On behalf of the 176th Firefighting Team I want to say THANK YOU!!!!! You are awesome!!!!! Thank you so much for the books, snacks, knit scarfs, knit caps, detergent, music, sadukoo, batteries, word searches, movies and everything else you have done. We had a great Christmas because of you and all the others who have selflessly taken the time, effort and money to care. It helps us to stay motivated while away from our families and friends when people we have never met care. It helps us to feel that pride we have for our great Nation when we feel your support. It is very hard for me to put into words the kind of gratitude and appreciation we have for you and everyone at HOME. We have been blessed by you and we know that in turn you too will be blessed. We love to read the cards and letters that are sent along with the care packages. We have recieved letteres from fellow veterans who have fought in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and other areas. It is nice to hear their story and why they have come to belong to this program.

Everything you have sent to us is right on the money. We are doing great here and are preparing for a cold winter. They have told us that we should be getting some snow from now until possibly March. They say it will snow for a little then warm up and then snow again. This will be our first winter here. I will try to take some pictures of the surrounding mountains that have already started to be covered in snow. Every morning we have to check all the fire trucks to make sure the water didn't freeze in the pipes along with all of our personal firefighting equipment. Fortunately our days consist of mostly training and not much action. When we are busy it is usually somebody's worst day. We also help with building inspections here. We try to make sure that every tent and structure have the right amount of smoke detectors, extinguishers, and batteries for the smoke detectors. Because some of these buildings here are makeshift we check to see if we can prevent some hazards with electrical wiring and other potential hazards that might get overlooked. We also get to workout some. This is most of our favorite thing to do. We are looking into joining the 911 challenge for fitness. This is available to all fire, police, EMS, military personnel. The money raised gets donated to St. Jude's which is a group that has been supported by many fire departments nation wide. I don't know if we will win but it is always fun training for a purpose.

Again I want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your selfless service to us and to our Country. I hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please stay safe and feel free to email me at this address. I do not have constant computer access so it may take me a little to answer you so I apologize for that. I will promise that I will respond as quickly as I can.

Thank you so much.
With humble hearts,
176th Firefighting Team
POC: SGT. Seth Frost

Read more letters from our soldiers.

Letter from a Soldier. Click image to view larger.

Read more letters from our soldiers.

Letter from SMSgt Walter Martinez. Click image to view larger.

Read more letters from our soldiers.

Thanks for your continued support, it's much appreciated by all of us!
As far as any special needs/requests go, the below items seem to be "highly desired":

• "Quick fix" microwaveable meals and "cup of pasta" meals (mac and cheese pouches, top ramen noodle, and any tv style dinners that don't require refrigeration)
• Chapstick (Blue or black label)
• Sunscreen (it's easy to get sunburn here with 24 hours of sunlight)
• Tampons, Plastic Applicator (not cardboard)
• Laundry Detergent Pods (they are the little pouches of detergent that melt when they come into contact with water)
• Peanuts, cheese-it crackers, and other various somewhat healthy snacks (candy not preferred)
• Canned spray cheese (for crackers)
• Cologne and perfume (helps when we aren't able to shower for a few days)
• Men's and women's deoderant
• Any short sleeve or long sleeve t-shirts sizes M-XL

Thanks so much! Attached is a picture of some of us from my unit. The mountain in the background of the picture had the top of it shaved off by a glacier (Mt. Dundas). It is finally starting to warm up out here and the snow is slowly starting to melt away. we are so ready for warmer weather!

V/R,
JEFFREY M. DESJARDINS, TSgt, USAF

Read more letters from our soldiers.

Hand-written letters from soldiers. Click images to view larger.

Read more letters from our soldiers.

Mission Statement

HOME - Help Our Military Endure was organized for charitable purposes to send care packages to United States servicemen and women serving in far off countries. This effort is solely supported by monetary and non-monetary donations collected from the general public throughout the year.

Latest News

Schedule of Events

The schedule for HOME is getting busy and volunteers are needed to help and highly encouraged. Here is the latest HOME schedule. Please contact any of our board members for information.

