March 17, 2010 -
Operation Popcorn Hits $10 Million!
The numbers are now in!   They did it again!  They just can't stop themselves!  Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and good people down most streets in America got together in Fall of 2009 and put together over $10,000,000 worth of trail mix and Trails-End popcorn for SupportOurTroops.Org to send to the troops all over the world.A testament to what Americans really think of their troops.Just look at the amazing history of this program.In 2007, Operation Popcorn launched in the middle of a recession, good Americans sent $5,000,000 to the troops!
Then in 2008 the economy imploded.  So what did the people do? They bought an additional $1,000,000 dollars more stuff to send their troops, for a total of $6,000,000 in 2008!
Next in 2009 the recession and unemployment worsened. They're reaction? Send $4 million more to the troops for a total of $10,000,000 in just that one year! A 66% increase over the previous year!
Are there amazing people in this country or what?We could write a thousand words ourselves about the meaningfulness of this to the troops. But you'll enjoy far more enjoy reading an anthology of a few of their notes and emails:
"Thank you! This morning someone brought me a tin of Trails End Caramel Corn and told me it was a gift from you for my service to our country. Tears came to my eyes! Your gift of recognition was so nice. Thank you!" ~~ SMSgt Paula --- "Hello, Just read the article regarding the Boy Scout popcorn fundraiser. My son is stationed at Camp Lejeune and it was quite a nice surprise in his day when his sgt gave it to him. I received a text within 5 min of him receiving it, telling me about it. Thanks for remembering our troops and my son. You DO make a difference in their lives! With much appreciation" ~~ Deanna G.
"Hi, I am a Soldier in Iraq. We Love Your Popcorn!!!! We Need Your Popcorn!!!! Every now and then we get care packages with [your] Popcorn. We love the Sweet taste of the Kettle Popcorn. The problem is we only had a couple of pack and it is gone. Now we are all craving it. Can you help us out?" ~~ SFC Benjamin ------, Iraq.Â
"Your [popcorn] service makes a world of difference and helps to boost the morale of the service men and women throughout the world." ~~ Robert ----, Admiral
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness to the needs of our troops. The kindness you have shown makes a difference in the day-to-day lives of our service members. God Bless you, and please keep up with the things you are doing." ~~ Lt. Ronald ----, USAF Wing Chaplain
"It is always a great thing when we can show our support and loyalty to our men and women of service, and I thank you for your hard work and commitment to our troops."Â ~~ a state Governor
"My sailors and I appreciate your thoughtfulness and the hard work that went into making your donation possible. Your patriotic support is a great encouragement to all." ~~ Capt. David -----, USN
"Boy Scouts, SupportOurTroops.Org, and Trails End Popcorn Company: A short note to pass on our sincerest gratitude to you all for donating thousands of cases of Trails End popcorn. We received your shipment a couple of weeks ago and have been busy distributing it to the work centers, MWR centers, military Passenger terminals, etc. and have heard nothing but praise for you and the support you have for our US forces. Many of us were Scouts and remember the great things we did as young men & women, it is fantastic to see the Scouting program continuing to support the troops. Again, our sincerest gratitude to you all for the support of our forces both deployed and at home. Our Soldiers, Airman, Marines and Sailors thank you and say "Job Well Done!" Respectfully, ~~ Commander, Baghdad
"On behalf of the USO, I would tike to thank you for your generous donation of 15,720 packets of Trails-End Microwave Popcorn to Operation US0 Care Package. These items have been placed in care packages for distribution to our troops sending in the war against terrorism. We rely on contributions from companies such as yours to help us lift the morale and meet the many needs of our soldiers here and abroad."Â ~~ Edward P----, President, US0 Worldwide Operations
"On behalf of our troops at the 163d Reconnaissance Wing, CA Air National Guard, we want to say Thank You! Please pass on our sincere gratitude to the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of America for their hard work raising money to donate popcorn for our troops. What a wonderful program and way to thank our men and women and their families for their to our country by providing them with this treat! Your kindness is sincerely appreciated by our members, their families and countless American Troops serving our nation around the world." Sincerely, ~~ Debbie H---- Wing Family Program Coordinator
"For three consecutive years, SupportOurTroops.Org and its affiliates have collected and shipped millions of dollars of product to U.S. service members serving abroad, whether it is the "Warfighter" serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, the war-wounded being treated in medical treatment facilities around the world, or Sailors and Marines serving on ships deployed worldwide. Your organization's can-do spirit and steadfast efforts have improved the quality of life of thousands of troops each year. Through your personal efforts and that of your affiliates, your work serves as a constant reminder to those serving so far from home that they are supported by communities and neighborhoods nationwide. On behalf of troops serving worldwide, please pass on to your staff and your affiliates a sincere 'Thank You' for the unyielding support that they continue to provide."Â ~~Â Bill W----, Navy MWR Command
"Just wanted to pass along my genuine thanks and appreciation for the caramel corn! Very nice surprise to say the least!!!" ~~ Tara ---, USAF