Rotary Club Invites Communities to Join in Raising Funds for the Families of Our Dedicated and Increasing Troops
In light of the newly announced Afghanistan troop surge, The Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita is stepping up the efforts of its comprehensive Marine relief initiative, FamiliesLeft Behind. Launched in conjunction with Saddleback Valley YMCA and Camp Pendleton Armed Service YMCA, the program aims to help the families of the thousands of U.S. Marines now serving faithfully in Iraq and Afghanistan— by collecting funds to provide them with food, incidentals and other extraordinary expenses for the holidays through the base YMCA. The Rotary Club is aiming to multiply the program's impact as up to 30,000 additional troops prepare to deploy in the upcoming months.
"With the recent announcement of the increased deployments, this holiday season is the ideal time for us to show our full support to the brave Marines protecting our country, as well as those preparing to join the surge," said John Carpenter, president of the Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Ranch Santa Margarita. "By pooling our resources as a community, we can make a profound impact just by giving these troops' families one or two fewer things to worry about during these months, and give our brave men and women one less thing to worry about while focusing at the task at hand."
As more Marines prepare to fight overseas, Families Left Behind is requesting the support of Southern California businesses and communities in order to raise much-needed funds that will directly help the wives and children of these troops during the holiday months. Also committed to the cause, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 636 and the Tesoro High School Interact Club will be collecting donations outside local grocery stores.
The holiday Marine relief fund drive will continue through Dec. 15. To make donations online, visit http://www.cotoranchorotary.org and click on "make a donation." All donations to Families Left Behind are 100 percent tax deductible, and 100 percent of all funds raised will go to the Marine families.
About the Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita, also known as Coto Rancho Rotary Club, was founded in 1983 by members of the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo. Club members meet weekly to share fellowship and to plan community, international and vocational service projects. If you have an interest in Rotary, please contact Ken Upton at (949) 253-5892.
Contacts:
Echo Media Group
Victor DiCarlo
949-486-8960 ext.237
vdicarlo@echomediapr.com
