September 2026 Newsletter
Knights of Columbus Patriotic Service
Local Area Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus recently put their core principle of patriotism into action by volunteering at our most recent Troopathon packing event, where they hand-packed personalized care packages bound for our active-duty U.S. troops deployed overseas.
The Fourth Degree is the highest degree of the Knights of Columbus, explicitly focused on fostering a love of country and supporting those who protect our freedom. By joining forces with Troopathon, our local Sir Knights traded their ceremonial regalia for packing tape and boxes, working alongside our Troopathon team to ensure that our service members on the front lines receive a tangible "taste of home".
During the bustling packing party, the Knights worked in assembly lines to fill hundreds of boxes with top-requested premium goods, hygiene items, and comfort snacks that the military does not standardly provide. The care packages included premium snacks like gourmet coffee, beef jerky, trail mix, and Girl Scout cookies, nestled beside hygiene essentials including baby wipes, deodorant, toothbrushes, sunscreen, and clean, comfy Bombas socks.
The Knights made sure every single box included a personalized message of gratitude and encouragement, which deployed troops frequently note is the most treasured part of the entire package.
"Our mission in the Fourth Degree is to serve those who serve us," said one of the participating Sir Knights. "Standing at that packing table, knowing that these exact boxes will soon be opened by a soldier or sailor in a combat zone, gives a deep sense of purpose. It lets them know they are absolutely not forgotten." Troopathon is not an “any soldier” program. All our hand-packed boxes go to individual troops or groups of waiting service members who have requested our support. Troopathon then springs into action to ship our exceptional care packages globally to boost morale, reduce deployment stress, and offer comfort to our nation's heroes.
The Knights of Columbus encourage parishioners and community members to keep supporting our active-duty military. If you have a family member or friend currently deployed overseas, you can request a free, hand-packed box on their behalf through Troopathon. Thank you to all our Fourth-Degree Knights who gave their time to turn gratitude into action!
Send a Piece of Home to Our Troops Every Month
It is easy for life to move fast at home and sometimes we just plain forget to send out a care package, even when we really mean to. Time can just get away from us, and suddenly months or even years go by as we mutter “soon, I’ll get that done, soon.”
But our troops are out there all year-round, currently grinding through brutal summer heat, soon to be followed with fall months and still no mail from home, and then the entire holiday season comes and goes, and we are still promising “soon.”
As Kevin L., a deployed member of the USCG, shares, "Receiving these care packages for me and my group would mean the world! Being away from our family is tough, and receiving these (care packages) makes the day extra special!" That is why our Recurring Donation Program is such a game changer.
Our Recuring Donation Program automates the process, so you do not have to worry about missing a monthly or quarterly troop support package completed with a message of support from you. Once you sign up, a package goes out automatically to troops who are stuck in tough, remote spots.
The reality of these deployments is stark, as Timothy M. of the United States Army notes from the field: "After surviving TBM strikes, Drone Warfare, and the Austere environment so far, small little niceties from home are always appreciated to connect us with where we are from and what we hope to get back to soon."
Sign up for Recurring Donations and get this awesome magnet from Troopathon!
We do not need to wait for Christmas or Thanksgiving to show these heroes we care. Taking a quick minute to set up a monthly or quarterly or even annual schedule right now ensures that a piece of home finds them on a regular schedule in a budget that works for you.
What’s more, Lisa Baron our Director of Troop support will even reach out personally to say thank you and mail you an awesome Troopathon magnet for your fridge or car.
Welcome to the Family
If you are a member of our Recurring Donation Program, chances are you have been in contact with Lisa Baron at one point. Lisa personally welcomes all new Recuring Donation Program donors with a welcome phone call, an email to check in, and even a personally addressed welcome letter with her business card and a Troopathon magnet. Yes, she really does hand-sign every welcome letter, no autopen here.
Lisa loves our mission; she loves our supporters but above this she loves our troops. She is here to help with any questions and concerns you might have. She is an integral member of the Troopathon team, serving as Director of Troop Support and playing a key role in our organization’s success. In her capacity, Lisa oversees our Recurring Donation Program ensuring that our troops receive the care and support they deserve. As editor-in-chief of our Monthly Newsletter, Lisa is responsible for keeping our supporters informed and engaged with our work.
With forty plus years of experience in advertising, public relations, marketing, and publishing, Lisa is well-equipped with managing the daily challenges that come with supporting our troops. Her dedication to this cause is deeply personal, as she comes from a military family herself – her father served as a WWII Marine, and her husband is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief. Members of Lisa extended family members have served from uncles to cousins and even her own brother Cliff. She understands the sacrifices our services members make. Lisa’s uncle lies buried in the American Cemetery in Manilla, where he laid down his own life in service to our great nation.
Over the years, she has gotten to know so many of our wonderful recurring donors and she is always open to texts, calls, or emails, because you matter to her and you make a world of difference to the wellbeing of our troops.
Because she handles our recurring program personally, you can rest assured she will be your point of contact from your first recurring donation onward and even handle things like updating your credit card, your address, or a name change perhaps. Sometimes life changes and you might need to pause or stop your donations. There is no judgement here, Lisa will help you take care of that and will always appreciate your kind support.
Lisa’s commitment to supporting our troops has not gone unnoticed. She has received unit commendations and was nominated for and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Army Freedom Team Salute Program for her unwavering support of Soldiers fighting the Global War on Terrorism.
So, Lucia, Henry, Bud, Kyra and all of you, our special supporters who come into our fold through our Recurring Donation Program. The list is too long to mention each one of you by name here but please know she thinks you are the best. Thank you to each one of you. You make her day special every day because she knows without you on our team, our Recurring Donation Program just wouldn’t be possible.
Delivering the Comforts of Home
At Troopathon our care packages are anything but ordinary — they’re thoughtfully curated experiences designed to bring comfort, connection, and a sense of home to our troops. Each box goes beyond basic supplies, filled with premium snacks, personal care items, and meaningful touches that lift spirits and remind service members they’re appreciated and not forgotten. From seasonal surprises to handwritten messages of support, every detail is intentional, turning a simple package into a powerful moment of encouragement. It’s not just what’s inside the box—it’s the feeling it delivers when it’s opened.
September Photo of the Month
Lydia J. is currently deployed far from home, serving in the United States Air Force. She reached out to share a reality that many of our service members face: she doesn't have a strong support network back home. In her own words, it “would mean a lot to feel cared for.” With Lydia facing a long, arduous deployment, we want to show her our support.