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Move America Forward

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Move America Forward
Formation2004
FoundersSal Russo, Howard Kaloogian, Melanie Morgan
TypeNonprofit
PurposeSupport United States Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan
HeadquartersSacramento, California
Websitewww.moveamericaforward.org

Move America Forward is a nonprofit military charity based in Sacramento, California. Howard Kaloogian, Melanie Morgan and Sal Russo established the organization in 2004.[1] The organization supports front-line United States Armed Forces troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.[2] On March 20, 2024, the charity announced it was changing its name to Troopathon, after the annual fundraising event that it holds.[3]

History

Move America Forward volunteers sorting materials to put in care packages.

Sal Russo, Melanie Morgan and Howard Kaloogian formed Move America Forward in 2004.[1][4]

In 2005, the organization took its first trip to Iraq called Voices of Soldiers tour.[5][6] Soldiers were interviewed to share their stories in the success in the fight against terrorism during the trip.[5] That August, Move America Forward sponsored a You don't speak for me, Cindy! tour to counter Cindy Sheehan's protest at President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch and the vigils held in her support.[7] The following year, Move America Forward sponsored Trip Gold Star, the organization's second trip to Iraq.[8] The trip to Kurdistan, including Gold Star Moms, was for the parents of fallen American soldiers to see where their sons and daughters made the ultimate sacrifice.[8] That year, the organization introduced its Care package for the troops program.[9][10] The program sends care packages including coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, and other requested items to troops year around.[11][12]

Move America Forward held its first "Honoring our Heroes at the Holidays" national bus tour in 2007.[13] The tour traveled to over 40 cities in the United States and collected over 200,000 Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday cards for American troops.[13] That year, a third trip to Iraq was led by spokeswoman Debbie Lee. The Move America Forward delegation visited troops in Ramadi, at Camp Marc Lee named after Debbie Lee's son, the first Navy SEAL to be killed in the war in Iraq.[14] In 2008, Move America Forward sent a delegation to Guantanamo Bay to thank troops for their service.[15] The trip was organized by Kylie Williams, the official ambassador for veterans' advocacy for the State of Florida.[15] The second Honoring our Heroes at the Holidays national bus tour collected over 200,000 cards that year.[16] That year, Move America Forward hosted the first Troopathon, an online fundraiser, to raise money to send care packages to troops.[17]

K9 Care Packages, a program to support military working dogs and their handlers, was launched by the organization in October 2011.[18] Move America Forward was named "Top-rated Nonprofit" by Great Nonprofits in 2014 and 2015.[19] That March, the Rogers Family Company donated coffee and tea to Move America Forward for troops.[20] Stag Arms partnered with the organization for the 2014 Troopathon in July.[21]

In June 2015, Move America Forward hosted its 8th annual Troopathon fundraiser to help send care packages to American troops deployed in war zones overseas.[22] The organization raised over $280,000.[23] State Assemblyman Devon Mathis, Hulk Hogan, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Geraldo Rivera, Brian Kilmeade, Dennis Miller, Adam Corolla, Herman Cain, Ted Nugent, Jerry Bruckheimer, Joe Theismann, Tony Orlando, and Nancy Grace made appearances on the broadcast that year.[23][24][25][26] Prior to the 2015 Chattanooga shootings on July 16, 2015, Move America Forward advocated for more security at military recruiting centers.[27][28] After the shooting, the organization released a statement in support of lawmakers that wants to allow military recruiters to carry firearms.[29][30]

In 2016, Move America Forward partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to send care packages to troops overseas to show support for those away from their families during the holiday season.[31][32]

Move America Forward received a 2 out of 4 star rating from Charity Navigator.[33] Guidestar rated the organization as a Platinum Participant.[34]

Policies and programs

Care packages ready for shipping.

