In The News
MEDIA ADVISORY
WORLD EMERGENCY RELIEF (WER) DISTRIBUTING CROC SHOES AND SANDALS TO 800 SCHOOL CHILDREN AT CAMP PENDLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Who: Children of deploying Marines
When: May 28, 2009 10:00 AM
Where: Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School
Lynn Gilstrap, Principal of the school says of the donation: “At first it was hard to believe. You mean a company that doesn’t have any connection to our school wants to help our children? It is such a blessing and, as said, almost too good to be true.”
“We are truly grateful to both Crocs, Inc. and World Emergency Relief for providing these shoes to our children. The response from the families has been overwhelming. So many parents sent notes to say “thank you” and “this will really help our family”. As we end our school year, I cannot think of a better send off to our children than to have each and every one of them walk off the campus in their brand new Crocs shoes.”
World Emergency Relief, an international relief organization with headquarters in Carlsbad Calif. Has served people in need here in the USA and world –wide for over twenty years.
“During these upcoming days as we remember our military who gave so much, we truly appreciate that Crocs, Inc. is willing to help us to help some unsung heroes we do not hear much about; the children of deploying marines.”
Peggy Reiber
Executive Office WER (Retired Marine)
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As we remember our military who gave so much this Memorial Day, Crocs, Inc. is willing to help some unsung heroes we do not hear as much about; the children of deploying marines.
Mary Fay Pendleton School is a K – 6 school located on Camp Pendleton, with a population of 800 students who are also military dependents. Most of these children have seen their parents deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan at least once. Many of the parents have been deployed three or more times and many deployments last as long as a year. “The children at our school are truly heroes. They know that their parents are supporting the fight against terrorism and know that it is mom or dad’s job to go where they are needed”, stated Principal, Lynne Gilstrap.
Gilstrap went on to say “As a school, we do whatever we can to support our children and their families. We offer family night dinners, assemblies for the whole family, festivals, dances….any and everything we can do to make life easier and more enjoyable for our families. There is an incredible sense of pride at our school. The children are proud of their parents and we are proud of our children and their families.”
It is hard for most of us to believe that this war has been going on for 7 years. Many forget that the war is still an active concern, but many others remember; especially the children who have a loved one deployed.
World Emergency Relief, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Carlsbad arranged with Crocs, Inc. to donate shoes to these children. “At first it was hard to believe. You mean a company that doesn’t have any connection to our school wants to help our children? It is such a blessing” Gilstrap continued, almost too good to be true.
People may not realize that there are a large number of lower income enlisted personnel in the military. Although they get a salary, they have to buy their own uniforms, pay for their own food/gas/utilities, and provide for their children. With the high cost of California living, one can only imagine how difficult it must be for someone to provide for their children. The reality is that bills must be paid before children can get things like new clothes, shoes, backpacks, etc.
We are truly grateful to both World Emergency Relief and the Crocs, Inc. for providing these shoes to our children. The response from the families has been overwhelming. So many parents sent notes to say “thank you” and “this will really help our family”. As we end our school year, I cannot think of a better send off to our children then to have each and every one of them walk off the campus in their brand new Crocs.
