Free Tickets and Private Tailgate for Siouxland Veterans and Military Families!
Thrivent Financial and Support Siouxland Soldiers are giving away 100 free tickets to Military Families and Veterans for the July 3rd Explorer’s game and fireworks show.Your tickets gain you entrance into a Free, private tailgate party, catered by HyVee, at 5:30 p.m. in the Explorer’s parking lot. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. Seating is limited, first come, first serve, please email siouxlandtroops@gmail.com to receive up to 4 free tickets per family.
If you would like to volunteer for this event, please email us for details.
Next Care-pack Event
Next Care-pack Date: Monday, June 25th
We will be partnering with the 185th National Air Guard to pack and ship the packages at the 113 CAV National Guard Armory. We will setup at 5:30 p.m. and begin packing at 5:45 p.m. Click on our page “Care-Packages” for directions to our location and a list of items that we include in the care-packages.
Fireworks, Explorer’s Baseball and American Tradition
Join us for an evening event of American tradition at Lewis & Clark Park, home of the Sioux City Explorers on Tuesday, July 3rd where the Explorers play host to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for a 7:05pm battle. Thrivent Financial Great Plains Associates, and the Sioux City Explorers are joining forces that evening to provide affordable, family entertainment to all fans in attendance, as well as raising funds for Injured Veterans and Service Members in need.
The evening will feature a post-game fireworks display by Lantis Fireworks, a live performance of the National Anthem, along with an array of giveaways! Join us for this affordable evening of family entertainment and celebrate American Tradition at Lewis & Clark Park.
During the game, Thrivent Financial will be presenting a donation check to Support Siouxland Soldiers, a local non-profit organization that supports Injured Veterans and Service Members in need, and S.A.L.U.T.E. a care-package program..
Tickets are $9 for reserve and $11 for box and can be purchased by calling 712.277.WINS, visiting the Sioux City Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com or by stopping down to the X’s Box Office.
Thrivent Financial Great Plains Associates is a faith based full service Fortune 500 Company. The not-for-profit organization provides more than $200 million per year in support of activities and programs that involve members in their communities.
For more information about Support Siouxland Soldiers, “Like Us” on Facebook or visit www.supportsiouxlandsoldiers.com
Happy Armed Forces Day!!
Thank you to everyone who joined us in honoring our Siouxland Service Members today! We packed care-packages for our Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota deployed Troops! Thank you to our event sponsors: Cubby’s Convenience Store, Cenex, Bimbo Bakeries, Pepsi and CNOS.
Armed Forces Day, Saturday May 19th
Cubby’s Convenience Story (in front of Sam’s Club)
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
$3.00 Lunch: Grilled hotdogs, chips and water
Pack a care-package or donate items to be sent to our deployed Troops
Games and prizes for the kids!
Purchase a $5 raffle ticket to win one of ten $50 gas cards!!
All proceeds will benefit Support Siouxland Soldiers.
Support Siouxland Soldiers is a community non-profit (501c3) organization whose mission is to support members of the Armed Forces, past and present, their families and the Siouxland community. The primary means of our mission is to send packages to deployed military personnel and partnering with Siouxland businesses, schools, churches and organizations to bring support to the four thousand – plus members of the Armed Forces and military families of the Siouxland area.
Military Families Pack Boxes For Soldiers – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Military Families Pack Boxes For Soldiers – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com.
Close to 3,000 Iowa National Guard soldiers are serving our country in Afghanistan as we speak. And once again, their friends and families are back at it packing boxes full of love and supporting each other in the process.
Military families gathered at the National Guard Armory in Sioux City with one goal in mind: To send their loved ones overseas a reminder of how much they’re missed. From sweet treats to personal care products. Everything inside was packed with love and care.
“It makes me feel like I’m supporting his efforts while he’s oversees and then when he gets the box it’s like a little piece from home that reminds him that there are people at home that care about him,” said Susane Kabisch, the wife of a soldier.
“I want him to think of us and how great of a family we are,” said Mason Mackey, who’s brother is in Afghanistan.
While this event produced boxes of support for our soldiers, it also served as a support system for families right here in Siouxland.
“When we come to events like this where there are other family members who are going though the same things that we are during the deployment it’s very comforting and uplifting to come together and work for the common good,” said Kabisch.
Showing that a little can travel far and keep loved one’s close to heart.
