It's Birthday Time - Our Birthday

***Check out all our amazing volunteers who came to help us celebrate our 20th birthday***

That's right! Established in June of 2004, this year marks the 20th anniversary of Troopathon! That's 20 years of supporting our troops and helping our military in every way we can.

Local news station KCRA visited Troopathon headquarters to film our 20th anniversary celebration and packing party.

We're so lucky to celebrate this 20th anniversary by hosting a massive care package party with all our best friends and loyal volunteers.

These great and hardworking folks packed up and shipped thousands of boxes for the troops, and we're already working hard on the next shipment!

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored a care package for our troops this year and over the last 20!

When you sponsor a care package, we link up your donation to a soldier, marine, airman, sailor, or coastie who has signed up for a care package on our site! Nobody gets a box that says "to a random soldier." These boxes go to a person who hears his or her name called out at mail call.

Ask any veteran, that's a feeling that can't be matched or replaced. Many of our troops serving today don't come from families that keep in touch.

For some troops the military is really the only family they have. But we're there for them. Over the years, we have sent over 1,000 tons of care packages to our troops.

Even after 20 years, we remain committed to sending support and we aren't going to stop so long as there are still troops deployed who need our love and support!

The mission continues!

New Request for a Care Package

Ding, we receive a new email requesting a care package, but to be more accurate, it’s more like ding, ding, ding and more dings!

On a daily basis, we field requests for care packages from our deployed soldiers. These requests, by-and-large come directly from our deployed troops. We also field requests from family members and even chaplains and commanders requesting support for those in their charge.

Yes, these requests are real, personal, and filled with information that makes our support job easier and more efficient. Our requests tell us who they are, where they are serving, how long they will be there, what service they represent and are often accompanied by a photo so we can put a face to the name.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, we have the opportunity to serve those who serve us. We rely on our amazing recurring supporters who sign up to send packages month after month, year after year. But our supporters who drop in to send an occasional package when the mood and budget allows are also vital to fulfilling our great mission of support.

We need you because they need us, and together our beautiful partnership can ensure that our incredible troops are not forgotten.

Who are these troops that serve half a world away keeping us safe at home? Please enjoy some photos of real troops who are currently serving that have reached out to Troopathon over the past month seeking support.

This is just a small sample of the thousands of troops seeking support from Troopathon each year.

These are the actual photos submitted to us by real troops that need real support from you. Please answer the call and support them today.

H&R Block Packing Party for our Troops

***H&R Block volunteer team shows up big with Block love for our Troops***

What makes Troopathon so special and unique is our fantastic care package sponsors and our amazing volunteers, including our dedicated volunteer partnerships. We are blessed to have the support of groups like the H& R Block who dedicate their time and talents to come in and work hard packing and prepping care packages for shipment to our troops.

Recently, local employees of H&R Block took time out of the office to come help out and thanks to them hundred of troops can soon look forward to receiving a care package from home packed full of nutritious treats, personal care items, thirst quenching drink mixes to help beat the heat and more!

H&R Block encourages volunteerism and offers the recognition of their 100 Hour Volunteer Club for those who’ve donated 100 volunteer hours or more to a 501c3 non-profit, like Michalann Archey, District General Manager, H&R Block who acted as our H&R Block coordinator for this fantastic packing party.

According to Michalann, “H&R Block actively supports various military non-profits across the United States, and we are grateful to have discovered a local non-profit that aligns with our mission.” she stated in reference to Troopathon.

Michalann, whose own father and father-in-law served in the Air Force, went on to provide a little history on H&R Block’s personal connection to military service and dedication. “The strong connection between our company and the military dates back to Henry Bloch's service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. As a navigator on B-17 bombers, he demonstrated bravery and was honored with the Air Medal for his combat missions over Germany. After the war, Henry and his brother began a business that provided bookkeeping services and tax preparation to small businesses in Kansas City. Today, we continue to honor our commitment by offering free classes to spouses of deployed military personnel through our Income Tax Course, helping them gain valuable skills in tax preparation.”

When asked how H&R Block volunteers enjoyed pitching in to help our troops, Michalann stated, “Our giveback event was stellar. It was great way to give back to others and those that had military ties felt a part of the community.”

“Supporting military troops that are deployed is of utmost importance for several reasons. Firstly, these troops put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and national security. They endure harsh conditions, sacrifice time away from their families, and face dangerous situations on a daily basis. By providing support, we show our gratitude and appreciation for their selfless service. Secondly, supporting our troops boosts morale and helps them stay motivated during challenging times. Knowing that they have the backing of their fellow citizens can provide a sense of unity and purpose. Lastly, supporting the military troops demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our nation's interests and ensuring global stability. By standing behind them, we contribute to the overall strength and resilience of our armed forces.”

Rest assured, H&R Block has stated they would love to join us again at a future date to continue volunteering and supporting our troops. Finally, Michalann asked to share this tender statement directly to our brave men and women serving.

“To our brave and dedicated troops deployed far from home,
Words alone cannot express the depth of gratitude we have for your service and sacrifice. Each day, you embody courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to protecting our nation and upholding the values we hold dear.
In the face of adversity, you stand tall, demonstrating unwavering strength and determination. Your sacrifices, both big and small, do not go unnoticed. We are forever indebted to you for the personal sacrifices you make to safeguard our freedoms.
Know that we are thinking of you and praying for your safety every day. We understand the challenges you face and the hardships you endure, and we stand by your side, offering our unwavering support and appreciation.
During this time of separation from loved ones, we want you to know that you are not alone. The entire nation stands with you, united in our admiration for your dedication and bravery. Your commitment to duty inspires us all and reminds us of the noble ideals we hold dear.
Please take care of yourselves and each other as you fulfill your mission. We eagerly await your safe return and look forward to welcoming you home with open arms.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your service and sacrifice. Stay strong, stay safe, and know that you are cherished and valued.
With utmost respect and gratitude,”

Michalann Archey
District General Manager
H&R Block

Just look at the big smiles on the faces of our H&R Block volunteers. Not only are they helping our troops but they are doing it with love and dedication and our troops will certainly feel that love when they crack open one of these special care packages, personally addressed and containing heartfelt letters of support. We wish we could give a great big hug to all of our troops but we consider our Troopathon care packages a long distance hug from home, and our troops do too!

Troopathon Awarded Highest Charity Ratings

Troopathon was recently honored to be awarded "Top-Rated Nonprofit" status by Great Nonprofits (GNP) for the 11th year in a row!

GNP, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations, uses your feedback about us to judge our rating, so THANK YOU for the positive posts you made about us.

Each year, we must receive a minimum number of reviews. If we fail to get enough reviews, our top-rated status will expire! So please head over to our Great Nonprofits Profile and make your voice heard! You can check out all the amazing reviews from volunteers, sponsors and the actual troops who have received care packages from Troopathon. Leave Troopathon a positive review today to help share all the good we do for our troops!

We are also proud to announce that Troopathon has been rated 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator.

This score is based on key factors like transparency, accountability and finance, culture & community, and leadership & adaptability.

Four stars is the highest award achievable for groups rated by Charity Navigator so we're extremely proud to obtain this status!

We know it’s important to make sure your support dollars go to greats causes and by supporting Troopathon you have peace of mind knowing our mission of supporting our deployed troops is being fulfilled in an ethical, efficient, and transparent manner.