Events help local military, first responders

Volunteers with an area nonprofit and a local business owner want people to remember military families, first responders, teachers and other public servants when counting their blessings on Thanksgiving and when filling shopping lists afterward.

“For many military families, the holidays are the saddest days of the year. They are in an unknown city or unknown part of the world with a spouse who is deployed and have no extended family around them to celebrate with,” said Clarissa Geborkoff, vice president of a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of local military families. “Tucson Troop Support is carrying on a mission to help these families with young kids and let them know they are not alone and there are people who care for them.”

The organization provides services including social events, raffles and give-aways, support services, and free toys and school supplies through annual events and holiday parties. It also offers emergency financial assistance for local families of deployed members of the military.

At the upcoming holiday party, Geborkoff hopes to distribute 800 new toys and gifts to children of more than 175 local active military families. As a civilian who worked for the military for 35 years and was a military spouse for 20 years, Geborkoff knows how meaningful the event is to the families. (See box for details)

“The children all get together with families in the same situation that they are in. Some have no dad or mom with them, and they come with grandparents or friends. They realize that there are other kids like them,” Geborkoff said.

The children range in age from newborns through teenagers, and Tucson Troop Support requests gifts such as baby blankets, clothing and supplies for the youngest recipients and gift cards, toiletries, headphones and DVDs for preteens and teens. Stuffed animals, action figures, board games, Legos and dolls are particular favorites.

Geborkoff said visits from Santa and superheroes are highlights of the event, along with holiday shopping. With the assistance of volunteers, each child is allowed to choose and wrap a gift for each of his or her siblings. Geborkoff said this is often the only shopping opportunity these children will have, since most families are on tight budgets.

Overall, Geborkoff said the celebration is a festive way for military families to feel the support of the community during the often-difficult holiday season.

“Nobody knows what happens behind the gates. Everyone thinks that everyone is happy, and in reality, there are planes leaving and there could be dads or moms in them who are leaving their families behind. This is all about taking care of the families left behind,” she said.

Communitea pride day

For members of the military on the home front — as well as for local first responders, teachers and medical personnel — Joe Hess is brewing up gratitude at Ausperitea, a Tucson-based, grass-roots tea company. The business operates online at www.ausperitea.com and sells products at the St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market, other local farmers markets and special events.

The company is taking part in CommuniTea Pride Day on Sunday at St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market, 4280 N. Campbell Ave. There, the military, first responders, hospital employees, teachers and other public servants can get free tea, lemonade and snacks at the event. (See box for details)

Hess said the first responders and public servants he has spoken with have been both surprised and grateful to receive kudos, and he hopes the event will bring all Tucsonans closer together.

“I say, ‘You have served us well, and let us serve you well,’ because I am very grateful for all these people do,” he said.