November 2025 Newsletter

SAFE Credit Union VALOR Group Delivers Support

Members of the SAFE Credit Union VALOR ERG (Veterans And Loved Ones Resource Employee Resource Group) show their support through action.

Troopathon partner SAFE Credit Union helped us kick off November and our vital Veterans Day support drive with an epic packing party. Members of the SAFE Credit Union VALOR ERG (Veterans And Loved Ones Resource Employee Resource Group) joined us in prepping over 600 care packages full of our most requested items like premium gourmet coffee, cookies, beef jerky, personal care items, candy and of course, personal notes of support that are bound for our deployed service members. 

SAFE Credit Union is a longtime Troopathon partner that has volunteered and donated in the past. SAFE is deeply committed to supporting our active-duty military and veterans. Founded by military personnel in the 1940s, SAFE continues to support today's heroes through initiatives like VALOR.

A special thank you to our SAFE Credit Union and VALOR point of contact, Dana and Christopher who made this special event happen and to the wonderful VALOR group volunteer members including SAFE Credit Unions Chief Technology Officer, Mike McCarthy and many other VALOR members who showed up to work hard with big smiles and helping hands.

SAFE Credit Union's VALOR ERG is an employee resource group dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. VALOR provides career transition support for veterans and engages in community activities, such as organizing flag retirement drives. According to SAFE Credit Union, “We know the commitment it takes to serve our country, and we make a commitment to serve them in return. That’s why current military personnel and veterans are pillars of philanthropy for SAFE.”

November is Miliary Family Appreciation Month

November is a notable month for our military, there are so many special days of celebration, remembrance, and honor we just wanted to point out these military highlights as a reminder of the brave men and women who are currently serving or who have served on our behalf.

The entire month of November is Military Family Appreciation Month; this is a wonderful time to remember the strong American families that have members serving and sacrificing so much to keep us free and safe at home. It takes support behind the front lines to keep troop morale high, and our donors are part of that great big family of support.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Prelle

On November 10, we wished the United States Marines a big happy 250th birthday! The USMC has been part of every war the United States has been involved with since their founding in 1775. Today there are more than 200,000 active duty and reserve troops serving both state-side and abroad. Always ready, willing, and able to defend and protect our shores.

We all celebrated our nation’s heroes on Veterans Day this November 11th. Because of their sacrifice and service, we can go about our daily lives knowing our homeland remains safe. In honor of America’s brave veterans, please continue to fly your flag with pride.

Troopathon enjoys a special relationship with our veterans, they are often among our most dedicated volunteers because they personally know what it means to miss family events like the birth of children, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, anniversaries, and routine events like Sunday dinners or Fall hikes among the brilliant autumn colors. Our veterans donate countless hours helping us pack boxes for our troops and assist us with many of our countless tasks required to help us put care packages in the hands of those currently serving.  We are proud to say we count scores of veterans among our Monthly Smiles supporters as well.

Take a Peek Inside

An iconic Troopathon Care Package filled to the brim with love and support

A peek inside a Troopathon care package will find all the items our troops crave most featuring premium gourmet coffee, snacks, toiletries, socks, and so much more. Most important of all, Troopathon care packages include a personalized letter of support from you, our donor. Your sponsorship means a homesick American stationed abroad enjoys a taste of home letting them know how much you love and support them.

Sweet Treats Thanks to National Candy Buyback

Just some of the thousands of pounds of candy we are currently collecting from the National Candy Buyback

We are currently receiving excess Halloween Candy from the National Candy Buyback, sure to bring an extra sweet surprise to our troops! What’s more, you still have time to participate in our National Candy Buyback since we will collect excess Halloween candy through the end of the year, so don’t miss your chance to treat our troops!

Greetings from TF Nighthawk —Photo of the Month

“Hello ! My name is Sgt D., I am the supply nco for my troop, I requested these packages so I can share them amongst our soldiers. We are an aviation unit which means our people repair aircrafts and our pilots fly them!! What makes us so special is how hard working every single soldier in our troop is, we always make the mission happen. As for me personally I have been in the army 5 years and this is my first deployment, I plan on someday becoming an officer!

I believe the care packages bring moral up for our soldiers because we are away from family and will be during the holiday seasons. I’m trying to bring them a little bit of happiness.” — Sgt. Pierina D, United States Army, Deployed