The purpose of Valentines for Soldiers-Houston is to send thanks and appreciation to our troops and veterans, and to raise money to help support them as they transition to civilian life.
The event began as a casual gathering among friends in 2010; a group of about thirty folks, all part of the Houston food scene on Twitter, met for drinks at a local bar, drank cocktails, ate cake, and made valentines to send to troops stationed abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Since then, the event has grown in scope and participation, culminating in 2012's event which
had 350 folks in attendance and raised more than $4000! Close to $1000 of that went to cover the
cost of shipping 75 boxes to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. The rest--$3336--was donated to
the Wounded Warrior Project.
We are proud to share a sampling of the letters we received from soldiers who received our packages in 2012:
Hello everyone from Valentines for Soldiers!
Everything you sent was perfect and the crew was very excited!! Everything eatable was eaten by the end of the day. The home made goodies were awesome!!
The real gift inside the boxes were all the beautiful, creative Valentines! They were incredible. It's nice to know that people are thinking about us here in Afghanistan.
Thanks for taking time and money out of your life to do this and send the items to fill our day with smiles. It takes special people to make time to do these types of selfless acts.
Thanks again, it really does mean so much!!
Leon Banta
GySgt USMC
Camp Leatherneck AFG
I wanted to drop you a line to thank you for the wonderful care package. Some of the goodies were shared with several of my co-workers here in Kabul. Thank you so much for your support.
As you know, this is a NATO mission here in Afghanistan and there are soldiers here from 36 different countries. They work alongside the U.S. effort and they are in awe of the support that the U.S. soldiers receive. I truly believe that is a major factor in what makes our military the world's greatest. So, thank you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Fisher
KAIA (IJC)
Bonjour,
I just received a package today at SHAPE/NATO, Belgium and I wanted to say thank you all for the work you do. It was the end of my work day and I went to my box to check my mail expecting to find my internet bill, but instead I found a package slip and a box of goodies. Instantly, a smile was put upon my face and although the words thank you seem so small, "THANK YOU" you really made my day! It made me proud to be an American serving the best country in the world! Thank You All! Au revoir!
Very Respectfully,
Steven Arreola
SGT, USA
SHAPE/NATO, Belgium
Thank you very much for the packages. My soldiers here at COP Yoseuf Khel, A Co, 1-2 Infantry received them a few days ago. Thank you for your continued support of Soldiers serving overseas. The packages are a thoughtful act that has raised morale among the Platoon during this cold harsh winter. Thank you once again for everything you do to support Soldiers.
LT Sal Jaramillo
Platoon leader
2/A/1-2 IN, TF 3-66 AR
Today, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a package from you and the Valentines for Soldiers, Houston, program. I will be sure to share the snacks with the many soldiers in Task Force Lobos. Task Force Lobos is a 600+ person Army Aviation unit that flies helicopters all around Northern Afghanistan.
I am from Texas, but have yet to live there in quite a while. I, along with many others, look forward to coming home this summer. The package was a welcome break from the grind, so I thank you again.
Fly Army,
MAJ Jason Arriaga
Executive Officer
Task Force 2-227th AVN
The event began as a casual gathering among friends in 2010; a group of about thirty folks, all part of the Houston food scene on Twitter, met for drinks at a local bar, drank cocktails, ate cake, and made valentines to send to troops stationed abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Since then, the event has grown in scope and participation, culminating in 2012's event which
had 350 folks in attendance and raised more than $4000! Close to $1000 of that went to cover the
cost of shipping 75 boxes to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. The rest--$3336--was donated to
the Wounded Warrior Project.
We are proud to share a sampling of the letters we received from soldiers who received our packages in 2012:
Hello everyone from Valentines for Soldiers!
Everything you sent was perfect and the crew was very excited!! Everything eatable was eaten by the end of the day. The home made goodies were awesome!!
The real gift inside the boxes were all the beautiful, creative Valentines! They were incredible. It's nice to know that people are thinking about us here in Afghanistan.
Thanks for taking time and money out of your life to do this and send the items to fill our day with smiles. It takes special people to make time to do these types of selfless acts.
Thanks again, it really does mean so much!!
Leon Banta
GySgt USMC
Camp Leatherneck AFG
I wanted to drop you a line to thank you for the wonderful care package. Some of the goodies were shared with several of my co-workers here in Kabul. Thank you so much for your support.
As you know, this is a NATO mission here in Afghanistan and there are soldiers here from 36 different countries. They work alongside the U.S. effort and they are in awe of the support that the U.S. soldiers receive. I truly believe that is a major factor in what makes our military the world's greatest. So, thank you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Fisher
KAIA (IJC)
Bonjour,
I just received a package today at SHAPE/NATO, Belgium and I wanted to say thank you all for the work you do. It was the end of my work day and I went to my box to check my mail expecting to find my internet bill, but instead I found a package slip and a box of goodies. Instantly, a smile was put upon my face and although the words thank you seem so small, "THANK YOU" you really made my day! It made me proud to be an American serving the best country in the world! Thank You All! Au revoir!
Very Respectfully,
Steven Arreola
SGT, USA
SHAPE/NATO, Belgium
Thank you very much for the packages. My soldiers here at COP Yoseuf Khel, A Co, 1-2 Infantry received them a few days ago. Thank you for your continued support of Soldiers serving overseas. The packages are a thoughtful act that has raised morale among the Platoon during this cold harsh winter. Thank you once again for everything you do to support Soldiers.
LT Sal Jaramillo
Platoon leader
2/A/1-2 IN, TF 3-66 AR
Today, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a package from you and the Valentines for Soldiers, Houston, program. I will be sure to share the snacks with the many soldiers in Task Force Lobos. Task Force Lobos is a 600+ person Army Aviation unit that flies helicopters all around Northern Afghanistan.
I am from Texas, but have yet to live there in quite a while. I, along with many others, look forward to coming home this summer. The package was a welcome break from the grind, so I thank you again.
Fly Army,
MAJ Jason Arriaga
Executive Officer
Task Force 2-227th AVN
