Want Soldier's Angels To Win More?

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

UPDATED AND BUMPED

As I noted here, Patti Patton-Bader has been nominated as part of the Most Popular Mom competition. It has entered a new phase, and you can still vote for her. Yes, the site is intrusive, but no law that I know requires you to provide marketers with legitimate information. So, please, go vote early and often!

LW

UPDATE: Per a comment, I want to add that the $5,000.00 won in the previous phase of the contest was used to buy 1,000 sweats for use by medevaced service members and veterans. To quote MaryAnn (who I should have linked to in the first place):

The America's Favorite Mom Contest continues in April, and this time the prize money is $25,000.

In the world of Soldiers' Angels, $25,000 can buy 425 Valour-IT laptops for our wounded hereos. It can buy 500 wounded hero backpacks to send to those most in need. It can buy 50 airline tickets for families and soldiers in need to get back and forth in emergency situations.

The money IS going to Soldier's Angels, and your help is needed. Please, continue to vote, vote early, vote often (Hey, we are based in Chicago after all) so that this next prize, the grand prize, can do some very good things for those who serve or have served.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2819/28276732

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Want Soldier's Angels To Win More?:

Comments

[tankerbrosbrat]

Thanks, LW! Patti DID win the $5,000 for March, thanks to all who voted. This mon th the BIG prize is $25,000, and voting ends on 25th April.

As for the registration 'thing'? Yes, it is a pain but I don't know if they do collect the info for marketing, because according to MY registration details I have only a "Box #" in California, and a creative phone number, too. ;)

[AFSister]

Did SA win the $5000.... or did Patti? Same with the $25.

Is SA getting the kudos, or Patti? Patti is. I just hope she's using the money for SA, because if it wasn't for SA, she wouldn't have been nominated at all.

Sorry to sound bitter, but there are a lot of GREAT mom's out there who never get an ounce of the recognition she does, which is a cryin' shame, imho.

[Laughing Wolf]

AFSister, I am sorry for you do indeed sound bitter here, and I do agree that there are a lot of great moms out there who do not get recognition, and who's son's may or may not have nominated them for this. In this case, please check the site, she was nominated by her son. Yes, the money raised is going to Soldier's Angels, and the $5k just raised this way went to some very special packs. The $25k for this portion will also go to do some things for troops and veterans. I admit I should have taken the time to put in more detail, and will rectify that soonest.

LW

[MaryAnn]

This isn't about Patti. It's about rasing money.

I've already received a couple of hundred pairs of sweats purchased with the first prize money for the patients here in Germany.

I hate to say it, but it's a drop in the bucket. We currently have over 500 patients coming in each month.

It's still cold and wintery here in Germany and it's already in the 90s in Iraq, so the temperature change is quite dramatic. The guys are shivering in their timbers here and really appreciate the clothing provided by the DoD as well as organizations like SA.

I can assure you they don't even know who Patti is. We don't go around advertising who we are. We're here to serve them, not to pick up any kudos or thanks.

That having been said, if I'm asked to speak or attend some dopey official function, do I go if I think it will raise awareness/money?

You bet I'll go whore for these guys. And honored to do it.

I guess it's because there is nothing that can happen to the human body in a war zone that I have not seen. Nothing. Imagine the worst thing you can and multiply by a thousand. Over the years I have spent time talking with hundreds of guys who just lost their friends. I won't even go into those stories. Let's just say a while back I bought a plane ticket for a guy so he could go home while on con leave. He had just lost 5 of his friends in an ambush. You might be familiar with the incident. B5 posted the video of the medevac op here recently. He was on one of those birds.

And speaking of Moms, I talk to them all the time on the phone. Sometimes while holding the hands of their unconscious sons. I talk to Dads whose voices are shaking and it breaks my heart because I know they're trying to stay strong.

I wouldn't be doing any of this if it weren't for Patti and the support provided through SA on behalf of its donors.

