Firm Hope In a better tomorrow!

A woman named Dianne Villano started a Web site, www.supportourmarinesinc.org, which sends care packages to Marines on the front lines. She gathers things like letters from local elementary schools, Q-tips, energy bars, coffee and nonperishable food items. The letters she gets in return show what a tremendous difference packages from home can mean when some soldiers are not getting anything at all.

She was spending $1,200 per month of her own money on this. She uses her own apartment with the balcony as a storage station for the supplies. She then goes to the local USPS and flat rates the packages. After two years of doing this her accountant told her that she needs to start a charity to make these donations from local businesses tax deductible.

She is still waiting to hear from the IRS about official 501c3 status. Her goal this year is to raise around $25,000 and she has been accumulating more and more Marine units who need her help. One unit gave Dianne their American flag they used throughout their Iraq tour. Other wives have called and written her telling her how much the packages have increased morale and gotten their loved ones through difficult times.