Donations Update

Just letting everyone know that we heard from the guys and they received their boots and Under Armour, just in time for Christmas and the cold Afghanistan winter weather! They're thankful and happy to have new gear.

So if you're one of the many people who have generously donated, from my family to yours, thank you very much. You've helped make a soldier's life a little bit better while he is busy keeping the rest of us safe. 

If you haven't donated but read this blog, please consider making a donation. Any amount is appreciated and put to good use. Everyone can manage to spare a few (or many) dollars by not buying a pack of cigarettes or a beer at the bar or a Starbucks coffee.

Alternate Ways to Donate

My family and I truly appreciate the donations that we have received and the men who benefit from those donations are even more grateful. 

If you are interested in a more personal way to donate that would involve contact with an actual soldier, please consider adopting a soldier from Adopt a US Soldier. From their website: 

Thousands of miles away from home, many in combat zones, our soldiers need our support. You have no idea how treasured a single letter is! Adopt A US Soldier is dedicated to connecting supporters of our troops, just like you, with deployed soldiers the world over.
 

Staffed fully by volunteers, AAUSS has helped thousands of soldiers find friendship, support, and a much loved and much needed touch of home.
Adopt A US Soldier is active in over 100 Countries and has thousands of active volunteers supporting our troops by adopting one soldier, two soldiers, or even an entire platoon. Feel free to look around and see how you can get involved and easily adopt your own soldier. There are many other ways to get involved as well.

If you are considering adopting a soldier, know that:

Adopting a soldier is easy to do, won't take up much of your time, and there is not much financial obligation beyond the price of some stamps. You don't need to feel obligated to send gifts or packages, although they would be greatly appreciated by your soldier, A simple letter, even just once each week, means the entire world to our troops. 

If you have further questions, read here.

ACTS Match; Donations Update

From my dad:


"Home from an amazing day spent with 60+ motivated shooters that showed up to support the PFC Shane M. Reifert Memorial ACTS Match. Thanks to all who came out to support this cause. This match was to support Shane's brothers of the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Co. 1/327 1BCT 101st ABN Bushmasters! 


Thanks to USMC Veteran Jon Cross and Barb Stockford, Navy Mom, and all the fine folks that helped to make this match happen!" 


My dad was truly impressed with everyone who showed up and all of the money that was raised. 


DONATIONS UPDATE:
Shipments of top quality all-terrain boots were sent off to Shane's brothers. We ordered them each a pair of Asolo TPS 520 GV hiking boots from REI.

They will also be receiving sets of Under Armour to protect them from the upcoming cold winter weather in Afghanistan. We're hoping that these things will reach them before Christmas, but it's tough to tell how long it will take for everything to get to them. 


I am privileged to communicate with some of Shane's brothers in Bravo Company online. They are humble, kind, gracious men. They never ask for anything; there's never anything that they want or need, even though I tell them that, legally, the money we have raised cannot be spent on anyone but them. I'm sure it cannot be easy for them to contact my family and me, but they do. They check in and ask if we're doing okay and genuinely care about my response. They are planning trips to Michigan to visit after they come home from deployment. I'm honored that they spend some of their precious time speaking with me, when they could be speaking with family or friends instead. Each one of them holds a special place in my heart and I'm glad that I am able to get to know them. I'm even more glad that we're able to help them. 


OPERATION BULLDOG:
If anyone is interested in seeing some of the men with whom Shane fought, please watch this YouTube video of Operation Bulldog. 

Donations Update

Today my dad shipped out the first of what will be many packages to the men of Bravo Company. It wasn't anything fancy -- shampoo, deodorant, jerky, candy, and baby wipes -- but it's a start. The packages will hopefully be arriving within the next 2-3 weeks. 

Stay tuned for what else all of your donations are able to purchase for Shane's brothers.We have received an unexpected amount of donations and know that Shane would be happy that even after his death he is able to help his brothers.

Update on Donations

Please click the link to learn how to donate directly on this blog or where donors may send checks if they choose. 

Donate in Shane's Memory

Donate in Shane's Memory

Many have started to inquire if they can send flowers and to what location.  

My family and I have discussed this option and have decided that, in lieu of flowers, we will be accepting donations that will directly benefit Shane's brothers.

While Shane's fight has ended, his brothers are still fighting in Afghanistan out of the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. 100% of the donations will purchase these brave men equipment, gear, clothing (such as gloves or other cold weather gear), or anything else that would benefit them as they continue their fight in Afghanistan. We feel that this is what Shane would have truly wanted.  My family and I will be personally overseeing that your donations are getting supplies that Shane's brothers need. 

Donors should be aware that donations may be used to support other soldiers, dependent upon the number received.  


How Can I Donate?

You can donate directly via this blog site, using the PayPal "Donate Now" button.

1.  Click the "Donate Now" button, located on the right hand side of the screen.  

2.  Enter your donation amount.

3.  Click "Update Total."

4.  If you have a PayPal account, use the "Log In to PayPal" box and enter your account information. 

5.  If you will be donating by credit card, click "Continue" under the text "Don't have a PayPal account" in order to donate.  

UPDATE

If you do not have a credit card or PayPal account but still wish to make a donation, you can make the check out to Kathleen Reifert (my and Shane's mom) and send it to:

105 Fairbanks
Suite 200
Marine City, MI 48039


Please be aware that even though the check is to my mom, this is at this time the donations are going into a joint back account she shares with my brother. 100% of all donations will directly benefit Shane's brothers who are still fighting.