Military Mom in Action

Category: Heroes
Published: October 2007

Kathy and Ken Buckley started sending out packages to their two sons who were serving overseas, and now they send out 1,200 a month. They share why they do it and how big things can come out of small spaces.

Kathy Buckley's organization "Military Mom in Action" began with a request for Slim Jims and cookies.

"In 2001, just before 9/11, our boys Dan and David went into basic training. After they got out of basic, we were sending them packages, and we heard how some of the guys weren't getting anything. As a matter of fact, Dan had emailed this one kid, a buddy of his, who had called home and asked for Slim Jims, Fruit Roll-Ups and chocolate chip cookies. His parents refused to send it, for whatever reason. Dan said, Mom, can you send him a box and a letter of encouragement?'"

She did, and then she and her husband Ken started sending out more... and more. "We got on the news, and people started giving us names, giving us money, giving us donations."

"Dan said this kid came up to him with this box in his hands and tears running down his cheeks, and said, Look what your mom sent me!'" Ken says.

Kathy freely admits, "At that point in time, I think that's when there was really a tug on my heart that this was what God wanted me to do. Who would have thought we would still be doing it? I don't think I ever thought it could be as big as it has gotten, which is sometimes hard because it's very time-consuming."

It has become even more time-consuming since Ken broke his arm and can't work. Kathy has had to go back to working at least forty hours a week at Lindsey's Country Store to make up the difference. Her sewing and alteration business has been put on the back burner. But the operation is still going strong, as Ken has taken the lead in making sure that the packages get out to the soldiers. "He was down here all day yesterday with the volunteers filling in for me so I could work."

At first glance, their former garage looks as if it's just a holding area for all of the things that didn't have a place in the house proper. Almost all of the wall space is hidden by floor-to-ceiling stacks of boxes, and there is something that is probably a desk hidden underneath the clutter. A narrow path leads into a back room that looks like a miniature version of a wholesale price club, with all sorts of goods lining the walls, and one lone plastic buffet table in the center. Still, there happens to be just enough room for as many as ten volunteers and a bunch of boxes. "Fifty-five boxes at a time," Kathy says.

There is a constantly-changing cadre of volunteers eager to help out: school teachers, church and youth groups, other military moms, and people who are just looking to give a little back. Kathy is very positive regarding the turnover. "They come and they go. The ones that were originally with us, we never see anymore. Everybody's lives change. When one person in our group leaves there is always somebody else waiting to take their place. It's really exciting."

Politics is put aside here, and the only concern is doing whatever they can to help make the lives of our men and women just a little bit brighter. The Buckleys really are leading by example. Should other people try to emulate what they do?

Kathy is very straightforward when addressing that question. "In some respects, I'd rather more groups not start up. Please, take advantage of the groups that are already out there. It's better to join forces, and try to get as much done, because there are so many men and women over there. It's best to take advantage, because the postage is expensive. As of last night we've spent over $100,000 in postage." One-hundred thousand dollars?

"Well, we're up to just over 1,200 boxes monthly. And now, for us, it's Christmas time, so we're trying to get letters out to all of our supporters reminding them that it's time to start thinking about sending Christmas boxes." These boxes containing Christmas cards, CDs, prepaid phone cards, toiletries, and "usually a pair of socks" cost about $35 apiece, and there's no magic sleigh to deliver them, meaning even more expensive postage.

Fortunately, they are able to defray some of the costs via their website, http://www.militarymominaction.org/. On the site, people can donate goods, purchase magnetic ribbons, or just give money through PayPal. Any donations (specific needs are listed on the site) will be put to good use.

"Well, I don't want people to think that we just send snack items, though that's the majority of it," Kathy says. "I type up letters, usually two pages front and back, which go in every single box, and we send out toiletry items, too. We've got three different companies collecting school supplies, small stuffed animals, and gently-used clothing to pass out to kids in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and the surrounding area. People need to understand that helps our military as well, because we are helping the people."

Ken makes absolutely sure to relate one story in particular: "A unit was handing out our stuffed toys to local kids, and one of the convoys was driving through town, and this little girl holding a stuffed doll walked out in front of the convoy and stopped it. She just sat down in front of the Jeep and wouldn't let them go by! One guy says, Wait a minute, I recognize her. I gave her that a couple of days ago.' So he got out with an interpreter and they went over to her to find out what was going on, and she told him that she knew someone was setting up a roadside bomb down the road, and she recognized the guys as the ones that gave her the doll, and she didn't want them to get hurt. They were able to get up and defuse it. So, yes, that kind of thing helps protect them, and that's the kind of goodwill-type thing that they need to continue to help the locals support them."

Even heroes can use all the help they can get.