BR Soldier Outreach August 2023 Update: Fundraisers, Care Packages & Events

Hello Soldier Supporters!

The first half of 2023 has been very busy for us!

In May, we had our first inaugural sporting clay tournament, Operation Reload for Heroes, at Bridgeview Gun Club in Port Allen. Lots of fun was had at this friendly competition, with Turner Industries winning first prize. It was a very successful fundraiser for BR SOLDIER OUTREACH, raising over $6,000.00, which will be put to excellent use for postage to send more care packages.

Thank you to Screen Tech Promotions for making our great-looking tshirts, and to Michele Southern Plumlee,  Eagle 98.1 Program Director and Guaranty Media Creative Services Director, for interviewing our President, Christy Smith, to get the word out on this event.

Listen to their interview here: https://eagle981.com/interview-br-soldier-outreach-operation-reload-for-heroes/   and advertising for us.  A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS! Looking forward to next year’s event being even bigger and better!  Save the date – May 17, 2023!

Also, in May, we opened our booth at The Artist’s Loft Gifts and Antiques, located at 7126 Antioch Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70817. Here shoppers can choose from our awesome assortment of BR SOLDIER OUTREACH merchandise, including wreaths and jewelry, for any upcoming gift-giving occasions.

October should be super busy as early shopping for Christmas – sign up to volunteer in our booth by emailing Rebecca@brsoldieroutreach.com or by following this link:  BRSO volunteers: BRSO volunteers (signupgenius.com)

On August 5, we stuffed 364 care packages for military units in undisclosed locations.

Postage was $1,434.01 to send 797.7 pounds of goodies! We know these care packages will be well received and appreciated! Our servicemembers’ faces light up when they receive love from home!

Volunteers from Westlake Corporation in Port Allen and Geismar joined us, as well as volunteers from Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. We love seeing new faces and sharing the opportunity to support our military!

Also, at our August 5 stuffing event, BR SOLDIER OUTREACH was presented with a check for $900 from the Military Officers Association of America, Greater Baton Rouge Chapter. We are greatly appreciative of our partnership with MOAA.  Thank you for our continued partnership.

Let’s all send prayers and healing vibes to Allen, husband of our Founder and CEO Christy, who had back surgery. We hope he is up and running soon again to lead us in prayer before our next stuffing event.

Our next stuffing event will be November 4 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at our warehouse, which is located at 6150 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. We will have more information coming soon about any special requests for items to include. Sign up for this event here  BRSO volunteers: BRSO volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Now, who wants a chance to win $500 AND support the Marine Corps League, Choctaw Detachment?? Contact Christy at 225-936-1161 to purchase raffle tickets. Your donation of $20 gets you a chance to win a 1^st Place prize of $500, 2^nd Place $300, and 3^rd Place $100! Drawings will be held on October 3, November 10, and December 5, 2023, and the proceeds will go to hospitalized vets, scholarships, detachment operations, and Toys 4 Tots.

As always, we appreciate the support from our community in helping us serve and support our military. Thank you for joining us!

Wondering where you fit in? Here is a list of upcoming events where we would love to see you. No mistakes can be made, and all help is appreciated!!!!

Upcoming events:

• September 24 Garage sale booth fundraiser @ The Artist’s Loft Gifs & Antiques, 7126 Antioch Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70817.  We will need volunteers to help pack and load items to bring to The Loft, as well as work our booth at the sale. BRSO volunteers: BRSO volunteers (signupgenius.com)
  Oct. 31 Leftover HALLOWEEN CANDY, our soldiers love them! Instead of dumping your kids’ overflow candy in the breakroom at work – let us pick it up! We can include it in our November stuffing.
• Nov 3  We will have a cleanup day at the warehouse, 6150 Greenwell Springs, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, from 9 to 11.
• Nov 4 We stuff care packages for our deployed men and women at the warehouse, 6150 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 9 to 11.
  

Louisiana Nursery Ladies’ Night Out

• Nov 9 – Perkins Rd.
• Nov 14 – Coursey Blvd
• Nov 16 – LA-42, Prairieville

The Artist’s Loft Gifts &  Antiques, 7126 Antioch Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70817, Open Thursday – Saturday, 9-5 p.m.  Visit BR SOLDIER OUTREACH as a permanent vendor here. Great air-conditioned place to visit.  **always need volunteers**

BRSO volunteers: BRSO volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Thanks, Julio Cazes, a decorated Marine Veteran, for his service and for all the community service and lives he touched. Please pray for Lindsey and their family.

https://www.wilbertservices.com/obituary/jewel-julio-cazes

BRSO Drop-Off Locations

• Starbucks Bluebonnet & Perkins Baton Rouge, LA
• Holmes Building Materials  7835 Airline Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA
• Humana 10330 Airline Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 
• Istrouma Baptist Church 10500 Sam Rushing Dr. Baton Rouge, LA
• The Artist’s Loft Gifts & Antiques, 7126 Antioch Rd. Baton Rouge, LA- BR SOLDIER OUTREACH booth
• Bridgeview Gun Club 1365 Northwest Dr. Port Allen, LA
  Sharon Baptist Church 9433 Section Rd. Port Allen, LA
• Higher Destiny Church 600 Florida Ave. SW Denham Springs, LA
• Holmes Building Materials 1102 Florida Ave. SE Denham Springs, LA
• Zachary Farmer’s Market— Lee Street Zachary, LA
• Ms. Nita Edwards – Zachary Farmer’s Market— Lee Street Zachary, LA
• Brian’s Habanero Honey 
• Zachary Fire Department 4525 Main Street Zachary, LA

The more drop-off locations, the greater the opportunity for BRSO to be ready when our deployed men and women call on us! If you would like to become a drop-off location or schedule a pick-up, please contact Raquel Guidry for more details.