Valentines Deliveries To Troops Begins

LOS ANGELES, CA February 11, 2004--A Los Angeles businessman who began a national letter writing campaign during the Gulf War in 1991 that turned into a national campaign called, "Valentines For Troops" is ready to begin his deliveries this week to troops all over the world.

Last year, Michael Fleming, backed by his partners, David Fleming (his brother) and Paul Kramer, delivered over 1,100,000 Valentines to United States service members stationed here and abroad. Hundreds of thousands made it over to those stationed in Iraq.

"We sorted enough Valentines to fill two semi-trucks last year which was quite unbelievable," said Michael Fleming, founder of the campaign. "This year I was held back by business concerns but we will still have quite a load going out," added Fleming.

The Valentines program began three years ago when Fleming was going through some letters he received from troop members during the Gulf War, responding to letters they received from his first letter campaign. One service member letter, written on a piece of cardboard off a C-ration box top, discussed the war and the fact his letter to Fleming would arrive around Valentines Day. "Let me be the first to wish you all Happy Valentines Day," wrote the soldier.

Fleming was so moved that he thought the troops stationed overseas could use some cheering up in the way of Valentine messages. He then began a quest to create a national, campaign to send "messages of love" from home.

"The members at Light of the Canyon Church in Anaheim, as well as my employees at Skateland and Farrell's in Los Angeles, get a lot of the credit as the sorting time is quite incredible," said Fleming. "We must open, screen and sort every Valentine we get, and then box them up. Our website has very detailed information about sending them to us for delivery. You can also email the troops through our website http://www.ValentinesForTroops.com," he added.

Last year Fleming was contacted by Alice Wax, Executive Director of National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) headquartered in Washington, DC. As the two became friends, Fleming got a call from her one-day telling him she had a dream about a fund for children. Within a month, and several California to Washington trips, the two founded the Armed Services Children's Education Fund Inc (AFCEF) which is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization based in Washington, DC.

"The goal of AFCEF to provide educational funds for the children of soldiers killed during the war on terrorism," said Wax. "Michael and I felt we needed to do something for the children of our fallen heroes. Making sure their children get the education they want when they are older is the least we can do as Americans," she added.

Donations to the fund can be sent to the Armed Forces Children's Education Fund, P.O. Box 44524 Washington, DC 20026-4524 or go to their website, http://www.AFCEF.org




This article courtesy of http://www.yourvalentinegifts.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Click Here To Submit Your Article!