Find us on Facebook: Support Siouxland Soldiers
Family Puts Up Over 20,000 Lights for Holiday Display. – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
It’s the third year in a row the Wilmes family has put on their spectacular holiday light show. The entire display has well over 20,000 lights, and every year, the lights are synched to music. This year it’s a medley of all your favorite holiday classics that you can hear on 106.5.
“We just love it. People in our neighborhood, our neighbors come out and we all stand on the side walk, turn on our cars, our radios and we all stand there and dance to the music,” Pam Wilmes, homeowner.
The whole thing starts right on the computer. Matt Wilmes uses an excel-type program to synchronize the lights with the music. And according to Wilmse, that’s the easy part.
“The twenty-five minute show that we have this year it’s a minimum of a hundred hours of sequencing every minute takes about 2-3 hours,” said Wilmes.
The hardest part, actually finding the time to put up the lights. But when it comes down to it, Wilmes says its not about time or money, it’s about giving back and honoring his father who passed away several years ago.
“My dad I felt was a good man and one of the things he instilled in me was to give back, and that’s what I’m doing,” said Wilmes.
And while these lights turned on for the first time only a couple days ago, Wilmes is already thinking about next year.
The Wilmes’ welcome everyone to come out and see the holiday light show, that runs now through January 2nd. This year, any donations the family receives will go to Support Siouxland Soldiers. There is a donation box in the shape of a candy cane out in front of the house.
The address is 4026 Capitol Street in Sioux City.
Letting Soldier’s Know You Care This Holiday Season – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Support Siouxland Soldiers held it’s 4th Holiday Care Package event on Saturday. Families and friends filled up box after box for their loved ones overseas. There were different stations to pick from, with things like toothpaste, socks, holiday cards and candy.
One mom was making a care package for her 21-year old son who serves in the U.S. Navy and is currently in Afghanistan.
“He said anytime he gets a box it feels like Christmas. He never know what’s going to be in it, so it’s always a surprise and they just really really just appreciate anything that comes over there.”
Support Siouxland Soliders provides everything families need to make the care package, all you need it your soldier’s address. It takes about 3 weeks for the soldiers to get their holiday surprise.
Families Prepare For Soldiers’ Homecoming – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Families Prepare For Soldiers’ Homecoming – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com.
About 100 volunteers toughed out the heat, to make sure their loved ones feel welcome when they return from Afghanistan.
More than 3,000 Iowa soldiers went overseas last year, but they will be home by the end of July.
“It’s been up and down, you don’t hear from him, technology nowadays, you don’t hear for 10 days you freak out, you think it’s a long time, but think of the old days, that really wasn’t that long,” said Patrick McKeever, who’s son is in the 113th Cavalry in Afghanistan.
People worked through the summer sun, to make sure the soldiers feel welcomed.
“It’s really important for the troops to see that their community missed them, and supports them, and that we are really proud of them, and we’re just really glad that they’re home safe,” said Sarah Petersen, from Support Siouxland Soldiers.
The families don’t know the exact date their loved ones will return, but they can’t wait for that day to arrive.
“His mom, brother, and sister, and all his family together and just enjoy it. I’m leaving July 30th to go out of the country, so I’m praying he gets back by then,” said McKeever.
The families say they usually don’t find out when the soldiers come home until about 48 hours beforehand.
Military Families Get Support During The Holidays – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Many Siouxland military families were not together for the holidays last year and for many soldiers who just came back from deployment, this time of year can be very stressful. But tonight an event helped with some of those problems.
Sioux City’s Public Museum was turned into a Christmas base filled with about 150 military families. The mission? “Operation Pay it Forward.”
“Holidays are hard, especially for our military members. Some of them come home to no jobs, some of them come home laid off and it’s just helps to make things a little bit more fun for them,” said a volunteer for Support Siouxland Soldiers.
Support Siouxland Soldiers, the museum and the Free Masons of Iowa gave the families an opportunity to have some holiday fun together and for the kids Christmas came early. Each of them got to choose a toy, a book and a Scentsy Buddy.
And to help Support Siouxland Soldiers continue their work in the home-front, the Iowa Free Masons donated $10,000 to help make sure our heroes have a safe happy holiday back home.
Free Military Concert at Firehouse – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Free Military Concert at Firehouse – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com.
