Who is MarineParents.com ~ We Love Our Marines!
Ranked #253 in Volunteering, #46,710 overall | Donates to Marine Parents
From One Parent in 2003 to Thousands of Parents, Friends and Supporters of United States Marines
This lens was created to raise awareness about, and highlight, the Volunteer organization that offers "A Place to Connect & Share" for Marine Corps Families & Supporters.
It all started when one woman was searching for information about what was going on in Iraq when her Marine son was deployed.
Over the years, MarineParents.com has grown into a vibrant, living community managed by this amazing woman and her team of dedicated parents who have nurtured and raised it. It is THE go to place for parents seeking answers when their children enlist and go to boot camp.
During the boot camp experience, as parents frequent the MarineParents.com website, and they become engaged and participate in the conversations, the realization slowly dawns on them that they have been "involuntarily drafted" into the Marine Corps! And it happens ever so subtly because of the courageous decision of their sons and daughters to earn the title of "United States Marine".
MarineParents.com sponsors several outreach programs, most notably:

Operation PAL (Prayers and Letters)


The good works of this organization are funded and powered by the proceeds generated, and donations made, by supporters of Marines and their families.
We trust that you will want to help us . . .
Semper Fi!
Marine Parents At Work
75 Volunteers Shipped 730 Cases of Girl Scout Cookies For Marines
Slideshow of March 21, 2009 packing day
Photos of Past packing days
Reasons to Support MarineParents.com
So Much More Than The Message Boards
You have to read the story of why Tracy Della Vecchia founded this unique organization six years ago. Today, she and her team of dedicated Volunteers offer their time by providing information, encouragement and support to those who post on the message boards. They also share their own experiences while managing the numerous projects of MarineParents.com, Inc.
This Nonprofit Corporation is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, and three Advisory Board Members and is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity.
When I stumbled upon their website at the end of July, 2007, I had NO idea the effect it would have on me. The Recruit Parents side of the house became my lifeline while my son was going through boot camp on Parris Island, as I know it has, and continues to be for countless others. (You can read my story HERE.)
Because of the information, support, resources and friendships I found, I cannot imagine others NOT knowing about this website. So I created this Lens to allow more people the opportunity to discover this caring group of people who touch the lives of so many with all that they do for our Marines and their families.
Video & Story from NBC Nightly News
'Band of Mothers' bonds online
The President's Volunteer Service Award
Marine Parents Volunteers Awarded
Office Is Moving And We Need Your Help!
Current Location Has Been Sold; New Location Needs Renovation
The Story Behind the Move provides a snapshot of this organization's humble beginnings, its tremendous growth, and groundwork for the future.
Since I live miles away from the corporate office in another state, I decided that one way I could help is to update this Lens and get the word out about this HUGE undertaking.
Donations of time, labor and materials, and approximately just $8,000 more to cover the costs associated with this move, and renovation of the new space, are what is needed before the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in mid-August, 2009.
Can you, or someone you know, donate ANY of the following?
Walls, Floors and Ceilings:
- sheetrock (150 sheets, 10')
- metal studs (448, 10')
- metal floor jousts, flooring (24x29)
- drywall tape and mud
- paint
- suspended ceiling grid, approximately 1750 sq. feet, 70x25
- drop-in ceiling tiles (acoustical panels, tin tiles, etc.)
Windows, Doors, Stairs, Bannister, Trim:
- interior pocket door, 5-6' wide
- steel doors, one single 30" and one double
- bannister or metal railing for mezzanine area
- 4' wide stairwell and railing
- baseboard trim and door moldings
Flooring and Lighting:
- canned lights for suspended ceilings
- closet lights
- wall lights
- carpet, approximately 2440 sq. feet
- linoleum or tile flooring for kitchen area and bathrooms, 26x10
Kitchen and Bath:
- kitchen sink, faucet, plumbing
- garbage disposal
- water heater (on-demand style if possible)
- 2 bathroom sinks, vanity, faucets, mirror, lighting
- 2 metal bars for handicap accessible toilets
- toilet paper and paper towel dispensers for two bathrooms
- drinking fountain
- base cabinets and countertop
- 15' countertop, 18" wide and 24" wide
Electric and Wiring:
- electric outlets, plugs, switches, phone plates
- electric wire, phone wire, alarm system wire, cat5, speaker wire
- lighted exit signs
- doorbell and ringer
Other Miscellaneous Items:
- ladder
- window air conditioner
Labor:
- Building partial interior walls
- Drywall hanging and finishing
- Painting
- Construction of a front door and removal of a garage door
- Cutting two doors into a wall, installing door frames and doors
- Construction of a dropped ceiling (grid system with drop in panels)
- Carpet installation
- Plumbing
- Installation of electric outlets and lighting
- Installation of alarm communication system
- Installation of telephone wiring
- Installation of wall and counter cabinets
- Installation of carpet
- Packing and moving the office
- Trucks to move the office
Here are Photos of the Renovation Progress, as well as the Proposed Schedule of Work and Ways You Can Help.
It does not matter where you live, or whether you can offer the items detailed above. Know that your Donations online (or even by mail), are welcome, as are gift cards (Lowe's or Home Depot), which can be mailed to:
MarineParents.com
PO Box 1115
Columbia, MO 65205
If you need additional information, or can volunteer your time, please call the office at 573-449-2003 or send an email.
We appreciate ANY and ALL assistance so that this fine organization can continue to support Former, Present and Future Marines who . . .
