Special Kindness In Packages, Inc.

Last updated
Special Kindness In Packages, Inc.
AbbreviationSKIP or SKIP Cares
Formation2004
Dissolved2011
Type501(c)(3)
Legal statusCharitable Nonprofit
HeadquartersEast Bridgewater, MA
Founder
Tracy Stiers
Website www.SKIPcares.org [ usurped ]

Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. (also known as SKIP or SKIP Cares) was a U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit corporation that provided free and fun care packages to U.S. military personnel deployed overseas.

Contents

History

In 2004 SKIP was founded by Tracy Stiers to honor her brother, U.S. Army Sgt(ret.) Skip Spoerke, who had deployed to Iraq. The organization started out small, sending a handful of care packages to Spoerke and his friends each month, and developed to accommodate the growing requests for care packages coming in. By the time Spoerke returned home in February 2006, SKIP was sending upwards of 75 care packages every month to deployed troops around the world. Stiers held the position of President and in 2006 Spoerke took on the position of Vice President. [1] On 25 August 2006, SKIP was established as a Massachusetts non-profit organization. [2]

Every year the Annual SKIP Dinner was held, a fundraiser dinner and dancing event filled with various raffles. Another fundraiser event that SKIP held was the Boots-in-Bars, which was the only age regulated fundraiser it held. [3] SKIP accepted donation trough igive.com and raised funds through eBay partnerships as well as recycling. It also sold "Support Our Troops" desert camouflage wearing garden gnomes. [4]

During a SKIP board of directors meeting on 18 July 2009, Skip Spoerke was elected to the position of President, after Tracy Stiers stepped down. The board also elected Karen Montagano to Assistant Treasurer and Shawna Mykes to Youth Coordinator. Resignations of board members, Heather and Jeff Jones as well as Robin and Bob Bousquet were accepted. Robin Bousquet took on a position on the SKIP Administration Committee. [1]

In July 2009, the SKIP storage facility was almost entirely empty for the first time since 2004, that is when SKIP began sending entertainment focused "Fun in a Box" care packages. [2] To help provide books to military members, SKIP partnered with author Jarrod Sadulski in July 2009. Sadulski's book 'chieving Your Educational Goals While in Military Service' was added to SKIP packages when it was purchased for donation. [5]

In September 2009, SKIP partnered with Barrett's Haunted Mansion. Visitors to the haunted mansion from Sunday to Thursday could have a discounted admission fee if they brought a qualifying item to donate for SKIP care packages. [6]

At its peak, SKIP shipped more than 1,500 care packages to deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines each year. The “Fun in a Box” care packages were some of the most requested by deployed US military members worldwide. [7] On December 31, 2011, SKIP ended its mission of sending care packages.

Military care packages

US Army Sgt Skip Spoerke in Iraq - 2004-11-02 Spoerke on truck.JPG
US Army Sgt Skip Spoerke in Iraq - 2004-11-02
SKIP Care Package Recipients in Afghanistan Troops in Afghanistan.jpg
SKIP Care Package Recipients in Afghanistan
SKIP Care Package Recipients in Iraq Troops in Iraq.jpg
SKIP Care Package Recipients in Iraq

SKIP's Care Packages For Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines were among the most requested care packages by deployed US military members around the world.

Care packages shipped by SKIP were free for deployed troops.

SKIP care package contents

References

  1. 1 2 "SKIP Leadership Changes Hands". PRLog. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  2. 1 2 "Our Deployed Troops Just Wanna have Fun, So SKIP Delivers Fun". PRLog. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  3. ↑ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.102iw.ang.af.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  4. ↑ "Homefront Help: Special Kindness In Packages Inc. | AFCEA International". www.afcea.org. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  5. ↑ "SKIP Partners With Author To Help Deployed Troops Achieve Educational Goals". PRLog. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  6. ↑ "Haunted Mansion Discount For Supporting Our Troops". PRLog. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  7. ↑ "Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. | East Bridgewater, MA 02333 Plymouth County | Veteran Owned Business Directory". www.veteranownedbusiness.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  1. PRlog.org - SKIP Leadership Changes Hands
  2. Guidestar Nonprofit Report: Special Kindness in Packages, Inc.
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