IT REALLY IS OFFICIAL NOW!!!!

Laughing Wolf just sent me a text message to inform me that the IRS, in its infinite and undeniable wisdom, has granted Cooking with the Troops 501(c)(3) status. We are non-profit for real, babies!!!!!!!

We still need a logo and we've gotten some really creative entries so far. The contest runs til 25 June, so if you, or someone you know, is handy with graphics design, here's your chance to get famous or make them famous. (or infamous, as the case may be.)

We're still trying to get as many Warriors as possible to the Mystics/Mercury WNBA game in DC on the 27th. The link to donate a ticket is on the left at the top of this page. 18 bucks a ticket and 3 dollars comes back to WLF/CwtT. My wife bought 5 and I kicked in 5 cause she made me.

Cooking With the Troops Website Is Live

Although not fully functional and lacking in some content, CWtT is live on the web. We are currently under development and will have a lot more content soon.

We have no less than three events planned between now and 10 September. All of the events involve cooking and feeding troops or those who are making the lives of our troops more pleasant.

Our first event for Sgt Steve Kiernan was a huge success and YouServed.com has a blogpost coming out on Monday morning covering it. Of course, we have conveniently placed the widget for YouServed on our sidebar so all you have to do is scroll down a bit and viola there you are.

I'm very honored to be a part of this organization and even more humbled that The Hammer thinks enough of our efforts to join us on the Board of Directors.

What began for me as an informal, impromptu going away party/cookout in 2006 for a wounded Kentucky National Guard soldier at Walter Reed has transformed into an international effort backed up by Soldiers Angels, Warrior Legacy, hundreds of milbloggers and ordinary Americans who just want to help.

God Bless America and God Bless our Warriors.

LETS EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHALLENGE!!!!!!!

In addition to Warrior Legacy Foundation and Cooking With the Troops, Inc. volunteering to cook a few lunches for the crews building the patio at Fisher House, United Conservatives is donating $100.00 to the project.

I challenge all members of the Old Dominion Blog Alliance to match it.

Call To Action

Alright Virginia, here's the deal:

WRVA is running a fundraiser for McGuire Veterans Hospital Fisher House;
Richard McCann wants to build a patio outback for the families who stay there;
Warrior Legacy Foundation and Cooking With the Troops wants to help.

What we need is food. (What we need is funding, which gets the food)

So, from now until the end of May, every quart of BBQ sauce ordered will generate 20 bucks for the Fisher House Project. Links are on the left and yes, WLF is a 501c3.

All orders will ship on 1 June and you will be invited to join us for the free lunch. Keep a copy of your receipt and bring it with you.

Personal Observation:
I remember when Mologne House at Walter Reed didn't have a patio, and now it does, and the difference it has made is remarkable. I would love to see something similar down here, but thats reaching a little far. The patio at Mologne House was a half million dollar project, if it was a dime.
It has built in grills, concrete pavers, three different levels, and a fireplace on the main patio. Class act. We use it when we do our cookouts, and I look forward to every event at Walter Reed.