Excuse me while I go call a Dad who's worried about his son who recently saw his friends get blown up. You know, people with real problems.

[defendusa]

MaryAnn,
Thanks for having the stamina and mental capacity to help our guys. The volunteers at SA(all) have a huge ability to be compassionate and get things done. I do what I can, but you guys at SA are very special. (I tried to get in touch with an Army Liason when I was at Landstuhl for a short time two years ago so I could volunteer for the troops, but I guess I didn't know the right people as it was tough to even get my foot in the door let alone offer to help!). I did bump into some guys on the trail to town and we chatted. I just KNOW the clothes they were wearing were from SA.
Don't let the shallow people get you down...

[SemperFi Wife]

AFSister,
The very idea that Patti is doing something shady with the money is outrageous.

Knowing both Patti and MaryAnn (and adoring them both for a variety of reasons), your comment shows a fundamental lack of awareness.

And I am a Mom with a son in the sandbox. And I have voted for Patti several times for this competition. I think you owe an apology. You could have done your homework first...

[tankerbrosbrat]

Mea culpa...I guess I could have made it clearer in my first comment that yes, while this particular contest does require a vote for Patti as America's Favorite Mom (nominated by her oldest veteran son, a vote for Patti is, in fact, a vote for Soldiers' Angels. I happen to know that every dime Patti - as the public face of SA - has ever won, has been used in the SA work. Period.

Any award Patti has ever accepted she has done so on behalf of SA.

Quite apart from all the things that MaryAnn described that she does in Germany with our wounded, and the supplies she uses, as a representative of SA,(Mary Ann, you ROCK! Thank you...xoxox) every single dollar SA gets, goes to all sorts of "invisible" programs that SA funds that only the direct recipients get to hear about. Yes, there is the Valour-IT, and yes, there are the "May We Never Forget" commemorative coins to the precious families of the fallen, and living trees as a very small token of the country's respect for their sacrifice, and the Patches program that gives special teddy bears to the children of our fallen heroes - all through the Living Legend team; there is support for the expectant families through the Operation Top Knot team programs; there is, as Mary Ann mentioned, flights for families of the wounded, emergency supplies for military families affected by natural (and other)disasters within America, whose breadwinners are overseas; there are supplies/support for our beloved K9 teams (all members.lol); there are the vet packs and supplies given to our veterans at numerous stand downs that SA VA teams contribute their time and their hearts to around the country; there are the ever-needed phone cards so our deployed can call their loved ones at home (I don't know the numbers for that one but I DO know they are always a much appreciated item.) There is the Blanket of Hope team, which hand sews personal (and prayed-over every-stitch) blankets for our wounded and their loved ones.

The list of things that donor dollars go to is never-ending. This is just a snapshot. This is all besides the millions of hours - volunteer - by the 180,000+ volunteer Angels around the world. No money changes hands in exchange for those hours, as the Angels give of their own money and from their hearts for their individually adopted troops. Those interactions are free, and priceless.

Every single member in SA IS volunteer. NOBODY makes a dime, even as what we do gain (and yes, I am one of the foreign SA's.lol) is immeasurable on any scale - monetarily or otherwise.

SA was created by Patti to address a need - a need to make sure that "No soldier goes unloved, no soldier walks alone."

I did not intend to hijack this thread,(sorry LW and B5) but I am well aware - especially living waaaaaaay over here - that many have no idea what all goes on behind the scenes within SA to support our troops.

Because all this costs money, we often enter SA for contests. Because Patti is the figurehead (Mama Angel.lol) she IS the one named.

In this case, her son entered her in the America's Favorite Mom contest. SHE would be the first to tell you, and knows well because of all she does within SA, that there are MANY military mons who are just as deserving of recognition. Because of MY work within SA, I am blessed to know more than a few military moms and wives within SA and in the milblog community. Every single one of them is an amazing mother, hero of America. In this case, Patti is nominated, and as she wins, so does SA, and our programs, and all our military families. It is that simple.

