Photos
I’m back! Sorry for the delay in updating the blog with photos and our account of the delivery! My husband and I just got back from vacation! We had a great time, but more importantly, I finally uploaded some photos from our delivery to our Facebook page.
Here’s a link to the photos.
I will update the blog with an account of the delivery soon, along with posting the photos on here.
Kait
UPDATE: Thank you, Operation Gratitude, for pointing out to me that the link to our FB page didn’t work! Here is the correct link to our Facebook page!
Publicity and Donations!
I hope you all saw us on Channel 69 News! Apparently, it replayed again at 10pm last night!
I received an email this morning from Blaire Galaton, the producer of the B101 Philly Jenn & Michael Morning Show. She said she heard about our story and wanted to talk to me and record a short interview for the morning show tomorrow morning! Sweet! So, I got in touch with her today and she gave me a call and filled me in on how the phone interview would work. It was pretty brief, but everyone was very friendly and I think it will be another great way for us to get our story out! It will air tomorrow morning between 5am and 9am. Make sure you tune in to B101 to hear about us!
Thank you, B101 Philly for contacting me about our collection! We appreciate it!
WAEB AM 790 posted our info on their Clear Channel Communities Local Charity Events page. Bob also did a quick interview a few weeks ago on WAEB AM 790‘s Bobby Gunther Walsh Show.
A big thanks to WAEB AM 790 as well!
Valley National Financial Advisors delivered their donation to support The Marshall Plan today. Judianne Harris, marketing coordinator at VNFA, emailed a photo today of their delivery and a little note to go along with it. Here it is:
Jane Kapinas, Vice President at Valley National Financial Advisors, presented Tastykakes and a monetary donation to Bob Price of Team Capital Bank, on behalf of the entire staff at Valley National Financial Advisors in support of The Marshall Plan. Donations from Valley National and other local organizations will be delivered to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland during the week of October 14, 2013.
Awesome! Thank you so much, Valley National Financial Advisors!
Also, we are extending our donation deadline until Friday, October 11, 2013 because we’ve received such a great out pour of support over the last week and a half!
We’ve received some great publicity this year! We appreciate all of the support sent our way! Keep it coming! We are getting very excited for our delivery next Tuesday!
Kait
News Segment
We were on the 5pm AND 6pm local news! Awesome! Thank you WFMZ Channel 69 News for doing a segment on us!
Here’s a link to the clip:
A Northampton County woman has a sweet idea to help thousands of wounded soldiers who are on the road to recovery.
via Tastykakes for Troops campaign underway for wounded soldiers.
Kait
Local News Segment!
Make sure to watch Channel 69 News WFMZ-TV tonight at 5pm! There should be a segment about the Marshall Plan!
This morning I met with reporter Bo Koltnow and cameraman Albert for a quick interview about the Marshall Plan! Bo and Albert were very nice and put me at ease (since I prefer to be behind the scenes), and fortunately, they are dog people, so they tolerated our “zoo!” We did a short interview and they asked me so questions beforehand to help them have a better understanding of our mission. They were here for maybe 20 minutes at the most. They even entertained our pooches for a bit too. They were very respectful of our wishes and I even showed them a few photos of previous Marshall Plan deliveries. It was a great experience.
Bo and Albert are also meeting with Bob today to get some more footage for the segment!
Our segment should be on tonight at 5pm! How cool!? Make sure to watch! If you are not local and cannot watch Channel 69 News WFMZ-TV, you will be able to find out segment online on WFMZ’s website either later tonight or tomorrow. Please be sure to look out for it! We are very grateful that Channel 69 is doing a segment on us!
We are only a week away from the delivery!!!
Make sure to watch!
Kait
Article
The Morning Call published an article about us in yesterday’s newspaper! Aweomse!!
Here’s a link to the article: Tastykakes for Troops Check it out!
Donations are still welcome! Any little bit helps. We greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!
