STAMFORD, Conn — SoldierSocks.com, a Stamford-based non-profit organization, announced its new mission to assist returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan enter the workforce and has launched a new college grant foundation where veterans can apply for tuition assistance.
To help fund this new endeavor, the organization will be selling red, white and blue silicone bracelets for $2 each with the net proceeds going to the foundation. "Our goal is to sell one million bracelets, which will net approximately $1.5 million dollars for our education foundation," said SoldierSocks.com co-founder Chris Meek.
"One of the biggest stories we hear about now is how hard it is for our returning veterans to find a job in the current economic environment.," said SoldierSocks.com co-founder Chris Meek of Stamford. "SoldierSocks wants to continue supporting our men and women in uniform as they transition from the battlefield to Main Street. We want to be a resource for job training programs as well as a place they can go to for tuition assistance."
In addition to working with several corporations, federal and state agencies for the job training programs, SoldierSocks has unveiled its college grant foundation.
Founded by Meek in 2009, the mission of SoldierSocks is to provide basic yet essential supplies such as tube socks and baby wipes to troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. These simple items, which are often taken for granted, are in short supply for U.S. personnel, who live and work in harsh terrain and weather conditions.
In 2011, President Barack Obama bestowed SoldierSocks with the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award which recognizes the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve.
Since SoldierSocks’ inception, the group has shipped over 50,000 pounds of baby wipes, tube socks and other personal hygienic items to soldiers in over 40 units in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to the Nutmeg State, SoldierSocks has held numerous drives across the country and partnered with nationally syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show (radio), TIME Magazine, Frito-Lay, Cablevision, Vineyard Vines, Wiffle Ball, Inc., HeatMax, the Northeast Pharmacy Service Corporation, MagnaCare, as well as a number of schools, universities, churches, temples and other civic organizations. SoldierSocks has also partnered with Marine Air Lift Unit 49 and Air National Guard unit out of Stewart Air Base in nearby Newburgh, New York to arrange shipping the items at no cost which will mean even more baby wipes and socks headed to units.