[MaryAnn]

brat, I'd like to note there is a very small handful of paid positions at SA, for example financial reporting/auditing and a couple of other services. When you reach a certain size, there's no way around that. None of the Board members (including Patti) receive a salary of any kind, nor does the vast majority of the other 180,000 members.

defendusa,

I did bump into some guys on the trail to town...

I guess you mean "cardiac hill" - lol.

It should again be emphasized that the DoD does a incredible job taking care of our Wounded Warriors and there are many other outstanding groups besides SA. But thanks for your kind words.

[defendusa]

MaryAnn- haha!It's a great hill to get all the frustrations out!!LOL, But..
I'm not sure if that is what I am talking about. 22 years ago, "that" hill was open to car traffic where the buses running from Ramstein, and Vogelweh would come up to the circle right in front of the hospital..."The trail" has stairs and is the one that goes down behind the back gate near the Pfalzer Stuben (used to be the Shnitzel Stand back in the day) into town. I used to work at 1Oth Med Lab(defunct now). Grant Fluellen, the Civilian guy over there in the "lab" and I used to work together. Nice thing about the 'Stuhl is that there's no other place like it! I really enjoyed my time there. If I ever get back and you're still there, lunch is on me! :) Have a great day!

[RichardUSA]

The positive results of Patti and Soldiers' Angels efforts on behalf of our troops have been displayed for all to see on this site over and over again. Being a Soldiers' Angel, myself I have seen them first hand and know the difference it makes for so many of our troops and their families. There is much that people just don't see because Soldiers' Angels does so much for our troops that to describe it all would make a very very long list. As others have mentioned these things are done to help and often do not receive allot of publicity. That is true charity. I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting Patti and have heard the concern for and dedication to our troops in her voice. Please take a moment to vote for Patti. The money raised WILL help our troops in numerous ways. There are many Moms out there doing allot for others and they should certainly be commended but I for one am happy to vote for Patti in an effort to help our troops.

[AFSister]

I never said she was doing anything shady. Never said that she wasn't a great mom. Never said that what you do, MaryAnn, isn't admirable, needed, or worthy. You're making incorrect assumptions and interpretations. However, if you got that impression somehow, I do apologize.

My intention was, and still is, to point out two things: 1. There are MANY wonderful mothers, doing incredible things, who never get even an ounce of the attention given to Patti, and 2. If Patti is being nominated for these things as a fundraising opportunity for SA, why isn't that being promoted and made known? I read Blackfive every day, and hadn't heard anything about any award money being directed back to SA. So if someone like me, who reads plenty of milblogs on a daily basis, didn't know... I'm pretty sure I'm not alone.

I want to see Soldiers Angels become the focus - not just Patti. The focus should be on the people like MaryAnn who do so much of the work, and the families assisted by SA. When SA was first started, that was the focus. I want to see it go back to that original idea, that no soldier go unloved or unnoticed. Right now it would seem that the attention is NOT on them. True, if the money raised is going to help them, they do benefit... but they are no longer the public face os SA.

I'm not shallow. There is no lack of awareness- I've been a SA supporter and letter writer for years, and have met both Patti and MaryAnn, and I believe Richard too. I'm just tired of attention being given to Patti alone when it should be spread to SA volunteers like MaryAnn, and the soldiers SA supports. I don't see that happening.

I want to see the focus off of one person, Patti, and back on to the organization and the men and women benefiting from it.

[Cassandra]

A few points here:

1. I don't know Patti Patton-Bader from Adam. Never met the woman, never emailed her, wouldn't know her if she walked up to me and smacked me right across the face. So I really do not have a dog in this fight.

2. Whether she spends the money on Soldier's Angels, her rent payment, or a vacation to Tahiti is (IMO) none of anyone's business. Just where in the blue blazes is this bizarre stipulation that the prize money be given away coming from all of a sudden?

