SoldierSanta is a

501(c)(3) A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...

non-profit organization that supports United States soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan by shipping holiday gifts during the Christmas and holiday season.

History

In 2009, Financial Services Executive

Chris Meek Christopher Meek is an American philanthropist and finance executive and author. Meek is the co-founder and chairman of SoldierStrong, a charitable organization which provides support for U.S. service members and veterans. He is also the co-found ...

formed the non-profit organization

Soldiersocks SoldierStrong (formerly SoldierSocks) is a Stamford, Connecticut based 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to improve the lives of the men and the women of the United States Armed Forces. The mission has taken several key forms si ...

in response to a July 2009 letter from Sergeant Major Like Converse who requested help in obtaining socks and baby wipes for his Marines serving in Afghanistan. Upon receipt of this letter, Chris soon formed a 501(c)(3) to help raise funds and gather basic supplies for the troops. As SoldierSocks grew, it expanded its reach in the fall of 2010 to include a new initiative with a similar objective. The group created SoldierSanta in an effort to send gifts to the troops for them to open during the holiday season. Corporate sponsors such as Sports Illustrated Magazine, Cablevision,

Conair Corporation Conair Corporation is an American company based in Stamford, Connecticut which sells small appliances, personal care products, and health and beauty products for both professionals and consumers. It was founded in 1959 and has since expanded to ...

, Borders Group Books and Connecticut-based

Newman’s Own Newman's Own is an American food company headquartered in Connecticut. Founded in 1982 by actor Paul Newman and author A. E. Hotchner, the company donates all of its after-tax profits to charity through the Newman's Own Foundation, a private non ...

all joined to lend a hand in this new program. The number of corporate and business sponsors continues to grow and so too does the organizations reach. Relying on contributions and gift donations, SoldierSanta sends gifts such as an

iPod The iPod is a discontinued series of portable media players and multi-purpose mobile devices designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The first version was released on October 23, 2001, about months after the Macintosh version of iTunes ...

or DVD to American troops in an effort to make the holiday season special.

References

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External links

Soldier Santa

Soldier Socks
Charities based in Connecticut Organizations based in Stamford, Connecticut United States military support organizations Organizations established in 2009 2009 establishments in Connecticut