Collaborative Courts: Serving Those Who Serve
At the Sacramento Operation Center, a powerful story of service, redemption, and community came to life during a recent gathering hosted by Troopathon for the Collaborative Courts of Sacramento County. The day centered on a shared mission: assembling 1,152 care packages tailored to the specific requests of military families worldwide. Beyond the boxes and essential items packed for service members, the event celebrated a deeper, transformative journey of giving back, highlighting an enduring partnership with the Veterans Treatment Court.
Led by the Honorable Judge Brown, a dedicated group of probation officers, court staff, and program participants came together to labor side by side. Veterans and civilians who are working through the court system invested their time and energy into sending tangible support to troops stationed across the globe. For these participants, the act of packing care packages is more than community service; it is an avenue for personal renewal. The program offers a profound opportunity to channel their own experiences into lifting others, reinforcing the truth that everyone has the capacity to serve and make a meaningful impact.
A representative from the Collaborative Courts noted that the program proudly gives participants a chance to serve those who protect our nation, transforming lives at home while honoring troops abroad.
Since its inception in 2014, this initiative has allowed individuals to fulfill their required community service hours in an environment that fosters genuine pride and rehabilitation. The true measure of its success lies in the many participants who choose to continue volunteering long after their court requirements are met, discovering a lasting sense of purpose through continued service. Troopathon is profoundly grateful for the leadership of the Collaborative Courts and our probation officer partners, whose vision laid the groundwork for a program that has sent countless reminders of home to our military. Over twelve years of collaboration have proven that when we invest in redemption and community, we create a ripple effect of gratitude that reaches around the world.
Give Thanks and Lower Your Taxes: Support Deployed Troops with a QCD
As we prepare to gather around the table this Thanksgiving, counting our blessings and sharing gifts with those we love, thousands of American service members remain deployed in difficult situations worldwide. They stand on the front lines protecting the freedoms we enjoy daily, far from their own families and the warmth of a holiday meal. For those looking to express tangible gratitude for this sacrifice, a unique opportunity exists to turn retirement savings into immediate comfort, care packages, and morale-boosting supplies through Troopathon. If you are 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) offers a direct way to send support straight to the front lines where a reminder of home matters most.
See more HERE
This method of giving carries significant practical advantages alongside its personal impact, making it an ideal approach before the tax year ends. When funds travel directly from an IRA to a qualified charity like Troopathon, the distribution remains entirely tax-free and does not count toward your adjusted gross income. For individuals aged 73 or older, the transfer serves a dual purpose by satisfying annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) obligations. It allows donors to maximize the reach of their seasonal generosity while maintaining a smart, efficient financial strategy.
To send this essential comfort to deployed troops, instruct your IRA administrator to initiate a direct transfer to Troopathon, 3105 Fite Circle, Suite #108, Sacramento, CA 95827 (EIN: 84-1627277).
Because institutional custodians frequently mail checks without the donor's name attached, please take a quick moment to notify the organization that your gift is on the way by emailing [email protected] or calling (916) 441-6197. This ensures the team can track your support, deploy it to help service members without delay, and properly return an tax acknowledgment. Please consult a personal tax advisor or financial planner to confirm a QCD aligns with your specific situation, as Troopathon does not provide legal or tax advice. Your enduring support keeps our troops connected to home during this season of gratitude.
What Veterans Day Means to All of Us
With Veterans Day just around the corner on Wednesday, November 11, it’s time for all of us to pause and show some real appreciation for the people who have stepped up to defend our country. We go about our daily lives, head to work, and enjoy our families every day because our veterans were willing to leave their own families behind. They missed the birthdays, the holidays, and the simple Sunday dinners we take for granted, all to keep our homeland safe. If you see a vet this week—whether they are a coworker, a friend, or a neighbor—please take a moment to say thank you. And let’s get those American flags flying proud outside our homes.
It’s also a good time to clear up a common mix-up: Veterans Day is very different from Memorial Day. Every May, Memorial Day is a solemn time to remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in uniform. Veterans Day, on the other hand, is a celebration of the service and living legacy of all our military veterans.
At Troopathon, we see the incredible spirit of our veterans firsthand. They are consistently some of our most dedicated volunteers, showing up week after week to give their time packing care packages for the troops deployed overseas right now. Because they’ve been in those boots, they know exactly what a box from home means to a soldier.
If you want to do something meaningful this week, you can sponsor a care package for our troops currently serving overseas through Troopathon. When you order, you can dedicate the package to honor of a veteran in your life. Just drop their name and your message in the checkout section, and we will make sure the troops know exactly who you are honoring.
To all our veterans: thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and your continued dedication to our communities. Have a wonderful Veterans Day!
The National Candy Buyback is On!
The ghosts, goblins, and superheroes have officially cleared the streets, but if your house is like most, you’re likely staring at a massive mountain of leftover Halloween candy.
Instead of letting that extra stash sit on your kitchen counters, you can send it on a meaningful mission. We are collecting donations for the National Candy Buyback, turning extra sweets into a wonderful, morale-boosting surprise for deployed service members overseas.
The best part is that you haven’t missed your chance to pitch in. While a lot of candy drives wrap up immediately after Halloween, we are keeping things going through the end of the year.
It is a perfect holiday win-win. You get to clear out the post-Halloween clutter, and our brave troops get a sweet taste of home in their care packages right in time for the winter holidays. Want to donate your excess candy? Just ship it to Troopathon!
See more HERE
November Photo of the Month
“My soldiers love care packages. We have had a few come in from family and friends and it always brightens their day. Anything that is out of the ordinary and a small change makes them very happy. I describe it as little Christmas every time we get a care package.” Travis R. — United States Army Deployed
Travis is requesting support on behalf of himself and his platoon. These brave soldiers are set to be deployed until Spring, 2027 which means they will spend the upcoming holiday’s far from family and loved ones.