The organization annually hosts "Troopathon", an 8-hour live online broadcast that it says it uses to help send packages to American troops.[17] The fundraiser hosts movie stars, TV personalities, elected officials, professional athletes, musicians, talk radio hosts and many other supporters.[22]

In a partnership with the Jelly Belly Company, Move America Forward introduced a program where soldiers would receive specially wrapped 2 oz. bags of jelly bellies to use as gift to the native people they were in contact on a daily basis with.[35][36] Each specially marked package displays these words in English, Arabic, and Pashto language: "A gift from the America People in hope that your country will one day enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we have in the United States."[35][36]

Controversy

In 2014, ProPublica released a report accusing Move America Forward of giving a percentage of its donations to for-profit companies run by people affiliated with Tea Party Express.[17][37][9]

References

  1. ^ a b "'Fahrenheit 9/11' on the Hot Seat". Alternet. June 16, 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Carla Marinucci (14 June 2004). "Conservatives launch pre-emptive strike against documentary critical of Bush / 'Fahrenheit 9/11' called propaganda". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  3. ^ "We're Rebranding to Troopathon!". Troopathon. 2024-03-20.
  4. ^ Rooney, David (June 14, 2004). "Org Ignites '9/11' Fight". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "The Final Chapter of My Trip To Iraq". Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  6. ^ Mark Walker (30 June 2005). "Kaloogian headed to Iraq". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  7. ^ Jim Robinson (18 August 2005). "Supporters of U.S. Involvement in Iraq Plan Caravans to Texas". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b Nora K. Wallace (23 January 2006). "Lompoc mom hopes to honor son's memory in trip to Iraq". Santa Barbara (Cal.) News-Press. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  9. ^ a b Ed Morrissey (5 August 2014). "Move America Forward responds to Pro Publica report". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  10. ^ John Heiner (12 August 2009). "Move America Forward". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Depot Park Hosts the 5th Annual Troop-A-Thon". 30 July 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Want to support our troops?". 28 March 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. ^ a b Christie Garton (27 May 2011). "Honoring our heroes this Memorial Day". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Troopathon 7 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-27. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Pro-Troop Group Brings Holiday Cheer to Gitmo Troops". 19 December 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. ^ "MAF Honoring Heroes". 17 December 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  17. ^ a b c Kim Barker (5 August 2014). "Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants' Pockets". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  18. ^ "Local Hero – Supporting the Troops' Best Friends". 1 December 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  19. ^ "Move America Forward". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  20. ^ "Rogers Family Company donates gourmet coffee and tea to troops in partnership with Move America Forward". 31 May 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  21. ^ "Stag Arms Helps Raise Funds For Overseas Troops During Troopathon 7". 31 July 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  22. ^ a b "8th Annual Troopathon Aims to Send Care Packages to Troops Overseas". June 20, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Hosts Raise Funds for Military Charity". July 3, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  24. ^ "Hulk Hogan". Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  25. ^ "WWE News: Hulk Hogan Taking Part in Troop Fundraiser, Xavier Woods Plays Rock Band 4 at E3, and More". June 21, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  26. ^ "Mathis to appear on Troopathon 8". 25 June 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "CNN Newsroom". July 16, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  28. ^ "Sacramento-area troops react to Chattanooga shooting". July 16, 2015. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  29. ^ "Lawmaker wants to let military recruiters carry weapons". July 23, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  30. ^ "Tennessee Republican introducing bill to repeal military firearm ban: Do you agree?". July 17, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  31. ^ "Wounded Warrior Project Empowers Veterans to Give Back". WDRB. January 3, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  32. ^ "Wounded Warrior Project Empowers Veterans to Give Back". WFMJ. January 3, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  33. ^ "Move America Forward". Charity Navigator. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  34. ^ "Move America Forward". Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  35. ^ a b "Exposures: I Care: Gifts bring comfort, help troops make friends". Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  36. ^ a b "Exposures: I Care: Gifts bring comfort, help troops make friends". Archived from the original on 2014-11-02. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  37. ^ David Weigel (5 August 2014). "The Pro-Troop Charity That Happens to Give Millions of Dollars to "Tea Party" Consultants". Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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