Defenders of Freedom Fund raises money for our troops and families
(Columbia, S.C.) - Today Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell and other
supporters of the Defenders of Freedom Fund returned to the Veterans
Monument on the State House Grounds to present two checks to the S.C.
Guard. Less than three weeks ago Speaker Harrell and others met at the
Veterans Monument and made a promise to our troops of the South
Carolina Guard 218th Brigade.
Members of the 218th Brigade Combat Team are training in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and have been granted a 10-day leave to visit their families before their deployment in late April to go to Afghanistan, but have not been provided with any transportation home. Speaker Harrell and others set up the Defenders of Freedom Fund to raise the money needed to bring our troops home.
Speaker Harrell said, “We made a promise to our troops that they would have an opportunity to come home to spend time with their loved ones before they leave for almost a year. And with the huge show of support from business leaders and citizens from all over our state, we have exceeded our goal.” Speaker Harrell continued, “I want to thank everybody who made this effort a success by uniting together as a state to support our troops.”
Two checks from the Defenders of Freedom were presented to the S.C. Guard. One will cover the cost of bringing our troops from the 218th home to see their families, the other check with the remaining money was given to the S.C. Guard’s Family Programs Assistance fund to be used to benefit our troops and their families. In all, the Defenders of Freedom fund helped raise over $98,000.
National Guard Association of S.C. executive director Cindy Watson said, “The National Guard Association of South Carolina is very pleased with the outpouring of support that we have received from the community - both businesses and individuals. Because of all the contributions, we will be able to provide transportation to not only those soldiers at Camp Shelby but also the soldiers at Fort Riley. Thank you to everyone who has given so generously.”
The State Chamber of Commerce has been a tremendous help in organizing this effort. Our state’s businesses, large and small, have been very generous and eager to assist our troops. We would like to give special recognition to some of the individuals and organizations that went above and beyond any expectations we had:
The Mungo Family
AT&T
S.C. Home Builders Association
SCANA
Blue Cross Blue Shield
S.C. REALTORS
Lonestar & Myrtle Beach Chamber
S.C. Manufacturing Association
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