GALLOPING INTO FALL WITH TEAM DARKHORSE
– a look back and forward
By Karen Robbins
FAMILY DAY: Thank you to everyone who donated backpacks and gift cards so that Team Darkhorse could provide essential back to school items to the children of Marines, at the annual family day held in August on the campus of Mariners church. 1500 Marines and their families attended the event, which though organized by church staff and volunteers, also benefits from time and treasure of Team Darkhorse and our network of volunteers.
A huge “thank you” to those of you who assisted TDH Special Event Coordinator Teresa Bonutto. She and her “band of brothers” (and sisters! ) made table decorations, set and manned our back to school and “selfie” photo booths, set tables and pitched in with whatever help was needed last minute that day. The annual event not only engages and enriches the lives of the Marines but also affords opportunity to meet and mingle with the young men, women and their families who make sacrifices to serve our country.
CHARITY OF THE MONTH AT OC HARLEY DAVIDSON: OC Harley-Davidson selected Team Darkhorse as their philanthropy of the month in August. New owners Kim and Kevin donate a percentage of sales to charity, and promote the charity at their Friday Happy Hours and Saturday Block parties. Thank you to those of you who came by the Happy Hour event on August 31, when they presented us with our check. We were also joined that afternoon by 30 young Marines who rode up from Camp Pendleton to show their appreciation.
HELPING 3/5 VETERANS: Part of our mission has been to lend helping hands from time to time to the young combat veterans who served during the 2010 Afghanistan deployment. These Marines witnessed and experienced multiple casualties, injuries and trauma. With tremendous strength of character many are now building their civilian lives. It has been our honor to get to know a number of them, and to lend assistance when we can. We have found that it is never a Marine asking for himself, rather we learn of need through other veterans seeking help for their MC brother. We are glad they know we are here, and we step forward when we can. We recently were able to provide gift cards to a meal service for two Marines whose wives had just given birth, and to another Marine who had struggled with combat guilt related isolation but now with his friend’s encouragement had enrolled in school. We were able to provide him with one of our re-purposed computers.
Below are excerpts of letters we received from these Marines:
“ I really really appreciate everything you guys are doing for me from the bottom of my heart.
The computer has lifted some of the weight that I have had on my shoulders. I have received and opened this beautiful machine. I will be using it today for my homework and research, but I just really wanted to give my thanks to you and all that you do. “
“Thank you so much for the meals. You guys have made our life easier for these next two months. The meals are so good and healthy.”