Guest Blog: Maxine Taylor, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty
As we remember the historic event of September 11, 2001 and celebrate all that America is to each of us, I’d like to introduce two programs with which I am involved: The Warrior Transition Battalion Program and the Soldier Adoption Program. I am member of the Association of The United States Army (AUSA) Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the FT Lewis Chapter. As the financial administrator for the Tacoma sub-chapter, we support the Madigan Healthcare Soldier Adoption Program and also the Wounded Warrior Program. These programs provide aid to our soldiers.
We provide assistance to both wounded soldiers and their families. Through the Adopt a Soldier program, we help plan a welcome home ceremony, invite soldiers to be guest speakers at local schools, have local school children write letters to deployed soldiers, and send care packages to deployed soldiers. Further the program provides recreational opportunities to aid in the physical training of injured soldiers who are on their personal path back to active duty, or to being discharged.
Fort Lewis Warrior Transition Battalion is considered an actual unit, with its own colors and lineage to validate service and to promote pride. A new building at Ft. Lewis contains one-stop shopping for their needs through the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, which reaches out to them even when they return to their hometowns. Caseworkers and volunteers come to them, and a transportation desk takes them where they need to go. Further, there is a play area for children, an Internet cafe and an area where retiree volunteers teach and assist the soldiers through their transition.
We are currently having a raffle to support these programs. A $50 raffle ticket will enter you for a drawing to win one of two $5,000 cash prizes. The profits received from the raffle will go to support the Wounded Warrior Program and Adopt a Soldier Program.
If you’d like more information or to support these programs by purchasing a raffle ticket please contact me at maxine.taylor@cbolympia.com. All tickets must be purchased by September 30th and the drawing will be held on October 18th.