Kait
Donations
Hey all! I’m back in PA with only 11 days left until our Marshall Plan delivery and only 8 days until the Bethlehem to Bethesda ride begins!
We have received a handful of donations already and we are very grateful! Thank you for all your donations! Please keep the donations coming, we are hoping to make this year our best one yet! You can mail a check to our PO Box: The Marshall Plan, PO Box 332, Bethlehem, PA 18016, you can drop boxes of Tastykakes off at any Allentown and Bethlehem Team Capital Bank location, or you can donate via PayPal (the link is below).
Thanks again for all your support! We really appreciate it and we are sure our troops will appreciate it as well!
Kait
Video Media
ViaMedia, LLC created a media ad for us that they will be scheduling to air on various cable networks throughout their markets. How cool?! We don’t have the schedule yet of when it will be airing, but I do have the video and I am able to share it with you! Here it is! Let us know what you think!
Kait
A Happy Birthday and a Homecoming
Okay. The move is done. My husband is home! Time to get back to the grind.
Today is the 66th Birthday of the United States Air Force! Happy Birthday US Air Force!!
We’ve had a handful of donations come in. We are off to a great start and we haven’t even started our main collection time yet. Awesome!! Remember, even if you aren’t local to the Lehigh Valley, you can still help out if you wish by donating through PayPal. Check out our Donations page.
Also, ViaMedia – Bethlehem has created a media spot for us. How cool?! We received the file via email late last week. We all like it very much and hope to be able to share it with you here on our site. I’m not sure when and how ViaMedia will use it just yet, but I am very excited about it. It’s pretty cool…so, keep an eye out for it!
So, as I said earlier, my husband is home! Yay! There was one thing that everyone requested to see from his homecoming… and that was our Great Dane’s reaction to seeing him for the first time in 7 months… So, I just thought I’d share it with all of you as well. It’s super sweet. I hope you enjoy it!
Kait
Letter to the Editor
LehighValleyLive.com published our Letter to the Editor early this morning. Just wanted to share it with you!
LETTER: Support the troops through Marshall Plan
We are now accepting monetary donations sent to our PO Box or through PayPal. We will be collecting Tastykakes at Allentown and Bethlehem Team Capital Bank locations starting Monday, September 30, 2013 to Wednesday, October 9, 2013. We appreciate your generosity!
I will keep you all posted. I will be heading back to North Carolina tomorrow to move into our new apartment and prepare for my husband’s return, so updates might be a little scarce the next few days!
Kait
Quick Update
Hey everyone!
I just have a quick update for you!
We are currently contacting media sources to spread word of our event and we are currently accepting monetary donations via PayPal or check/cash sent to our PO Box (The Marshall Plan, PO Box 332, Bethlehem, PA 18016).
We’ll have more updates soon!
Kait
The Date is Set!
We have a date! We are all set and approved! Now it’s time to spread the word!
We will be delivering Tastykakes to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 15!
Below is our press release. It will also be posted on our Press Release page.
THE MARSHALL PLAN COLLECTING TASTYKAKES AND DONATIONS FOR US TROOPS
Lehigh Valley, PA, August 28, 2013 – When Kaitlin Reinbold’s Marine boyfriend was stationed in Afghanistan in 2011, she sent care packages to remind him of home. Tastykakes were the most popular items with the Marines, particularly with one named Marshall, who had never had them before. In June 2011, Marshall was severely injured by an I.E.D. He endured surgeries, rehabilitation and physical therapy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Marshall’s story inspired Bob Price, a friend of Kaitlin’s family, with an idea: to show wounded warriors our gratitude and respect by delivering boxes of Tastykakes to Walter Reed. “The Marshall Plan” came together. In October 2011, Bob and Dave Reinbold, Kaitlin’s father, rode on bicycles from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Bethesda, Maryland – 200 miles – followed by the Tastykakes and the rest of the team by car a few days later. The Plan was successfully repeated in October of 2012.
