We launched our Expanded Services Program at Camp Pendleton on a cold winter’s day in December, 2012. This program was implemented thanks to our compassionate volunteers. They often saw children without shoes, Mothers re-using disposable diapers and entire families without winter coats. We knew our military families were struggling in so many ways, it was time for us to help.
Our Expanded Services Program begins with donations of clothing, shoes, diapers and baby formula, home goods and hygiene products. Large retailers such as Walmart and Big Lots provide us with these types of goods on a regular basis. Most donations though come from private individuals who want to help our troops and their families improve their quality of life. The donations we receive are distributed to military families and to single soldiers as well who are living a sparse existence in the barracks. Helping Hand Worldwide distributes these goods every week along with our Mobile Food Pantry distributions.
The Expanded Services Program is led by our Volunteer Military Director, Mr. John Boegeman. John works tirelessly throughout the year to bring much needed items to our military families. He solicits donations for basic items such as diapers and “luxury” items too such as warm winter jackets and new comforter sets. He is dedicated to making certain children have everything they need and some special things too, like toys and new clothes at Christmas. As new troops arrive and others are transferred, Helping Hand Worldwide remains a constant presence in the lives of the servicemen and women and their children at Camp Pendleton. They are our inspiration and our motivation.