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Q. What year did you start the center and why?
KM: It was started in August 2004. It was a big way we thought that we could let the soldiers serving know that there was a man missing. In each box we sent, we enclosed at least 10 pictures of Matt. We were always looking for new addresses with different zip codes because even in Iraq each zip code is in a different location. That gave us an opportunity to get the word about Matt to more locations in Iraq.
Q. When did you become an official non-profit and why?
KM: I believe we were a non profit when we opened the doors in 2004. Since there are many types of non-profits we could have used, we decided to go with the 501(c)3 type as it allowed us to receive any donation and it would be tax deductible for a corporation or individual tax return.
Q. What projects have you done or participated in other than sending packages?
KM: We have participated in many events and projects throughout the past 6 years. Sending the computers for a computer lab was one of the greatest things to have happen. It gave us another way to get Matt well known in Iraq. Especially where he was stationed at LSA Anaconda. A picture of him in his truck was the desktop wallpaper on each of the computers. When any military personnel came into the lab to use the computers they would see his picture. We thought the more soldiers that knew about Matt missing, the sooner he would be found and brought home.
A section of I-275 is named for Matt. That was initiated by an individual who called one day and said he was going to try to get it done as it should be known that Matt was missing in Iraq and everyone that goes through Clermont County should know. Joe Uecker was one of those in the State House that introduced and got passed a bill to make that happen.
The Matt Maupin Welcome Pavilion at East Fork State Park was started by Matt’s rowing coach Bill Engeman. Bill no longer coaches but is well into the circle of the rowing team of Clermont County. He came to me with an idea to build a Pavilion in honor of Matt and it would also be there to remind the other hundreds of rowers that participate in the regatta that are held there every year. The team also purchased a couple of skulls that wear Matt’s name. It took over two years for Bill to make the right contacts to get this done. He was given a grant from the State for about $50,000.00 when it finally hit the right person. The last time I spoke with Bill, he said that the entire project was donated in honor of Matt. Including the land it sits on, the materials and labor to make it happen. For the completion of this in honor of Matt, Bill and I went to each of the main contributors of the project and I gave them each a lure that I had made with Matt’s picture on it. Bill gave them a certificate of appreciation. I am pretty sure we got all those involved. The stone mason had one of the lengthy parts of the project. This guy basically worked by himself to get it done. Bill helped him a lot. During the project Bill would always provide lunch for the workers which seeded Bill liked Frisch’s the most. There is enough rebar in the concrete to build a bridge. I thank everyone for their donations and hard work to build this great monument for Matt. I am forever in your debt.
Q. Where did you start out and what locations have you occupied to date?
KM: JR and Carolyn were sending boxes to their sons in Iraq before Matt was captured. They were getting so much stuff in JR’s house that she could hardly move. It was in her kitchen, living room, dining room, garage and just about any where else she could put it until one day she said she wanted her house back so Candy Steward found this place where we are now. She talked with the manager and told her what and why we wanted to use one of the spots in the center. Mary allowed us to move in and use one place until we out grew it. She then let us move to our current place. Mary would allow us to use the area next door from time to time to complete any big events or packing projects that would come up. We currently have both storefronts. We are still here and plan on doing the same thing as we always do, “Until They All Come Home”.
Q. When did “Let Us Never Forget Scholarships” begin? When was the first April 9th fundraiser and how many scholarships did you provide that first year? How many will you provide this year? Was it 2008 that you expanded to all fifty states?
KM: I think our first Let Us Never Forget Scholarship dinner was in 2006. June and I were talking one day and said we needed to do something to honor those from our area that didn’t come home and who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It became important to both us to do all we can do so none from the Iraq war were forgotten. We have given over $300,000.00 in scholarship monies to students going on to further their education. Each scholarship recipient and school is chosen by the parents of the Fallen Hero. In 2010 we awarded over 100 scholarships.
Q. When was the first bike ride for the Matt Maupin scholarship?
KM: The first bike ride that was held for Matt was in June of 2004. Jimmy O’Toole put that one together. It was supposed to be on Saturday but the weatherman was calling for rain that day so they changed it to the following Sunday. As it turned out is was sunny and about 65 on Saturday and on Sunday it about 50 degrees and a cold light rain. They rode anyway because of their dedication to the men and women serving and in honor of Matt. We have sponsored a ride each year in honor of Matt.
We now do a motorcycle ride in memory of Matt but do include other fallen heroes as well. These scholarships are offered to 10 or 12 High Schools in the area. It is called the “Yellow Ribbon Support Center Motorcycle Ride”. This years’ ride was dedicated to Matt Maupin, Tony Wojo and Greg Missman. Two $500.00 scholarships in each of the 3 fallen heroes name totaling $3000.00 were awarded; two went to Milford High School students, two to Glen Este High School students, one to Goshen High School student and one to Bethel-Tate High School.
