WCR November Meeting 11/12: Supporting Our Troops

November is the month that Washington County Republicans has traditionally devoted to helping our men & women in military service. Join us on Saturday, November 12th at 9:00am at the Lake Elmo Inn for “Supporting Our Troops”. We will be welcoming Denise Jorgensen, President and Founder of Operation Minnesota Nice.

In the early part of 2004, founder Denise Jorgensen had a friend whose son was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. During his tour, many of their family & friends took turns sending packages of small reminders of home, and simple necessities that he might need. During a conversation with his parents, this young man mentioned that there were some soldiers who received little or no mail at all from home. They were feeling forgotten.

As a result of those words, Denise “adopted” several soldiers, and promised to send each a package every 3-4 weeks. Soon word spread about the soldiers, and the simple items that were sent. Everyone wanted to contribute, or adopt their own soldier. Within 2 months they were up to 17 soldiers stationed in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and 10 volunteers. Three years later OMN has adopted over 6,307 soldiers at 62 different packing locations – shipping out 314,379 pounds.

As long as there are brave souls serving our country in foreign lands in a time of conflict this group has committed to remain active!

We are asking our members to please check the packing list on the Operation Minnesota Nice website and bring a donation or item that can be packed. For each item that people bring, their name will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Domacin Wine Bar in Stillwater

 $15 for members, $20 non-members. Price includes full breakfast provided by Lake Elmo Inn. YOU MUST RSVP by Thursday, November 10th to attend. You can do so by Evite – please sign up for our e-mail list in order to receive the evite by sending a request to [email protected]. You can also RSVP to the meeting by e-mailing Secretary Karen Markowitz at [email protected].

Membership dues and breakfast fees can be paid at the door. Member Dues are $25 per person. Associate Membership is also offered at $15 per person for those living outside of Washington County, MN.

***Be sure to join us on Thursday, November 3rd at the Lake Elmo Inn for our educational forum on the National Popular Vote! For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://voteforum.eventbrite.com/