From where I sit, I see a woman with a debilitation medical condition running a major charity, with zero compensation. How many of you donate 100% of your professional time and effort for no money?

Yeah. I thought so.

Seems to me that if, having read her son's nominating entry, she received more votes than anyone else, that would be evidence that a considerable number of people agree (because there is no promise she is going to spend the money in any particular way up there) that she deserves to win the prize money however she chooses to spend it. She can spend it on a pedicure if she wants to. I really don't care. It's not my money.

3. Despite there being no requirement to, it seems she DID donate her last winnings to SA. Let me get this straight: is the beef that her son didn't advertise her generous act enough?

Is the beef that, in a contest about Most Popular MOM, that her son didn't go on and on about how great the other VOLUNTEERS at SA are? Don't you think that's the wrong venue, when the entire point of the contest is to talk about why his Mom is the best choice?

4. If what bothers you is that the Most Popular Mom Contest is being used (sub rosa) to raise money for Soldier's Angels, come out and say so. But even there, you really don't have a leg (pardon the sick joke) to stand on, because prize money is a gift. The winner can legally give it to anyone she wants to.

That Patti has chosen to give hers to SA in the past speaks well for her. I am astounded that she is being criticized here for such a generous act. Don't know the woman, but thousands (literally) of my hard-earned dollars have gone to SA over the past 2-3 years.

I see no moral or ethical issues here to disturb me.
4.

[Cassandra]

Oh, and sorry about the typos. Multi-tasking again, and in a hurry.

Preview, then post!

[Cassandra]

One final point.

I don't want to unleash the tactical nukes, but what the helk is the point of this contest anyway? With a grand prize of $25,000 cash money, it seems rather unlikely that many of the contestants are in it for the "recognition". Money talks - BS walks.

That said, the argument Brandon made in his entry was that his Mom was not only a good mom to him, but had voluntarily assumed the role of a surrogate mother to our armed forces. People will either be persuaded by his entry, or not.

There are other contestants. They are also, no doubt, fine women.

There are other contests of this type, and the world will continue spinning on its axis regardless of who wins this year, and the org that sponsored this is doing it for their own purposes (which are likely not entirely altruistic). Why get our pantyhose all in a wad?

If you find Brandon's arguments persuasive, vote for Patti. If you don't, vote for someone else or (like so many manly non-RINO Rethugs) teach us all a lesson and stay home on election day :p But no useful purpose is served by second-guessing the decisions of people who are trying to do good things.

It's not easy to raise money, especially the amount needed to run a charity like SA. It *is* easy to sit back and see all the things such people are ostensibly "doing wrong" and how we might, from the comfort of our Barcoloungers, do the job better.

Except, we aren't are we? Just like we aren't PAO and we aren't in the hot seat at the White House having the lamestream media fling crap at us 24/7 and we aren't senior officers who often have to make unpalatable decisions on the basic of more information than (quelle surprise!) is apparent to the blogger-on-the-street or the latest Strategic Corporal who feels free to tell the world what jerk-offs all officers are from his oh-so-smart position as Lead Ant on top of that monster truck tire. Sure, he may have a point. But it ain't the whole story -- not by a long shot -- and the people in charge can't defend themselves b/c they can't release the information that would lend context to their decisions.

As any milblogger ought to know, but so many rarely take into consideration before second-guessing their own side.

We can always speculate, but it seems to me that we are often way too willing to cast aspersions on too little information. That's exactly what the MSM do, and exactly why we originally thought we were the answer to the problem. Now, I often think we're part of the problem.

