History

The Marine Corps Family Foundation was created in 2004 when Operation Santa USMC grew from a small local outreach to a national project. Volunteers and contributors from all over the country came forward to support deployed Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. In three months the Operation Santa project successfully sent Christmas stockings and gifts to over 6,000 US Marines who spent the holidays away from family and friends.

It quickly became evident that the Marine Corps Family was a firm foundation of strength and commitment for the Marines and their families who give so much to protect our country. People asked for additional ways to help and to show their support to our Marines. In answer, the Marine Corps Family Foundation was established to coordinate projects, to collaborate with volunteers and supporters, and to communicate ways to show our dedication and support of our deployed troops.

Since then, the Marine Corps Family Foundation has established itself as a charitable organization with demonstrated success in the coordination of events and projects. The Backpacks for Iraq project in 2003 was an avenue for Marine moms to find and create a way to deal with the daily struggle to find peace and strength while their sons and daughters were fighting for the freedom of Iraq. Through fundraising and resourceful shopping more than 800 filled backpacks were shipped to Najaf, Iraq and distributed to Iraqi children who attended the Marine Legacy Schools that our troops had refurbished..

Our first project launched a steady stream of supportive rallies, fundraising to fulfill requests made by Marine units, and special projects, like Operation Santa-USMC, Operation Never Forgotten, Operation Winter Warmer, and Operation Marine Corps Kids - all in an effort to show tangible support for our deployed Marines and their families here at home.

Today the list of projects and organizations that are supported by the Marine Corps Family Foundation is growing. We invite you to get involved, to share your ideas and to become part of our Marine Corps family.

Semper Fi

Connie Riecke (503)409-5905

Founded in 2004, the Marine Corp Family Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Salem, Oregon For IRS information contact www.guidestar.org FED ID# provided upon request.