Editor:

I would like to share some news with our community in ways to support our troops, military families and returning veterans. Our group, East County Military Families & Friends, was started by a Blue Star family in 2005 when their only child went to war in 2004. We pack boxes with letters from the community, welcome home our heroes and support one another while we wait for our loved ones to come home.

The support continues with a Peer to Peer center ready for transitional support for the whole family. As the holidays approach (should I say, are here) we are busy with our Holiday for our Troops crafters and vendors fair Dec. 10 and are providing gift wrapping for donations the entire month of December. All of these events will be held at the Somersville Towne Center Mall in Antioch.

This year there will also be a patriotic tree honoring those who serve and our military families. The public is invited to place an ornament or memento in honor of their service member. We remember you always and are waiting for your safe return.

Our organization is 100 percent volunteers and we are grateful for all of you who donate and support our organization. We will be moving into our new location at 505 Second St. in Antioch on Jan. 1, 2012. What a great way to begin the new year, continuing support for our veterans.

If I may end with this appeal to remember us as you prepare to donate to a charity: we are a 501c3 fully tax-deductible organization, and 100 percent of your donation will go to the services we provide to our veterans and military families. Please keep us in mind; we work very hard for everything we receive and are very grateful.

Thank you for a wonderful year in service to our military families, troops and veterans.

Josie and Jeff Monaghan, Antioch