Giving Back

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As any who follow our social media or know us personally may know Jodie's son was recently deployed in the sandbox with the Army Reserves 994th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, part of the 244th Engineer Battalion.

We coordinated with the Soldier Family Readiness Group (SFRG) at the Reserve base here in Denver to allow us to help collect goods and raise funds to support soldiers and their families left behind. We have set up a drop location in our office for goods to include in care packages for the soldiers deployed as well as collecting non-perishable and pantry items for the families left behind.

Below this section is a wish-list gathered by the SFRG of items to send to the troops deployed if you'd like to donate items.

Here is an excerpt from their letter:

"The Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG), formerly known as the Family Readiness Group (FRG) is a unit’s commander’s program, comprised of Soldiers, civilian employees, Family Members (immediate and extension), and volunteers belonging to a unit. It forms a network of mutual support and assistance and assists unit commanders in meeting military and personal deployment preparedness and enhances Soldier and Family readiness.

The 244th is an Army Reserve battalion headquartered in Denver, consisting of over 850 soldiers in 10 units across Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. The battalion has a distinguished lineage of decorated service in World War II, Iraq, Panama, and Kuwait. Its capabilities include combat engineering, military construction, route clearance and firefighting. Recently, its’ 994th Vertical Construction Company deployed to the Middle East, leaving Family Members scattered over at least a dozen states.

As a Reserve Unit and Soldier and Family Readiness Group, we rely solely on contributions and donations from the community to help Soldiers and their Families “effectively navigate the challenges of daily living experienced in the unique context of military service.” On 01 April 2019, the Secretary of the Army stated, “SFRGs may not engage in external fundraising with commercial or private entities and may not solicit gifts and donations. However, in accordance with reference 1e and with the advice of an ethics counselor, commanders may, in response to an appropriate inquiry, inform potential donors of the needs of the Army in relation to assisting Army Families.” The SFRG is not a 501 organization. However, we are federal and state tax exempt as a part of the Department of the Army.

One of our greatest expenses has been to provide family days twice a year for our Soldiers and their Families. In fact, that holiday party mentioned earlier was one of these and I am still short $2500 in those expenses. The next scheduled event will be sometime this summer and I expect it to run about $2000. Unfortunately, there is a more serious side to the SFRG and that is assisting Soldiers and their family members in times of crisis. Although the Army does have programs in place to help, those can often take weeks, if not months, to process, especially for Reservists. When Soldiers find themselves suddenly without food, shelter, vehicles, or needing emergency services, the SFRG is often their last lifeline. Over the last 20 years, it is not uncommon for our group to provide at least $10,000 annually to aid in these serious situations."

Direct Contributions to the SFRG can be made to:

244th EN BN FAMILY READINESSS GROUP

8417 S ZEPHYR ST

LITTLETON, CO 80128

Tax Deductible Contributions can be made to:

   American Legion Auxiliary at Post 1

Attn:  Georgia Sweeney

5400 E. Yale Ave.

Denver, CO  80222 

Please include note to go to the 244th

The 244th Engineer Battalion Soldier and Family Readiness Group Thanks You in advance for your Support of the 994 Engineering Vertical Construction Company while they are overseas.