Marine Moms-Bethesda is a loosely knit group of volunteers
consisting of active and inactive duty military family members, former military family members,
Veterans, and patriotic troop supporters who receive a grateful “thank you” from those we serve as our
compensation.
Monetary and in-kind donations for the luncheons come from our luncheon crew volunteers as well as local and nationwide supporters (our "Elfs"). Website
maintenance, postage, printing costs, phone calls, and gas money are out of
pocket. Server space and domain name fees are donated.
***Every penny donated to
Marine Moms-Bethesda is used for our mission.***
Marine Moms-Bethesda is not an IRS recognized 501(c)3 and is
not connected to or endorsed by the USMC or the DoD in any way.
We do not and cannot solicit donations. Everything that is passed on to us for the luncheons are "from the heart."
MM-B held 6 luncheons in 2007and served more than 305 recovering
combat Veterans, their family members, and staff in 2007.
In 2008 we held 8 luncheons.
In 2009 Marine
Moms-Bethesda:
Held
12 luncheons, 7 on 5 East and 5 at Mercy Hall.
Maintained
a website.
Emailed monthly newsletters before and
after each luncheon.
Collected
and distributed monthly notes of encouragement and support to the wounded,
injured, and ill combat Veterans at Bethesda NNMC.
Received
the ESGR’s DoD “Seven Seals Award”.
For 2010 we have scheduled 16 luncheons. .As of 6.12.2010 seven luncheons have been completed.
The cost to do what we do averaged $8.54 per person in
2007 using the official headcount of 305 that we based
our shopping on.
In 2009 the average was $6.97 per person for the hospital ward luncheons and $6.50 per person for the Mercy Hall luncheons and we served *many* more..
This cost includes the luncheon, the pantry items, and
the gift bags.
Marine Moms-Bethesda provides not only food and niftie-gifties, we also provide a shoulder when needed, information to new family arrivals, an opportunity for family members to connect and share with each other during the luncheons, a distraction from the every day hospital routine, and an "adopted Mom" for one day a month at our luncheons for the out-patients until they leave Mercy Hall.
Our compensation for doing this are the smiles, the thank
you’s, and the hugs we receive when we hold a luncheon.
From a Marine who was recently medically discharged after living at Mercy Hall for a year:
"I am so thankful for your time and caring ways:) You
ladies make me smile:)"
It is an honor to serve the troops, the families and the staff at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center.
For more information about our accounting click here.
