making plans to build another house to help a family stay in school as well as staying married.
Russell said, “Not having to stress about paying the rent while getting a degree, is a big weight being lifted.”
Step Up For Soldiers mission is to provide disabled veterans who experienced loss of limb and mobility problems with the resources necessary to adjust in a post-war environment. As a result of the events and fundraisers, sponsored by Step Up For Soldiers, they strive to not only enhance the veterans’ lives and those of their families but also help to restore their confidence and positive self-image.
Volunteers and donations are always needed. You can learn more about the organization at their website.
As with any charitable donations, do your due diligence and check them out before giving using any of these free online tools: Guidestar, Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