Over the last two years, the Marshall Plan has delivered more than 3,000 boxes of Tastykakes and over $20,000 in monetary donations, most of which was used to purchase gift cards for wounded warriors and their families.
The Marshall Plan succeeded because of the kindness and generosity of family members, friends and citizens of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Support also came from Team Capital Bank, The Tasty Baking Company/Flowers Foods, and especially Lehigh Valley Tastykake Sales Distributors who were quick to respond with a generous donation.
The Marshall Plan is gearing up to repeat the drive to support our wounded troops. The delivery to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland is scheduled for the week of October 14, 2013. Fresh Tastykakes can be dropped off at any Team Capital Bank location from Monday, September 30 through Wednesday, October 9. Monetary contributions can be mailed to: The Marshall Plan, P.O. Box 332, Bethlehem, PA 18016.
**To learn more about The Marshall Plan, see photos and information about efforts to aid our military, visit www.SweetThanks4Troops.com
I hope you all enjoy your weekend!
Kait
Local Story and Great Organizations
Here’s a great local story about a wounded warrior who just received a key to a new home. Very cool. You should definitely check it out.
Wounded soldier presented with key to new home
The story also features 2 military supporting charities (along with Fairway Independent Mortgage) who helped in providing this wounded warrior, Army Specialist Tyler Scheill, with his new home.
Military Warriors Support Foundation has multiple programs that help our countries heroes, like housing, jobs, and education.
The Boot Campaign provides easy ways for Americans to get involved, show appreciation for our troops, bring about awareness and raise funds for military programs.
Pretty cool if you ask me! They are great organizations. Check them out and maybe one of them will interest you enough to get involved!
Sometimes Life Gets in the Way
I’ve been super busy lately… in the process of moving and getting back to work and attempting to find ways to go back to school. I haven’t forgotten about the Marshall Plan! It’s just that sometimes the rest of my life gets in the way and keeps me from posting.
I’ve been following the news and busy supporting my SO with many care packages while he is deployed.
This past week was a sad week for the Marine Corps. Hopefully, there will be more positive news!
Here’s a link to a website for a documentary called “The Hornet’s Nest.” It’s a true story about some of our military in Afghanistan surviving against the constant threat about the Taliban. Check out the trailer.
Kait
Don’t Worry…
I haven’t forgotten about you! It’s just been crazy busy here lately!
Over the holidays, we received 2 very cool and very nice donations! First was a donation from a 9 year old who decided that for his teachers’ holiday gifts, instead of buying them something, he was going to donate money to The Marshall Plan. What a cool idea! He gave his teachers a note explaining to them about The Marshall Plan and that he donated to it as their gift. So cool. What an awesome kid!
The other donation we received over the holidays was from a woman and her husband who donate money every Christmas to a different charity for each of their grandchildren. They like to pick something that is relevant to their life someway. One of their grandchildren attends Marshall University and they thought donating to The Marshall Plan was fitting because of the name. What another cool idea!
We are so grateful that we were thought of during the holiday season and we are very grateful to receive to generous donations! Thank you!
I’ll update again soon!
Kait
Post-Press Release
Here is our Post-Press Release for this year’s Marshall Plan!
The Marshall Plan: A Sweet Success – Again!
When Kaitlin Reinbold’s Marine boyfriend was stationed in Afghanistan in 2011, she sent care packages to remind him of home. Tastykakes were the most popular items with the Marines, particularly one named Marshall, who’d never had them before. In June 2011, Marshall was severely injured by an I.E.D. He was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, where he continues his rehab today.
Marshall’s story inspired Bob Price, a friend of Kaitlin’s family, to come up with the idea to show gratitude and respect to wounded warriors by delivering Tastykakes to Walter Reed. “The Marshall Plan” came together. Bob and Dave Reinbold, Kaitlin’s father, rode on bicycles from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Bethesda Maryland -200 miles -followed by the Tastykakes (thanks to Tom and Kari Mesko) and the rest of the team by car a few days later. On October 17, 2011, the team delivered approximately 1,600 boxes of Tastykakes and more than $9,000 in monetary donations, most of which was used to purchase gift cards for wounded warriors and their families. (Please see our website Sweetthanks4troops.com for commentary and photos.)