Q. What is the criteria for this scholarshipr? Who do interested students contact for consideration?
KM: I believe the criteria for is about Patriotism…what does it mean to you? Notice is sent to each school, along with what must be completed by the student interested in applying for the scholarship. The student should contact their guidance counselor at their respective school.
Q. Packages!!!! When did you start sending packages? Aprox. how many did you send the first year? To date?
KM: We were sending packages out almost immediately when we moved into our first location. We probably sent over 1000 before we figured out we should start counting them. Since that time we have sent over 16,000 packages to the men and women serving in harms way. If anyone has someone serving in harms way and want their loved one included in our weekly packing, they need to come in and give the information to us. Hopefully they will pack a box while they are here. We have men and women that will be here to help them get the box packed. If they want to bring any particular items that they want to send to them we can do that as well. There are truly some great and dedicated Americans that make things happen here. There is not just one but a group that will help in any way they can.
Q. How do you find the soldiers to send packages to? Can anyone get on the list or does it have to be a soldier from the local area? How does someone submit a name for consideration? What happens when a soldier completes his/her tour of duty? Is another soldier in the outfit elected to start receiving the packages?
KM: Most of the names that we get are sent from family members or from others I have in my email contacts that will send names of those that don’t get any packages from home or may not have any one at home.
We would like for folks to bring in a name and address so they can see what and how this works. We would also ask the person that brings in the information to please let us know when their soldier is about to be redeployed home. If they come home and we send a box to them, the package is returned to us and we have lost what was spent for postage. When we do get a chance to talk to the soldier or Marine, we ask them to try to get the name and address (if different) of their replacement. We will continue to send to the replacement. If they are aware of any one in their unit that doesn’t get packages, we would be glad to include them as well.
Q. Do you take special requests?
KM: We have tried to asked what our troops would like but they always tell us for the most part what we are sending is good. It is the thought that someone is thinking about them that makes the difference not particularly what they get. But we would be more than happy to take special requests within our means.
Q. Who have been some of the BIG contributors?
KM: As a rule we don’t have any big contributors but we have on occasion received a skid of deodorant for P&G but not directly from P&G. Lately we have been receiving gummy bears and gummy worms from CVS. Maybe 10 – 12 boxes of those. We have received many items from some of the employees of AK Steel Union workers. Quite a few companies’ employees will have a drive to collect items to send. This year we have received over 1000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to send to the troops. That was from about 15 different groups. We have received thousands of pairs of sunglasses and clip on sunglasses from York Optical in Kenwood. Over $7000.00 was the retail cost. We have received lots of water from Trauth Diary in Kentucky. We have received thousands of the boxes we use to send the items in from BGR.
Q. What are some of the most unusual, but thoughtful, useful, etc. items that have been donated?
KM: What I remember most was the helmet liners that a lady brought in. She said they were hand knitted by a 90 year old lady who wanted the troops to have them.
Q. Who thought of the sticker of Matt that said, “Remember my face”? When did you begin affixing it to the packages? I know the “why” was to keep Matt’s face out there. Is there any other significance to the sticker?
KM: The stickers were designed and printed by Kirk Wilson. He works for General Data Company that prints labels for different companies. He came up with the idea and had them printed. We started that because we wanted everyone who sees the box or handles the box to know about Matt. We also know that after the men and women that receive the boxes will know at a glance if they see a box with the labels on it in their area that that is probably their box. Besides that, I get to see Matt all the time. It just makes me feel good to see him there.
Q. What do you want the YRSC to accomplish? What are your goals today? Have your goals changed, expanded, transformed from the very beginning? Has it grown beyond your first expectations?
KM: We wanted to accomplish all we could. When it started we didn’t know where is was going but it didn’t take long to understand the mission was like a central place where people could come and have a place to get things to their loved ones serving. We still have the same goals and it has grown to be lot bigger than what we anticipated. It takes a lot of time to mail packages. Through the help with the dedicated volunteers it is done. For me I thought that when Matt came home that the support not only for Matt but all those serving in harms way would all but stop. Since Matt is home it seems to have grown bigger and we are busier than we ever were.
Q. Will the mission of the YRSC be complete with the withdrawal of troops from Iraq/Afghanistan, or will you shift focus, i.e. another hot spot, soldiers overseas in general?
KM: I can’t say if the mission will stop when they all come home from there. If that does happen and the support stops for the troops then I can’t see it lasting much longer without the support. We still have a mission and that would be to make sure we do all we can do to keep the fallen heroes memory alive for as long as we can. We are still working on the Fallen Heroes Museum and for as long as it is supported we will work on the Let Us Never Forget Scholarship dinner annually.
Our number one mission is to support those serving in harms way and to, if just for a moment, take their mind off where they are and to let them know that there are still people back home that support them and appreciate the sacrifice for our freedom that we enjoy.
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