[RichardUSA]

The fact is that Patti is the "figure head" so to speak of Soldiers' Angels. She was the founder of it after all. God Bless her for doing so. As the "figure head" of SA, she is the most visible in the organization. Every organization needs its spokesperson and that is exactly what Patti is for SA. That does not mean that others don't spread the word about SA. Many Angels do so and are out there making a positive impression for SA which has the end result of helping our troops. That is the MOST important part of the organization in the end, isn't it? Patti consistently recognizes and praises her fellow Angels. The best and truest form of charity and helping your fellow man / woman is just doing what needs to be done without seeking praise. Step up to the plate, do what is right and help. Having said that, I understand that people like to be appreciated for their efforts and I feel they should be (without seeking recognition being the reason for the charity). Patti does recognize her fellow Angels and believe me, we all know that the troops and their families appreciate what ALL Angels do. That's the kind of appreciation that really counts.

Matt and the other authors of this blog have always supported SA. I honestly feel that has resulted in allot more support for SA than they even realize. I am confident that they are of the same mindset as myself. It doesn't matter who's name is on something. It is the fact that any mention of SA with whomevers name attached in a positive light has an end result of supporting our troops. Let's keep that positive impression of an organization which has done so much for so many and not worry about who's name is attached to it.

[defendusa]

AFSister, sorry, but your bitterness is still coming through despite that you support SA and have met MaryAnn, Patti. And you did imply that the money was being spent elsewhere. Anyone reading can feel free to correct me...but, WHO are the people that are most visible in the organization? Your attitude is that Patti and MaryAnn are out there just basking in the limelight and begging for ALL of the attention. This is just not so. But that being said, the people who are the most visible tend to get the most done and they are not doing it to be famously recognized, It is part of the Job description. I am sure within the organization's branches, they take the time to recognize those working tirelessly for the troops. I'll say it again, the more visibility MaryAnn and Patti get, the more the troops benefit. That is where you are being shallow. Nobody but you is saying that the troops are going unloved, unnoticed.
I can guarantee you that their jobs are 100% thankless in the big picture especially to someone like you, not getting it. Volunteerism gives back to others time and again with the only repayment that it did someone's heart good. And it truly takes a selfless person to do it and to make things happen. I suspect you are not selfless or the implied words on paper would not have so many coming to SA's defense. Get a grip, girlfriend.
Here's a thought. Since you say that a couple of women are taking the focus off the soldiers and taking it ALL for them, why not start your own charitable, not for profit entity and scare up the mumber of volunteers that these gals have, and then come back and tell me that you staying in the "background" is working for you. Time to open your mouth and insert feet.
Last time I checked, the financials are available for public viewing and it's itemized quite well. Now when you're done sulking and whining about how little focus is on the troops, try and muster up a true apology with no excuses for you nasty and bitter mindset.

[defendusa]

AFSister, sorry, but your bitterness is still coming through despite that you support SA and have met MaryAnn, Patti. And you did imply that the money was being spent elsewhere. Anyone reading can feel free to correct me...but, WHO are the people that are most visible in the organization? Your attitude is that Patti and MaryAnn are out there just basking in the limelight and begging for ALL of the attention. This is just not so. But that being said, the people who are the most visible tend to get the most done and they are not doing it to be famously recognized, It is part of the Job description. I am sure within the organization's branches, they take the time to recognize those working tirelessly for the troops. I'll say it again, the more visibility MaryAnn and Patti get, the more the troops benefit. That is where you are being shallow. Nobody but you is saying that the troops are going unloved, unnoticed.
I can guarantee you that their jobs are 100% thankless in the big picture especially to someone like you, not getting it. Volunteerism gives back to others time and again with the only repayment that it did someone's heart good. And it truly takes a selfless person to do it and to make things happen. I suspect you are not selfless or the implied words on paper would not have so many coming to SA's defense. Get a grip, girlfriend.
Here's a thought. Since you say that a couple of women are taking the focus off the soldiers and taking it ALL for them, why not start your own charitable, not for profit entity and scare up the mumber of volunteers that these gals have, and then come back and tell me that you staying in the "background" is working for you. Time to open your mouth and insert feet.
Last time I checked, the financials are available for public viewing and it's itemized quite well. Now when you're done sulking and whining about how little focus is on the troops, try and muster up a true apology with no excuses for your nasty and bitter mindset.