The plan succeeded far beyond our expectations, thanks to the kindness and generosity of family members, friends, and citizens of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Support also came from Team Capital Bank, The Tasty Baking Company, and especially Lehigh Valley Tastykake Sales Distributors who were quick to respond with a generous donation.
Inspired by the success of last years’ Plan, we decided to repeat it this year. Once again, we were able to donate approximately 1,600 boxes of Tastykakes and $11,000 in gift cards and monetary donations on October 15, 2012. While last years’ donation was simply dropped off at the Medical Center, this time we were able to distribute some of the donations ourselves. The Tastykakes and gift cards were received with smiles and thanks, but for us, being able to personally express our gratitude to these men and women for their service was an amazing privilege. There was a feeling of pride, honor and willingness to serve on the face of every service person we met, and their courage and strength of spirit in the face of adversity was humbling.
We would again like to sincerely thank all those who donated and supported us – generous family, friends, citizens and businesses of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, Flowers Foods, and especially Team Capital Bank and the Lehigh Valley Tastykake Sales Distributors. We look forward a repeat of The Marshall Plan in 2013!
Thanks again for all your support!
Kait
Sweet Success… Again!
The delivery went well!
Here are a few pictures from the journey!
Here is Linda’s account of the delivery:
Our sincere thanks to everyone who donated and/or supported our 2012 Marshall Plan – another successful year! We couldn’t have done it without you!
Sgt. Zachary Johnson and Corpsman Christopher Johnson, our liasons with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, were very helpful to us in getting set up to distribute our donations on Monday, October 15. Corpsman Chris Johnson also told us some of his fascinating and hair-raising experiences as a medic in Iraq and Afghanistan and gave us insights on some of the items that deployed military members enjoy receiving in care packages – especially snack foods, protein-rich foods, energy drinks, and baby wipes. Nine-year-old Gannon, who was part of our team this year, really enjoyed hearing why tough men and women in uniform wanted baby wipes, and Corpsman Johnson enthusiastically explained this. He also taught us how to chill a can of soda or energy drink by placing it in a wet sock and hanging it where it can catch a breeze. This cools a drink down to about 70 degrees, which tastes like it’s straight from the fridge when the outside temperature is 120!
On a more serious note, being able to personally distribute some of our Tastykake and gift card donations this year was such an incredible privilege. Funny how something as simple as a box of Tastykakes could bring smiles to so many faces. Some had never had them, some had gotten them in care packages while deployed, and some related being from Philadelphia or surrounding area hometowns and having grown up with them. They were very happy with the variety we had to offer and the opportunity to try new flavors!
We were able to speak with (and shake hands with) so many wounded warriors – male and female – and with their parents and spouses as well. We heard stories that inspired and humbled us, and many that gave us chills and brought tears to our eyes. One mother told us of her daughter who’d been shot five times. Another mom’s son had stepped on an IED that was intentionally detonated when someone saw him approach it. Both moms were told their children would probably not make it – yet over a year later, they are with us and doing fairly well. A mom and dad accepted some Tastykakes for their son who was in surgery as we spoke. Other parents told us of being at Walter Reed to celebrate their son’s 25th birthday – something they didn’t think he would see when he came to the Medical Center earlier this year. One warrior with a prosthetic leg told us of the sled hockey team he’d just joined. So many – too many – were multiple amputees, some ambulating on prosthetics or with crutches, others still in wheelchairs. We saw many scars and bandages, an abundance of artificial limbs, many orthopedic devices, and a variety of mobility aids. Yet the wounded warriors we saw and spoke with always had a smile and conveyed a sense of pride and honor in being able to serve. They thanked us sincerely for the cupcakes and gift cards that seemed so insignificant compared to what we gratefully thanked them for – their service and sacrifices for our country.