Defend OUR Country;
Honor THEIR Families; and
Sacrifice for YOUR Freedoms!
(Tentative Opening is August 15, 2009)
We Need Your $1
Or Just Help Us Spread the Word!
Current Projects You Can Support
You Want To Help Don't You?
Our Volunteers are actively involved in the following:
Moving the MarineParents Corporate Offices!
While a little over $10,000 has been raised, we still need approximately $7,900 in donations for moving and renovating the new location. We also need volunteers and professionals to help us.Operation PAL
Prayers And Letters for Ill or Injured MarinesTeam Marine Parents
Promoting "Support Our Troops" Community AwarenessGreeting Cards From Home ~ Send Your FREE card TODAY!
Customizable Greeting Cards Delivered by the Postal Service
Meals for Wounded Warriors
Purple Heart Family Support
Raising funds for meals for Wounded Warriors and Their Families
Past Projects
Girl Scout Cookies® SHIPPING Fund Raiser
UPDATE: Raised over $12,000 (in less than 30 days) of the April 1, 2008 goal for Postage to Ship 1,000 Cases of Girl Scout Cookies® to Deployed TroopsSupport Our Troops: Dollar Campaign
UPDATE: Needed to raise $9,800 by August 23, 2008 to ship care packages. Two weeks before the deadline, donations exceeded $11,000 and 975+ care packages were shipped overseas to our Marines.
Help Spread the Love
You Can At Least Do This Much . . .
If you'd like to sign up for the Newsletter so you can stay abreast of all that's going on, please do so.
Or just share this Lens with everyone you know! And direct others to the MarineParents.com website, especially if they love a Marine, or have a family member aspiring to become one of
Shout Outs For/From Marine Parents!
ATTENTION Squidoo lensmasters: Feel free to Lensroll, Rate, and/or Email this lens to people you know. You can even use Twitter, Facebook, Digg, De.li.cious, and any other Social Bookmarking site to help spread the word.
And to our non-Squidoo readers: If you'd like to rate this lens, please consider creating your own first lens . . . it's free and you can get started right now by clicking HERE! There's also a list of resources at the bottom to help you get started.
Your consideration and efforts are truly appreciated! And we are thanking you advance for whatever way you choose to support MarineParents.com.
And your comments are welcomed here!
Joyce Orrell wrote
Thanks to MarineParents.com we were able to feed approximately 150 Wounded Warriors last night at Balboa Hospital! 300 huge ribs, three steam pans of au gratin potaoes, two huge roasters of green beans, two large salads, three bags of Costco Rolls, and about 35 different homemade deserts brought in by volunteers! They really appreciate the food and a chance to get out of their rooms and socialize, they know they are so loved and supported when they leave the Liberty Center. Thank you Marine Parents for supporting this great evening every month!
Hugs
Joyce
icjackson wrote...
Great lens with a GREAT message, Anita.
Thank you for YOUR service - our men and women in the Armed Forces need more voices and supporters like you who work to get the word out.
Five stars and faved!
Wysiwigs wrote...
What a wonderful lens for a great cause! We have one serving in the Guard, and I am always delighted to come across anything supportive of our military (all branches) as they sacrifice so much for our country and its freedoms. A fact that, sadly, most people take totally for granted. 5*
Http://www.Squidoo.com/ConnieCrankpot
HighlyFavored wrote...
in reply to marinewife91 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Read your lens and had to laugh . . . what an experience for your first move! Couldn't find a way to reply on your lens, but did find you on Twitter, am following, and replied.
If I can assist you in any way, please let me know.
marinewife91 wrote...
Love your lens! I have visited your website many times ( MarineParents.com) I think it is so wonderful what you all are doing there!! When My husband first joined the Marines they did not have anything like this. Now my brother has joined the Marines and his new wife and my mom have accessed your site many times! It has been very helpful to them as they start their journey in the Corps!! Blessing to you ,
Semper Fi,
Forums
Feel free to join
A Place to Connect & Share
So . . . What Do You Think of MarineParents.com?
And I'm Not Talking About This Lens
Visit the website and stay a while, THEN come back to vote
MarineParents Online Store
Proud Parent of US Marine Bumper Sticker
USMC Proud Parent of a United States Marine features the EGA (Eagle Glove and Anchor) with a dark read flag background and white lettering. Includes www.marineparents.com web address at the bottom.
MarineParents.com Mug
Dark Red MarineParents.com Mug with Eagle Glove and Anchor (EGA) and wording "Proud Parent of a United States Marine" with the www.MarineParents.com web site address at the bottom. White letters.
Keepsake Box
Marine Parents with American Flag Background
MarineParents.com Ornament with EGA & Website
MarineParents.com Ornament with Eagle Globe and Anchor (EGA) and web site address. Includes the text "a Place to Connect & Share".
Accepting Your Donations
And Thanking YOU in Advance for Your Support!
United States Marine Corps at a Glance
The United States Marine Corps (the Marine Corps or USMC) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the U.S. In the civilian leadership structure of the United States military, the Marine Corps is a component of the Department of the Navy, often working closely with U.S. naval forces for training, transportation and logistic purposes; however, in the military leadership structure the Marine Corps is a separate b...
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We Are a Squidoo Non-profit Partner!
Create a Squidoo Lens to Help Support MarineParents.com
Now that MarineParents.com is an official Squidoo Non-profit Partner, you can help generate donations by creating your own lens!
If you do not know anything about Squidoo or how to create a lens, the information below is meant to help get you started.
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