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SoldierStrong (formerly SoldierSocks) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to improve the lives of the men and the women of the United States Armed Forces.〔http://www.soldiersocks.org/?page_id=6158〕 That mission has taken several key forms since SoldierStrong was founded in 2009. SoldierStrong has provided basic supplies to frontline troops, shipped holiday items to troops and veterans, and now provides cutting-edge medical rehabilitation devices to injured and paralyzed veterans,〔http://www.soldiersocks.org/?page_id=7914〕 along with scholarships for veterans seeking to finish their education with a focus on continuing their public service in non-military careers.〔http://www.soldiersocks.org/?page_id=5593〕 ==History== SoldierStrong got its start in Stamford, Connecticut in 2009.〔http://www.connecticutplus.com/cplus/information/news/Local_2/Stamford-resident-launches-non-profit-organization-to-aide-troops-serving-abroad63176317.shtml.〕 The organization was co-founded by philanthropist and businessman Chris Meek in response to a July 2009 letter from Sergeant Major Luke Converse. Converse requested help in obtaining socks and baby wipes for his Marines serving in Afghanistan〔http://www.soldiersocks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=96.〕 who were having difficulty getting these types of supplies at forward operating locations. Shortly after receipt of this letter, Meek formed a 501(c)(3) to help raise funds and gather basic supplies for the troops. In its first six weeks, SoldierStrong shipped over 1,100 pounds of supplies to Sgt Major Converse and his US Marine Corps unit fighting in Afghanistan. By December 2014, SoldierStrong had shipped over 25 tons of personal hygienic supplies to US Armed Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, supplying over 60,000 pounds of supplies to 74 units fighting overseas.〔http://www.thedailystamford.com/neighbors/stamford-charity-soldiers.〕 SoldierStrong broadened 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.〔http://www.stamfordplus.com/stm/information/nws1/publish/News_1/SoldierSocks-and-SoldierSanta-embarks-on-area-drivers-to-help-troops10839.shtml〕 As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wound down, SoldierStrong expanded its mission to aid returning military servicemen and women with innovative rehabilitation technology and educational opportunities through its SoldierSuit〔http://www.soldiersocks.org/?page_id=7914〕 and SoldierScholar〔http://www.soldiersocks.org/?page_id=5593〕 programs. SoldierStrong has expanded its original Northeast focus and has held drives countrywide from Boston, Massachusetts to Alamo, Texas to Hollywood, California.〔http://www.greenwich-post.com/2599/vineyard-vines-helps-soldier-socks-expand/〕 Fundraising efforts have been made by Elementary and High Schools, Colleges and Universities, Cub Scout groups, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, nursing homes, Police and Fire Departments and Fortune 500 companies.〔http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/SoldierSocks-to-hold-drives-in-the-area-861699.php.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「SoldierStrong」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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