– Linda Reinbold
Looks like they had a great time! Wish I could’ve been there. Thank you so much for all your support and donations! We really appreciate it! We look forward to doing this again next year! I hope you enjoy Linda’s account of the delivery and the pictures courtesy of Kari and Linda.
Kait
Here We Go…!
Lots going on lately!
I unfortunately will not be able to attend the delivery this year partly because I am so far away in NC now and because of work. However, I’ve been able to help out from afar, which has been great.
Luckily, I was able to get home to PA over Columbus Day weekend, so I had some time to catch up and see what all was going on with the Marshall Plan. We had a few days where we had close to 20 envelopes in the PO Box, which was awesome! We’ve had a handful of monetary donations come in via PayPal as well. Lots of Tastykakes too! It was nice to actually be there for a few days to see what’s happening!
We have roughly the same amount of Tastykakes as last year! Yay! And I believe we will exceed the amount of monetary donations we received last year as well! Awesome!
Mom will be purchasing all the gift cards soon.
While the Tastykake drive has ended, you can still donate money by sending a check or cash to: The Marshall Plan, PO Box 285, Bethlehem, PA 18016. Or.. you can donate via Paypal – check out our donate page on how to do that.
The bike ride from Bethlehem to Bethesda started this morning. Dad and Bob hit the road! They’ll arrive in Bethesda on Sunday!
I’m pumped! What another great year of the Marshall Plan, but you can still help out to make it even better!!
Kait
Another Article!
A local Lehigh Valley newspaper, The Morning Call, published an article about the Marshall Plan in their Tuesday, October 2, newspaper! They also posted the article online on Thursday. Here’s the article: Help sweeten the days of wounded soldiers with Tastykake donations.
Lots of donations have been pouring in over the last few days! It’s great! Very excited! Hoping this year is just as successful, if not more than last year!
Thanks for your support! We look forward to being able to brighten the days of just a handful of our countries many wounded warriors!
Kait
Donations, The Express-Times, and a Love Story…
Great news! We have some donations coming in and our Tastykake drive starts on Monday, Oct. 1! Please donate!
Yesterday, I spoke with 2 local newspapers: The Express-Times and The Morning Call. The Express-Times published an article about us on their website this morning! Here’s the link: Tastykake drive for troops kicks off Monday. The Morning Call will be publishing an article about us on their website shortly and will publish it in their newspaper on Tuesday!
I’m sure many of you have seen this true American love story gone viral. I’ve seen it all over the internet lately and I love it. Here are the 22 pictures that share Taylor Morris and Danielle Kelly’s truly inspiring love story. This is what true love is. A Love Story in 22 Pictures.
It’s true what they say, a picture really does speak 1000 words.
To add to the 22 pictures of that wonderful story, here’s an article from The Huffington Post about Taylor and Danielle, AND a video of them dancing together. It’s too great to not share. Taylor Morris, Quadruple Amputee, Dances with Girlfriend Danielle Kelly (VIDEO)
Dogs and Vets
We got the go ahead from WRNMMCB for The Marshall Plan 2.0. We just need to figure out the logistics now!
To continue the theme from the last blog post… I stumbled across a couple of books about man’s best friend and the military. They both look good! I need to add them to my book list.
Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Fmr Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter
Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes by Maria Goodavage
In other news… The Veterans Skills to Jobs Act made advances last week. The House passed it on July 10th. Here’s an article from The Washington Post going into more detail: Veterans job qualifications bill advances
Good stuff. We’ll keep you posted.
Kait
New Finds
We used the monetary donations we received after our big delivery in a few ways. We donated to the USO, we sent care packages to a Marine unit deployed to Afghanistan (via AnyMarine) and we also sent a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Yesterday, in the mail, we received a nice letter from the Wounded Warrior Project thanking us for our donation. It was nice to know the received our donation. They also provided us with more information if we’d like to continue to donate. If you want make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project you can learn more on their website.
