A Message From The Executive Director:
December 31, 2014
To all of our loyal supporters and our beloved troops:
As of December 31, 2014, Jacob’s Light Foundation is officially closed.
On behalf of the organization, thank you again to all of our sponsors, supporters, donors and volunteers.
On November 25, 2014, Jacob's Light Foundation conducted our final packing. The 2014 holiday packing was supported by hundreds of volunteers. We shipped out over 200 boxes (some 7,000 pounds of comforts of home) to our troops.
The media was very supportive of our efforts and we encourage you to view our Photo & Video Gallery, News & Events and In The Press pages to see some of the postings, pictures and videos from this special day.
December 2014 was an extremely busy and productive month for the organization. Once we concluded our final packing, we donated most of our remaining inventory locally to an organization that supports homeless veterans on Long Island (Operation: HOPE). It is a program sponsored by Island Harvest, the largest food bank on Long Island. You can visit their landing page by visiting:
http://www.islandharvest.org/programs-services/the-center-for-targeted-populations/operation-hope/
More information about how you can get involved with Island Harvest (www.islandharvest.org) can also be found within our News & Events postings.
I am pleased to announce that prior to the closing of Jacob's Light Foundation, we provided a contribution and created a partnership with Operation Gratitude, a volunteer-based not-for-profit organization that annually ships out over 100,000 care packages to our troops. Our two organizations share the same values and mission: To love and honor our Military. Together, we have created a legacy program to send packages to our troops in honor of Jacob's Light Foundation. You can visit the Operation Gratitude website and Jacob’s Light Foundation landing page for more information about this initiative at www.operationgratitude.com/jacobslight
If you would like to contribute to Operation Gratitude in honor of JLF, please email Chris Clark at chris@operationgratitude.com and share how you would like to make an impact.
Jacob's Light Foundation also made a contribution to K9s For Warriors, a not-for-profit organization that trains canines to assist veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury as a result of military service post 9/11. Their goal is to give a new leash on life to rescue dogs and military heroes, empowering warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence.
To learn more about this organization and to support their mission, visit their website at: www.k9sforwarriors.org.
Personally, I would like to publically thank my outstanding Board of Directors, David Stempler, Kevin Perez, Gary Cucchi, Jack Scalia and John Cochrane Jr. Thank you for all the years of dedication, unwavering support, ideas and expertise in helping make Jacob’s Light Foundation’s mission a great success.
JLF has moved through some transitional times and you never hesitated to give your all to decisions that had to be made. Our board meetings and brainstorming have been quite an experience. I have learned so much from all of you through the years.
You have stood with me during some difficult times, and emotional times. Not only as Board Members, but as valued friends. I will always remember all you have done for Jacob’s Light, for our troops, for our community and for me personally. You are the best of the best.
I will always hold in my heart how you have honored my son Jacob.
And to everyone who has supported Jacob’s Light Foundation, this has been an amazing journey.
Together we touched HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of America’s most selfless and courageous men and women who answered the call of duty to serve our great nation!
Together, we provided comfort and support when they needed it most.
Together, we made an impact and bettered their lives.
Together, we shipped out over 635,000 pounds of items from 2003 through 2014.
Our troops consistently thanked us throughout our 11-year history for all our support, warm wishes, and meaningful items from home.
THANK YOU for all of your hard work, dedication and commitment to supporting our troops!
Personally I extend my deepest gratitude to every one of you who has embraced the legacy of my hero, my son, Jacob.
With Deepest Appreciation,
Dorine Kenney
Executive Director
Jacob’s Light Foundation