• February 25, 2014
  Operation Shoebox Drive culminates at Clear Lake City Elementary School. HOME will assemble at the school office at 1315 and meet up with Mrs. Hines Student Council to receive the boxes.
• April 12, 2014
  HOME presents Predator Chili at the JSC MOD Chili Cook-Off. Come out and support our military and vote for Predator Chili, grab some popcorn, and have a FUN time.
• April 26, 2014
  HOME sponsors the 5th Annual HOME Golf Tournament at Country Place Golf Club, 3123 Flowers Field Lane, Pearland. Sign up start at 11:00; Shotgun start at 12:00; 4 person scramble; Entry Fee $100.00 per player.
• May 25, 2014
  HOME supports Flags for Fallen Vets by helping to place a flag on each grave at the Houston National Cemetery located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. If you plan to attend, you must register yourself and your family members at the following: www.flagsforfallenvets.com. Scroll down on the left banner to Houston Nat. Cemetery. Click on the Volunteering button on the left to register. The ceremony starts at 8am, so come early for parking. All are invited to participate. It is very, very moving.
• June 21 & 22, 2014
  Boy Scout troop 1513 will head up a colection drive for our military at Kroger on El Dorado on June 21st & 22nd. Come out and support your troups by purchasing items and donating to troop 1513 which will help HOME box and ship it off to our military for Christmas in July.
• July 12, 2014
  HOME Christmas in July packing party. We start at 12 noon at HOPE Church located at 770 Pineloch. (The corner of Highway 3 and Pineloch). Bring your donations with you to separate and box up.
• November 1 & 2, 2014
  Come out to Ellington for an amazing air show and support our military with your donation to HOME. Come visit the HOME booth and purchase your HOME shirt. All proceeds go to the cost of shipping the care packages.
• November 7-9, 2014
  Support our troops with HOME at Salute to Military Service 9am - 6pm. Discounts, displays, activities, and patriotism! Golden Knights Parachute Jump Team at 5:30pm. Fireworks at 7:00pm.
• November 11, 2014
  Home will be at the University of Houston - Clear Lake on Veterans Day to support our Vets. Wonderful ceremonies will take place and you can meet many great veterans.
• December 6, 2014
  HOME Christmas packing party. We start at 12 noon at HOPE Church located at 770 Pineloch. (The corner of Highway 3 and Pineloch.) Come ready to work and have fun. Bring your donations with you to separate and box up.
• December 12, 2014
  Wreaths Across America. For more information go to www.waahouston.org.

Girl Scout Cookie Drop-Off - April 4, 2014

HOME receives hundreds of cases of Girl Scout cookies for the troops. Monetary donations are needed to ensure these cookies reach their destination, in the hands of our soldiers serving in far off countries. Please visit the "How You Can Help" page and consider donating today.

Annual Christmas Packing Party - Saturday, December 7, 2013

View More Images in the Annual Christmas Packing Party Image Gallery

Annual Christmas in July Packing Party - Saturday, July 13, 2013

There are no words to describe the jubilation I feel from the outpouring of love and respect from all who volunteer to Help Our Military Endure. Are you familiar with the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words?" I will let the pictures speak for me from the HOME - Christmas in July packing party that was held on 7-13-2013.
Read More About Annual Christmas in July Packing Party...

4th Annual HOME Golf Tournament - Friday, April 19, 2013

The week of the 4th Annual HOME Golf tournament turned out to be a stressful and confusing week for this American.

Stressful for what occurred in a small town of Texas called West. So many lives lost in a horrific accident.

Confusing for what transpired in Boston, Massachusetts and continued on into Watertown. So many lives changed forever and for no other reason than to just kill and scar hundreds of innocent human beings that happen to live in these United States of America. I'm confused by this incident aren't you?

While the jrROTC of Pearland High School under the direction of Sgt Major Grant presented our amazing colors for the tournament, and the third grade choir of Cline Elementary School of Friendswood, directed by Ms. Glynis David led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by our National Anthem. These towns, their citizens and what took place crept into my mind.

Read More About 4th Annual HOME Golf Tournament...