While reading the news today on CNN’s website, I stumbled across this article: Injuries don’t stop vets from skiing, snowboarding. It’s pretty cool. It’s awesome to see that snow sports are incorporated int rehabilitation for some vets. It’s important to stay active and what better way to do that than getting back into a sport they loved or learning a totally new sport. I love seeing stories like this.
Also, I recently stumbled across a film called Not Yet Begun to Fight. Not Yet Begun to Fight is about retired Marine Colonel Eric Hastings who says fly-fishing healed him when he came back from Vietnam in 1969. Colonel Hastings reaches out to 5 servicemen returning from war and introduces them to the joys of being on the water and fly-fishing to help heal them from the tolls of war. Check out the website to view the trailer and learn more. You can also follow them on Facebook.
I truly am in awe when I learn of all the things people do to help our veterans. Love it.
Enjoy!
Kait
Newspaper Updates
The Morning Call still hasn’t published mom’s letter to the editor. It’s been over a week and a half now and we were originally told it’d be in within a week. Hopefully, they print it soon!
I just found out today that The Batesville Daily Guard published a follow up on The Marshall Plan on the 2nd. Thank you Batesville Daily Guard!
Also, from what I understand, The Bethlehem Press is still working on an article about us as well. Once I hear when it’ll be published, I’ll let you know!
We are in the process of sending out updates, but we want you all to know that we are very grateful for all your support! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kait
Military Ball and Updated Press Release
Over the weekend I attended a USMC Birthday Ball with my boyfriend. It was a great time. Got to see many familiar faces and meet lots of new people. It was a nice night to honor the Marine Corps and my boyfriend’s battalion, their fallen heroes from this past deployment and previous ones. It was also great to see a few of his battalion’s wounded warriors and to see how well they are doing. Some of them even walking around on their new legs! Very cool. Very inspiring. A humbling experience. These balls are always a reminder (as if I’ll ever forget) to continue to support our troops.
We’ve updated our press release to let the media and everyone else know how successful The Marshall Plan turned out to be!
So… here’s the update!
Press Release
Contact: Kaitlin Reinbold
Email: Kardolfin@rcn.com
Phone: 610-573-8240
Website: www.sweetthanks4troops.com
The Marshall Plan: A Sweet Success
Kaitlin Reinbold had been mailing care packages to her Marine boyfriend in Afghanistan earlier this year. Apparently, Tastykakes were the most popular items among the Marines, particularly one named Marshall, who’d never had them before. In June, Marshall was severely injured by an I.E.D. He was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, where he continues his rehab today.
This inspired a family friend, Bob Price, to come up with an idea – a small gesture of thanks to wounded warriors who deserve our utmost gratitude and respect. The plan was to deliver 1,000 boxes of Tastykakes to the Medical Center. Bob and Kaitlin’s father, Dave, planned to ride there on bicycle (200 miles), followed by the Tastykakes and the rest of the Marshall Plan group by car a few days later. The delivery was made to the Medical Center on October 17. (Please see our website Sweetthanks4troops.com for commentary and photos.)
The plan succeeded far beyond expectations. Approximately 1,600 boxes of Tastykakes were collected, along with over $9,000 in monetary donations, most of which was used to purchase gift cards for wounded warriors and their families. Excess funds were donated to the USO of Metropolitan Washington in thanks for their help with logistics. The response was heartwarming. The plan was a success, thanks to kind and generous family members, friends, and citizens of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Special thanks to Team Capital Bank, who supported us in several ways, The Tasty Baking Company, and especially Lehigh Valley Tastykake Sales Distributors who were so quick to respond and so generous with their donation. Thank you all!
Kait
Sweet Thanks for Troops: The Marshall Plan 