History

AdoptATroop Foundation, Inc. was founded in November 2007 by Kaye Caple. Kaye had a vision that if she could raise money and fill care packages to be sent to our troops overseas, she could make a small difference. Read Kaye's story below and see how AdoptATroop started and how it has grown to what it is today.

In the early summer of 2007, the idea evolved from wanting to do something for our men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and to not have them treated like those coming home from Vietnam and Korea which was atrocious and never to happen again as long as I was alive. I am the kind of person who can’t watch TV and not do something with my hands.

The Legend of the Christmas Spider popped into my head. I found The Legend and went on-line to learn how to make the spiders, picked the one made of beads and went shopping for the materials. I started making them in crystal and had about 20 of them without bags and The Legend story copied off my printer. I attended a bike night held by The Enforcers and I brought out the Spiders and asked if people would buy them. At that time, I was planning on taking all the money made, buy material to fill care packages for our troops, and start sending boxes to Iraq and Afghanistan. I left that night with $50.00, $2.00 per spider, and so it started. By the way the materials for the spiders which I purchase from Debbie’s Craft Store, on line, and the labor are all donated.

I went to many more biker events, bike nights, networking luncheons and breakfasts speaking on behalf of AdoptATroop Foundation, Inc. In addition, I went to several individual shops in the Ft. Myers Beach area who are selling the spiders. One of my friends, Barb, works at Artype and came up with the idea of bagging them and then she suggested we put the header on them. Paradise Printing took the Legend and printed it on cards and then had the header printed. After a couple of months of only making crystal ones, I investigated the red, white and blue beads and proceeded to make those. The red, white & blue spiders are much more popular. In November 2007 Jennifer, Ella, Barb, Samantha and myself packaged our first 20 boxes.

This leads me to my contacts which is private for their safety, the safety of their families and to uphold the privacy policy. In Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 Florida, we have some members who have helped secure names of those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I also let everyone know that if they know someone or are themselves serving, send me their address and they will also receive a care package.

We, Darlene, Elizabeth and myself, have made thousands of spiders and have worked with ROTC at a local high school, Ida S. Baker High School, who sold 800 spiders and raised $2500 which enabled us to send 50 boxes. At this time, that high school and now a middle school, Trafalgar Middle School, want to participate in this endeavor next fall. My goal is to send another 300 by November 2008, which was superseded.

We have also been approached to give a presentation to the Ft. Myers Board of Realtors to vie for the proceeds of a yearly auction. We were not selected but Sam’s Club gave us a check for $500.00 which is most appreciated. Every dollar counts.

Recently I put on a Motorcycle Run for the troops which was quite profitable and the local motorcycle shops participated in making donations for raffles and prizes. This run will enable us to send another 50 - 60 boxes. For the Adopt-A-Troop Run, I had T-shirts made up saying “I Support Adopt-A-Troop Foundation." These are still available for sale at $10.00 per shirt.

We will be shopping this week at Sam’s Club or Costco for the items needed to fill the gaps in our inventory. Walgreen’s Store at the corner of San Carlos Blvd. & Gladiolus has been extremely supportive in our endeavors. The store manager is extremely helpful in ordering some of the items mentioned and coming up with new ideas. As the boxes are small, we try to put a little of this and a little of that in each box -- the items have to be small. Some of the toiletry items are special order such as the Charmin To Go Toilet Paper. Walgreen’s has been my best friend.

Once the items have been purchased we get together, make the boxes, fill them, seal them, and get them ready for mailing. The custom forms and label are completed and I take them to a great stamp store - Stamps ’N Stuff on San Carlos Blvd. They complete everything -- I pay them and leave the 30 - 50 boxes in their hands. The support system that has stepped forward has made all this possible.

Without our support of our troops, the progress made in both Iraq and Afghanistan would not be happening. This information is nothing the news media would publicize - the schools, hospitals, universities, technical institutes, community centers, libraries that have been opened because of our efforts is phenomenal. Why do you think that our men and women come home on leave and want to go back? Because we are making progress and those brave men and women have to have our support to do it. The men who served in Korea and Vietnam didn’t get support and the results show it.