[tankerbrosbrat]

AFSister quote:

1. There are MANY wonderful mothers, doing incredible things, who never get even an ounce of the attention given to Patti,.

Yes, there are, and yes, I do acknowledge them every single day in what I do within SA,(or in anything I write elsewhere.lol) as does Patti..Military mothers and their families are an integral part of what SA does. I am blessed to know more than a few..And yes, that IS a fact based on personal experience.;) You obviously have NO idea what goes on within SA. Seriously, you don't, or you wouldn't/couldn't make such comments.

2. If Patti is being nominated for these things as a fundraising opportunity for SA, why isn't that being promoted and made known?

Again, you apparently have no clue what goes on about SA. IF you did, you would know that SA has been awarded many accolades for the work the GROUP does..(I believe including a Presidential Award, and a Microsoft award most recently). And yes, every opportunity ANY of us get (including Patti btw..lol) SA IS "promoted and made known".....

Quote:

I want to see Soldiers Angels become the focus - not just Patti. The focus should be on the people like MaryAnn who do so much of the work, and the families assisted by SA.

Last time I looked - like 15 minutes ago...rofl - SA IS the focus. The work that SA does - as a GROUP - IS the focus...

As for the focus being on people like Mary Ann who do all the work? I can't speak for Mary Ann but I CAN speak for myself. The work I do within SA you will probably never hear about, because - shocker - it is not about ME! Speaking for myself as one of 180,000, I neither want nor seek public recognition for anything I do. It is really not all about memememe..lol. It IS about the troops, and it IS about SA stated mission. People who need to know (ie the TROOPS and their precious families I deal with) do know what I do and who I am. That is more than enough for me. For me, (and no I am not a public spokesperson for anyone other than myself.lol) I have found my niche in SA - where I can do the most good for our TROOPS and their families. Within the SA group, we all seem to find where we are most effective. MY place is the backroom, by choice.

Quote:

I want to see the focus off of one person, Patti, and back on to the organization and the men and women benefiting from it.

Again, you apparently have not been paying attention... There are quite a few soldiers who willingly give of their time and energy to talk about SA and the difference SA has made to their lives...BUT I am sure I don't need to remind YOU.;) in any act of giving, the focus is on the GIVING - getting the job done, the need filled. Has it ever occurred to you that *perhaps* you don't see all the soldiers we support in the public domain because of matters like OPSEC or respect for their privacy? ANYTHING SA does for any individual soldier (or their units, OR their families...lol) is no strings attached. 'Mission accomplished' does NOT come with caveats that they must publicly acknowledge where they got the help from. SA has grown because every soldier who has come across us has passed the word on to their fellow soldiers. I know from my own relationship s with more than a few heroes, they have no clue who Patti is. They DO know and appreciate SA..the letters of thanks that SA gets DAILY attest to the soldiers' appreciation for all SA has done for them, and no, they usually don't have a clue who Patti is. You also won't see too many soldiers' playing to media cameras because THEY are busy - you know, fighting a war. Just a thought.....lol

"I don't see that happening". Well, again, maybe you should open your eyes.

By all your comments here, it is YOU that has made this about Patti. IF you feel so strongly that a) Patti should not be the person voted for in this instance, you *could* have nominated any number of military mums you felt were more deserving of the recognition and b) you *could* have informed yourself more before you even started here, as to what SA really is and does..

I don't HAVE to defend Patti or SA. She, and the work SA does, speak volumes for themselves.

IF you don't approve of this contest or Patti's nomination, I suggest(oh okay, I URGE ..rofl) that you vote for any one of the other outstanding "Favorite Mom"'s. Freedom to choose is yours. As someone else also suggested, you *could* also start your own organisation to support the troops, or join any of the many other fine groups dedicated to that mission.

