Earlier this month, the “Gifts from Home” 501(c)3 held their fourth annual Golf tournament to Support Our Troops. An incredible group of over 100 golfers from the community competed in the fundraiser tournament.
Gifts from Home sends boxes of necessities and gifts to soldiers overseas year round. They began in 2007 with a shipment of 250 boxes and have been going strong ever since. Currently they mail between 50 and 100 boxes per month.
Joe Swilley, County Commission district 1 candidate and Navy veteran said he has “attended every one ( of the tournaments) and enjoyed them all.”
“We are there for them before they leave. We’re there for them while they are there. We’re there for them when they come home, stated Linda Kidwell, President of Gifts from Home. Kidwell as well as her husband Larry, a Vietnam Vet and Vice President of the organization, has worked tirelessly on the tournament for several months in preparation.
“Our main goal is to provide a massive show of support and enhance the morale and welfare by sending some comforts of home. This can only be possible when our community becomes involved to make this a reality,” the Kidwells state.
Veteran of Foreign Wars Post Commander Wayne Tuttle, Desert Storm Veteran spoke about what it meant to him to receive the packages while he was in the military. “It means a lot to get these packages from home,” he said.
There were 38 teams playing in the golf tournament. They also had a waiting list for additional teams that they were not able to get into the tournament.
It was a best ball format tournament. This means that the foursome took the best individual score for each hole. The winning team was Jack Russell, Joseph Jata, Ed Park and Charles (Charlie Brown) Hofsess. At ninety years old, Ed Park led his team to victory.
Gifts from Home has a storefront in front of Kohl’s on Spring Hill Drive. This is where the packages are put together to be sent to the troops.
Currently the organization is in need of addresses of troops to send packages to. They are always in need of items or monetary donations as well.
“I have myself, poured my heart and soul into this organization and will do everything possible not to let our troops down,” stated Linda Kidwell.
You can contact Gifts from Home at 352-684-4185.