Local Nonprofit Provides Aid to Area Military Families During Pandemic
Sgt. First Class Kevin Chitwood of the Army Reserves, right, and another local reservist. Chitwood says he and his fellow reservists are grateful for the supplies Friends of the Troops donated to assist them and their families during the pandemic.
Chattanooga-based nonprofit Friends of the Troops is meeting the needs of area service members and their families during the pandemic.
The organization, which supports deployed troops, veterans and stateside service members, has seen increased need from the area’s military families since the Easter tornado and during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
After learning that a number of reservists and military spouses had lost their regular jobs due to COVID-19 cutbacks, Friends of the Troops stepped up with cleaning supplies, hygiene items and snacks, and distributed pallets of the items to area military families.
“The 327th Chemical Company and other units in the Chattanooga area cannot thank Friends of the Troops enough for their kind and thoughtful donations,” says Sgt. First Class Kevin Chitwood of the Army Reserves. “The donations put smiles on faces and eased financial burdens within our ranks in these trying times.”
Friends of the Troops receives donated items and financial support through partnerships with area corporations and businesses.
CEO Jessica Duke says, “We rely on corporate donations to support our service members and their families. We’re grateful for every item received and ensure every donation makes its way to our service members or their families, or to support veterans.”
Friends of the Troops is looking for area businesses partners to help support the military community, including a local National Guard unit that just deployed overseas.
For more information about Friends of the Troops, visit their website at www.friendsofthetroops.org or call 423 599-9901.
Source: Friends of the Troops