In planning for success in 2012, one of the non-profit organizations in which I want to become more involved and one where I want to give even more next year is the Boot Campaign. Our "Give Back Program" for 2011 was to purchase and give away 365 pair of boots and we have almost reached our goal. For every pair of boots purchased from www.BootCampaign.com, a portion of the proceeds go to several wounded warrior projects. But for 2012 - we want to do more!
The Boot Campaign is a non-profit organization which was started by five women in Texas who wanted a way to give back to our men and women of the United States military when they come back from war. This organization contributes to several wounded warrior projects and they hope to raise awareness of the needs of our military.
On Thursday, the Boot Campaign asked me for a "testimonial" they could share with others about how our team became involved with the campaign and how we were spreading the message. After I gave the below testimonial to them, I thought I should share it with my subscribers since this cause is so much a part of my life and business:
I heard about the Boot Campaign for the first time from a post on Facebook and then within 24 hours, I saw an interview on Fox News. I was immediately pulled into the incredible mission of the Boot Campaign to give back when our warriors come back. I shared the website with my team of sixteen and they loved what the Boot Girls were doing!
I purchased boots for everyone on the team and we got our boots on. We scheduled a photo and video shoot – and labeled ourselves the “Suits in Boots”.
Because we have offices located in two military cities and we focus on VA Home loans, the majority of our clients ARE military. This seemed the perfect way for us to show our support not only to our clients, the men and women currently serving in the United States military, but to the various wounded warrior projects supported by the Boot Campaign. Although my team has had a passion for “serving those who serve” for many years, this fanned those flames and brought a renewed energy back into our hearts. When military clients come into our office, they see the stacks of boots, our informational flyers, and we play our video for them (www.SuitsInBoots.net) all of which show our support of the Boot Campaign. These military men and women are always deeply touched by the commitment of these women of the Boot Campaign to support the causes which support our wounded warriors.
After the initial purchase of the boots, we just went wild! We began purchasing one pair of boots for every transaction we closed (around 30 pair per month) and giving those boots to individuals who we felt could influence others to get THEIR boots on. From 25 pair to my BNI group (Business Networking International).......
to the emergency room staff at the local hospital.....
The goal for my team this year has been to purchase one pair of boots for every day we wanted to live free – that would be 365 pair! We shared the mission of the Boot Campaign at our company’s annual meeting and the owner of the company immediately purchased 170 pair for all of our corporate staff. As a “boot evangelist”, I began to share the mission with movers and shakers within the mortgage industry and at industry events. I challenged others to get onboard to “give back with they come back”.
I believe that people all over the United States – no matter what business or profession they are in – are looking for a way to give back to these heroes. The Boot Campaign is the perfect avenue to do just that – to give back when our heroes come back. I would like to say - Thank you, Boot Campaign, and thank you to the individuals within this great organization who work so diligently and give so freely of their time and energy in order to support some of America’s most honorable wounded warrior projects and charities. The Boot Campaign is truly are making a difference in the lives of the people who are making a difference.
What is your "Give Back" program for 2012?
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