Firehouse is helping throw a live music concert Saturday night for Support Siouxland Soldiers. It’s a free event honoring Siouxland Soldiers past and present. There’s four local bands playing to show support to 350 of our local soldiers. There’s T–shirts for $15 which will fund care packages for military men and women who are deployed. And the more you drink, the better.
“Every drink sold tonight, fifty cents of it goes to Support Siouxland Soldiers,” said Brittany Dekker, Support Siouxland Soldiers.
On top of drink proceeds, the owner of Firehouse is matching the bartenders tips to donate to the organization.
“I wanted to give back to the soldiers. The soldiers are risking their lives for us and this is our chance to throw them one heck of a bash,” said Paul Andersen.
The party goes til 1 a.m.
Free Minutes for Soldiers to Call Home from Overseas – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Support Siouxland Soldiers buys 15,000 minutes for the Siouxland Soldiers to Call Home.
Support Siouxland Soliders, At It Again – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Support Siouxland Soliders, At It Again – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com.
With Christmas just weeks away, folks came together to send a little holiday joy overseas to our area soldiers.
Since several of our local soldiers won’t be home to open presents this holiday season, “Support Siouxland Soldiers” came together today to make care packages in an attempt to send a little piece of home to those fighting for our country.
Its an effort that Sioux Citian Alex Guggenmos thinks in necessary.
“It makes them feel like they’re at home because they get items that they probably have at they’re house like we’ve been sending granola bars and fruit snacks and stuff like that. “
The packages are packed full with everything from everyday necessities to pictures and holiday cards.
Siouxland Swine Support One of Their Own – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Siouxland Swine Support One of Their Own – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com.
When soldiers overseas get a care package, it’s like getting a little piece of home. If its sent with the help of someone’s heart and soul– it means that much more.
Some big guys with some big hearts are working to do just that.
Rugby teams from all over the Siouxland area stopped in Sioux City today for some friendly matches and to raise money for Siouxland soldiers.
A cause near and dear to the Siouxland Swine as one of their own was recently deployed to Afghanistan.
The players of the Siouxland Swine rugby team can definitely stand the intensity of a match, but what about the pain?
“It wears off after a couple of days.”
Pain aside, there’s a reason these guys are pouring their heart and soul into every play.
“This is kind of a, more than special occasion for us this year because one of our players just got sent over to Afghanistan– just in the last month.” Says John Singer, VP of the Siouxland Swine.
The siouxland swine rugby team has held fundraising tournaments to benefit “support siouxland soldiers” in the past.
They never thought their efforts would benefit one of their own.
“It’s kind of one of those things, you never think it will happen to you.” Says Singer.
“Kevin Heineman, he’s a sergeant with the police department I believe and he got shipped off just a couple weeks ago, so we wanted to make it even more of a big event because it hit home a little bit.” Says Vern Helt with the Siouxland Swine.
Rugby isn’t a hugely popular sport in the area, but when a fellow rugger is going through a hard time, the comradery is there.
“They’re all supporting our country and they’re over there and everybody’s families are stuck here so I mean anything we can do and all pitch in to help out I definitely think we should do it. Sioux City has a rugger right now over in Afghanistan so I definitely feel that everybody came together in a group effort.” Says Rocky Welker, a former player for the Swine and current member of the University of South Dakota Rugby team.
Keeping their fellow rugger in mind, the Swine made it into the championship game. It’s a feet anyone can be proud of– but especially their teammate.
“He’s just proud of us and we gave him one of our jersey’s before he left and he said he’d wear it proud over there so now we’ve got a jersey overseas.” Says Helt.
the Siouxland Swine Rugby Tournament raised double what it made last year– they’re expecting to donate upwards of $3,000 to support Siouxland Soldiers.
Support Siouxland Soldiers Send More Care Packages – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Saturday folks packed boxes full of everyday necessities, friendly notes, and of course, a few goodies.
Deb Jernberg, says although they meet every other month to send these care-packages this month is extra special for her.
Monday is her son’s 21st birthday and his one year deployment date.
Although she won’t be able to celebrate with him, she managed to get a hold of his box and slip in a few baby pictures, notes from his nephews and a few extra supplies to help make his twenty first birthday special.
“We love him, we miss him, and we are very proud of him, and he’ll be embarrassed. But we are, we’re very proud of him, we want what’s best…you always want what’s best for your kids.” said Jernberg referring to her son Kyle.