Meanwhile I have work to do - but hey, I can't tell you what that is because, well you know.;)

I am done on this topic. Brat exit stage left - pom poms locked and loaded...:)

[Cassandra]

The fact that I'm having so much trouble commenting demonstrates (I think) how much trouble mere words can cause :p But the comment I initially meant to leave here the other day (I was prevented by technical difficulties) still applies.

This contest is purportedly about picking the most popular MOM.

One person: not a group of volunteers.

Now either the problem is that SA is looming in the background, or with Patti herself. But either way, I think getting personal about it is the wrong tack.

As I pointed out earlier, prize money is a gift. If Patti does win and chooses to give hers away, that's her right.

Regarding the remark about her not being nominated if it weren't for SA: if she wins b/c of her work with Soldiers Angels, charity work is a reasonable criterion for picking one contestant over another. After all, SA wouldn't exist if it weren't for Patti. She started it.

And by the way, I have not even voted in this contest. By all means, vote as you please. But for Pete's sake, I have a hard time believing any mother would want to win by seeing other contestants being run down, either intentionally or inadvertently. It may well be AF Sister's comment was just not worded as carefully as it might have been. I don't know.

It may not have reflected what was in her heart. I only know how it came across, and that's one of the unfortunately things about the Intertubes - we can't speak directly to each other the way we would in real life and clear these things up.

I think - I hope - that all our hearts are in the right place, no? So let's try not to be too quick either to take offense or criticize what we have not lived. Life has a funny way of biting us in the tuckus when we least expect it.

[mskassie]

just as another military family member sent out emails last month asking Patti to withdraw and let this person's friend win'...I will address this issue the same way....

I wanted to take a moment to respond to your email. My name is Kassie and I am a friend and fellow volunteer of Patti's. While I truly understand your position [my own Mom is in a stage IV lung to brain cancer battle for life right now too], I don't think you understand that of Patti's. This organization has grown from the love and devotion of ONE mother, who also happens to be battling a life-threatening illness. And with that, often times from laying in a bed to sick/weak to get up, Patti's vision has remained to make sure that not one of our Heroes feel unloved or unsupported will off fighting for our freedoms and reaching out to everyone to look into their hearts and join in support. Patti is not paid anything. She works endless hours, days and nights, always willing to talk to anyone who needs a friend, always willing to tell every service member she loves and and is proud of them [and she mean it 100%], doing without to make sure those in need are cared for. Patti is more than Brandon's mom [the son who nominated her], she serves as a 'mom' to anyone who needs her, including the Angels. The organization she fights so hard to keep running is funded by donations only and everyone volunteers their time and resourses. Believe me, this is not some non-profit like others that pays 6 figure salaries to people. Patti has dedicated her life to this and doesn't have some unlimited bank account to offer what she does. She isn't able to work a 'regular job' with an income at all. Any dollar she can manage to earn, she gives all of it to supporting our Heroes, she doesn't think about what it can get her, she thinks how can I get the most for our troops out of it. And the same thing goes with this 'competition,' I can assure you that Patti will not be putting anything she would be honored enough to win into herself, she would be buying more backpacks for our wounded, supplies for the frontlines, flights for family members of fallen to past their final respects, etc. I'm not really sure that 'Patti' as an individual even exists much anymore, she is the heart and soul of Soldiers' Angels and every breath she takes and every second she is awake is about finding ways to make it grow so we can reach even more soldiers, veterans and family members of both. And I would also be willing to bet, that if asked, we could find many resources throughout our vast community of Angels that could help them too! This is not a competition about who is better or who is more deserving and I would certainly never ask you to let Patti win, because I know your friend is a remarkable mother as well. But please know, all this 'competion' aside, Patti and all of Soldiers' Angels still stand ready to offer our help and prayers to your friend unconditionally. We know the entire family serves, not just the soldier and we honor that service. Thank you for taking an extra moment to learn about Patti.