Posted by Bruce Wood on Jul 20, 2022
 
Lindsey Rogers, Director of Operations of Boots 4 Troops, is thanked by Eric Gomez, Lake Houston Rotary club president, for her presentation to club members regarding her non-profit organization’s programs for active-duty soldiers and veterans. They provide custom care packages, military spouse education scholarships, travel assistance home, service dogs and honoring veterans programs.
 
Lake Houston Rotarians learned how this personalized care package program works and how they can help from Lindsey Rogers, Director of Operations and co-founder of Boots 4 Troops, during their weekly Wednesday luncheon meeting at the Lake Houston Family YMCA in Kingwood.
 
There are many organizations sending care packages to U.S. soldiers overseas but non-profit Boots 4 Troops is unique in its approach to lifting the spirits and morale of active-duty soldiers.
 
Ms. Rogers explained their unusual approach is to personalize every single care package they send to soldier recipients based on the soldier’s own likes and needs.
 
Every care package includes boots or shoes sized and specifically requested by the soldier receiving the care package. During the application process, they are also asked what are their top three favorite hobbies, sports teams, snacks, candy and supplements.
 
Each care packaged is customized based on each individual soldier’s answers to these questions. For them, it’s like getting a package from someone who knows them as opposed to one size fits all.
 
Care packages have been shipped all over the world since the start of Boots 4 Troops in 2015. To date, Boots 4 Troops has sent over 3,600 personalized care packages to active-duty soldiers.
 
Boots 4 Troops has expanded their outreach and morale building by adding two programs for active-duty soldiers and one for veterans.
 
The Travel Assistance Program helps provide financial relief for E-5 and below so they are able to travel home for the holidays to be with loved ones or to get home in an emergency situation (death in the family, terminal illness, etc.).  Boots 4 Troops books and pays for the flights in full with no cost to the soldier.
 
Boots 4 Troops recognizes the importance of families in a time of need. According to Ms. Rogers, 143 families have been provided travel assistance.
 
The second program is the new Jimmy Rogers Military Spouse Scholarship. Jimmy Rogers is a co-founder of Boots 4 Troops and a veteran. The Spouse Scholarship is designed to help the spouse of an active-duty man or woman gain their education.  It is provided to help set up the family for a stronger future together. This year’s scholarship recipients are Kylie Gonzales and Marisa Jorden. Ms. Rogers said they were each awarded $7,500.

The post service program is entitled “Honoring Our Heroes”. This program is designed to honor those who have previously served.  So far, 175 heroes have been honored at Boots 4 Troops major events to show appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans.

You can help fund Boots 4 Troops by having some fun at their “7th Annual Concert in the Country” fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in Magnolia, Texas. The concert features country singer Aaron Watson and the singing group Shenandoah. Concert info and purchase tickets here: http://www.concertinthecountry.org/ .

 
Discover how you can nominate a soldier and learn more about Boots 4 Troops here: www.Boots4Troops.org. Donations accepted and volunteers appreciated too.
 
Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area members and guests meet at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays for their weekly lunch meeting at the Lake Houston Family YMCA, 2420 West Lake Houston Pkwy. in Kingwood.

The Summer Creek Satellite Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 8:30 a.m., at Generation Park 3rd floor Nimble Office Suite, 250 Assay St., Houston.

For more information about Rotary or membership attend one of our weekly meetings as a guest or visit www.LHARotary.com and search for our Facebook page @LakeHoustonAreaRotary.