The Support Siouxland Soldiers organization plans to triple the amount of boxes they send out when they meet next around September 11-th for Patriot’s Day.
Support Siouxland Soldiers Sends Love Overseas – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
As Valentine’s Day approaches, for some Siouxland families, sending a card packed with love has more miles to travel this year.
That’s because it’s going overseas, to sons and daughters called to duty for the love of their country.
Support Siouxland Soldiers is at it again, packing up a little bit of love, for soldiers, fighting in the line of fire.
They’re the sights and sounds of support.
The Sioux City based group, Support Siouxland Soldiers is packing up these boxes with necessities, and sweets for Valentines Day.
The group puts together packages for almost every holiday, but this is Anita Collier’s first package.
Her son just landed in Kuwait yesterday.
Dawn Breece’s son caleb is also taking his turn overseas, he’s being deployed for a year.
“When I found out about this I was excited because there are so few things we can do for military, and since my son is in the army and he’s stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, I want to get involved and not only send things to him, but support the other soldiers,” says Breece.
Dawn says support by way of sweets, is the least they can do for the military men and women serving our country.
That’s why many of these family members are taking an hour out of their Saturday for packing for their soldiers, to make at least one day away from home a little easier.
Support Siouxland Soldiers wrapped up more than 50 boxes to be sent overseas within the next week.
Channel 9 KCAU-TV is a proud sponsor of Support Siouxland Soldiers.
Support Siouxland Soldiers Earns Project Homefront Award – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
They’ve boxed and shipped hundreds of care packages, but Support Siouxland Soldiers is about more than just a present in the mail. It’s a group that has turned to each other for help when their spouse, parent or friend has gone overseas.
“They’re opening their packages and sharing items. If someone needs a toothbrush, they’re like throwing it across the room, saying ‘here take a toothbrush,’”
Sandy Fleck joined the group because she wanted to find a way to help her son Tanner, but it’s now the fun she has during the get togethers that keeps her going.
“Oh, everybody is in a great mood. We’re hustling and bustling. You can put in all their favorite things. If you want to put in a box of beef jerky, because that’s their favorite, then perfect.”
Many of the soldiers, including Shawn and Tanner, are back from the middle east. As a result, Support Siouxland Soldiers is refocusing its purpose. The group will still make care packages every other month, but their goal is to offer fun activities for military families.
For more on that, log onto their web site at supportsiouxland soldiers.com.
Support Siouxland Soldiers Holds Brown Bag Drive For Deployed So – News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com
Over 300 deployed soldiers from the area will soon be getting a surprise, and they’ll have many of you to thank.
Support Siouxland Soldiers held a drive today at the Southern Hills Hy-Vee. They collected hygiene products, food and other goods from Hy-Vee shoppers.
A lot of the soldiers will be coming home in July, so, in honor of Armed Forces Day today, Support Siouxland Soldiers decided to end their stint with a bang.
Brittany Dekker of Support Siouxland Soldiers said, “It’s been awesome, we have an entire car load of stuff so a lot of people have come out and shown their support for these men and women that are deployed, it really means a lot to us.”
Starting at 6:30pm on June 2nd, the group will be packaging the donations at the Armory by the Sioux Gateway Airport and then sending them out.
Anybody is welcome to come and help. You can also specialize a package for a particular soldier.
“Like us” on Facebook
Supporting the Siouxland Military Community
Support Siouxland Soldiers is a community non-profit (501c3) organization whose mission is to support members of the Armed Forces, past and present, their families and the Siouxland community. The primary means of our mission is to send packages to deployed military personnel, host family-friendly monthly events and by partnering with Siouxland businesses, schools, churches and organizations to bring support to the four thousand – plus members of the Armed Forces and military families of the Siouxland area.
Increasing the morale of the troops during deployment by sending Care-Packages is the core and origin of Support Siouxland Soldiers mission. We’ve organized “Care Pack” events every other month since 2007 and to date have sent over four thousand care-packages. This is made possible through partnerships with community businesses, organizations, churches and schools that help us provide snack and hygiene items which are included in the care – packages, as well as providing all of the materials and postage for shipping . We ship care – packages to all branches of the Armed Forces and invite families to customize care-packages for their specific service member.
