Help welcomed for Wounded Warrior program

The local community has helped Marines in Camp Lejeune Wounded Warrior Barracks get home for Christmas for three of the past four years and its help is needed again.

Steve Tyson, a local developer and Craven County Commissioner, said he received a call last week from the Military Order of the Purple Heart requesting assistance in their effort to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Christmas Leave Fund.

“We did it two years in row and they felt like the funds were in place last year,” he said. “But the fund is down this year and we need to raise more money.

Tyson and Tom Braaten, retired Marine Corps major general and Coastal Carolina Regional Airport director, are heading up the local effort to raise funds.

They ask that those wishing to help to join them Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a fundraiser at New Bern Golf and Country Club. The guests of honor will be several of these wounded Marines.

There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, Tyson said. “Bring a check payable to ‘MOPH-Wounded Warrior Leave’.”

There is a Dec. 8 deadline in order to have the time to utilize the money raised so the invitation is circulating via e-mail, area blogs, Facebook, and Tweets to get the word out.

Donations are tax deductible and all of it goes for the cause, Tyson said. The donation goal is $25 per person or more for those attending.

“We realize this is a tough time to ask people for money and we decreased the amount from $50 to $25 knowing it’s tough and people still want to help,” Tyson said. “We’re looking for a good crowd.”

“Even if you can only stay a short while, please come by and meet these brave Marines and let them know we appreciate the sacrifice they have made,” he said. “These Marines have suffered greatly, some with debilitating injuries such as loss of limbs, etc.”

When asked what they wanted for Christmas many replied that they wanted to spend Christmas with their families and some can’t afford the cost of travel.  

This project buys airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, bus tickets, and whatever is necessary to get them together with their families and grant their Christmas wish. The program has no overhead. All funds raised go for travel.

Tyson said that if they aren’t able to travel because of injuries, the money will be used to bring their loved ones to Camp Lejeune.

“Attending this event and helping out is a great way to kick off the holidays, really,” Tyson said. “It comes early in the holiday season. Come out and when you leave that room you’ll feel better than yourself and more in the Christmas spirit knowing you contributed to a very worthy cause.”

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by email to stevetyson@ncmove.com or call 252-633-5720.

“If you have other obligations but are still willing to help with any amount of donation, please mail a check ASAP, payable to MOPH-Wounded Warrior Leave. Send to Steve Tyson, 820 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560.