The Mission:
Use the power of movement to help our servicemembers come home.
One of the things I have learned, as a military mom, to a son enlisted in the United States Navy, is our service members have to pay out of pocket to come home. No matter where they are stationed, the financial responsibility of seeing their families falls completely on their shoulders. Yes, the government will pay for them to come home, but only once after they have completed more than two years of their assignment.
(at least when they are stationed overseas...I will have to confirm if that even happens stateside.) I can only speak to what happens as far as this branch of the military is concerned.
My husband and I are fortunate we are able to help our Sailor financially to come home. The cheapest airline ticket I could find recently was around $2,000. Now, we can't afford to do that as often as we would like, but I won't complain. It was 62 weeks before we got him home the first time, and I vowed to save every single penny to make sure I never saw that number again. This last time, it was 41 weeks. Not the best, but at least we are improving. Due to him being stationed overseas since November of 2021, he will be sent home for 15 days and provided an airline ticket sometime in 2024. (I think it's important to note 4 of those days will be spent travelling/due to the time change.) I can't imagine what it would have felt like to have had to wait 2.5 years for a hug. I know many Sailors and their families have to do exactly that. I won't even get into the financial difficulties caused by the death of a loved one. Wanting/needing to come home and not having the funds readily accessible can be devastating.
Talking with my son I learned many of his peers, in Guam, haven't been home since 2021. They just can't afford it. Just typing that sentence made me cry. It's so hard. Being separated like that-it's terrible. You miss them sooo much. And they miss you. Our son limits calls home because it makes it harder. We accept that. Don't love it, but it's always about what's best for him. He has to miss each and every one of us...and, well,... we only have to miss him.
If you are reading this, and your thoughts are "Well, that's what they signed up for, or that's part of the job", thank you for reading this far, but you can kindly exit our site. Here, we understand that's what they signed up for, but we also understand the sacrifice is immense. If we can help bring a pair of "Boots Home".... We are going to do it. Also, if you feel the need to debate with me about what they are paid- I'm not talking about officers or even those above E-5. This program is designed with the E2-E5 servicemembers in mind. I won't debate. This program is simply about helping those who serve our country visit their loved ones.
Many nights awake led to this moment. I constantly thought about what I could do and how I could help. This is my way of helping. I'm a mover and strongly believe in the power movement holds.
I am offering free LIVE yoga inspired movement classes every week. The classes aren't straight yoga. They are designed to create connection through awareness, increase flexibility, and maintain mobility. The days and times will vary- in hopes I can cover all time zones. I am asking, if you take the Free LIVE classes, you consider subscribing to our On-Demand Video Library. We will use $3 of every subscription to help us bring more boots home. The subscription costs $6 monthly and requires a two-month commitment. You can cancel at any time after the two-month period. The subscription will give you full access to the on-demand video library so you can move whenever you would like. I understand the LIVE schedule won't work for everyone, but I will do my very best!! We also offer the option to sponsor a service member or a service family member, so they can also enjoy the On-Demand Access as well. One of my favorite offerings is the "Private Movement Class." This will allow you to participate in a private session with your most favorite person/people. We accept financial gifts as well.
I know. I know. I have thought about how I will be able to get people to trust their financial gifts/subscriptions will be spent on bringing "BOOTS HOME".
My answer to this is simple.
FULL TRANSPARENCY!!
HONESTY!
A MILITARTY MAMA'S HEART!
Each monthly subscription purchased for $6:
$3- Cost of running this program- (website, video editing, square fees, advertising, licensing fees, & insurance)
$3- will be placed into an account used to purchase the "Way Home" ticket. (Bus, airline, train/processing fees)
Each monthly subscription purchased w/ a sponsorship of a service member/veteran/or family member $12:
$5- cost of running this program (same as above)
$5- will be used to purchase the way home/processing fees associated
$2- will support several organizations who serve our Veterans. I will also accept suggestions for which organization deserves the help.... a few already close to my heart, -Veterans Yoga Project and America's VetDogs.
I'm still figuring out exactly how a service member will be selected. Initially it will be done by sponsorship. Full disclosure- our son is a member of the United States Navy and is stationed in Guam. My connections will begin through him and his peers as this program takes off. I have to start somewhere. I will ask his peers to nominate a sailor who can't afford to pay for the "Way Home." Then, we will raffle off however many tickets the account can provide. My hope is this program will grow, and we can get more BOOTS HOME from every branch of our United States Military. It will take time- the selected service members will have to request leave...and, if we are lucky, maybe we can get their boots home without their family knowing. Who doesn't love those "Surprise, I'm home!" videos!?!
This program will evolve as it grows and as it does, I will keep all subscribers and gift givers informed of changes. A Newsletter will be created and the option to subscribe will be offered. Please understand, "Boots Home" Movement isn't currently a charitable organization. We are actively working towards obtaining a tax-exempt status, but currently any gifts given are gifts and are not tax deductible.
My family is close to having to say "See you later" to our Sailor again. Ugh... I don't even want to think about it. This program will launch the first Monday after his departure. Light must always follow the dark.
We can do this...together. I need your help. I believe in this mission...supporting our service members is an absolute must!
Thank you for your time- your support- your trust!
-ellen
(at least when they are stationed overseas...I will have to confirm if that even happens stateside.) I can only speak to what happens as far as this branch of the military is concerned.
My husband and I are fortunate we are able to help our Sailor financially to come home. The cheapest airline ticket I could find recently was around $2,000. Now, we can't afford to do that as often as we would like, but I won't complain. It was 62 weeks before we got him home the first time, and I vowed to save every single penny to make sure I never saw that number again. This last time, it was 41 weeks. Not the best, but at least we are improving. Due to him being stationed overseas since November of 2021, he will be sent home for 15 days and provided an airline ticket sometime in 2024. (I think it's important to note 4 of those days will be spent travelling/due to the time change.) I can't imagine what it would have felt like to have had to wait 2.5 years for a hug. I know many Sailors and their families have to do exactly that. I won't even get into the financial difficulties caused by the death of a loved one. Wanting/needing to come home and not having the funds readily accessible can be devastating.
Talking with my son I learned many of his peers, in Guam, haven't been home since 2021. They just can't afford it. Just typing that sentence made me cry. It's so hard. Being separated like that-it's terrible. You miss them sooo much. And they miss you. Our son limits calls home because it makes it harder. We accept that. Don't love it, but it's always about what's best for him. He has to miss each and every one of us...and, well,... we only have to miss him.
If you are reading this, and your thoughts are "Well, that's what they signed up for, or that's part of the job", thank you for reading this far, but you can kindly exit our site. Here, we understand that's what they signed up for, but we also understand the sacrifice is immense. If we can help bring a pair of "Boots Home".... We are going to do it. Also, if you feel the need to debate with me about what they are paid- I'm not talking about officers or even those above E-5. This program is designed with the E2-E5 servicemembers in mind. I won't debate. This program is simply about helping those who serve our country visit their loved ones.
Many nights awake led to this moment. I constantly thought about what I could do and how I could help. This is my way of helping. I'm a mover and strongly believe in the power movement holds.
I am offering free LIVE yoga inspired movement classes every week. The classes aren't straight yoga. They are designed to create connection through awareness, increase flexibility, and maintain mobility. The days and times will vary- in hopes I can cover all time zones. I am asking, if you take the Free LIVE classes, you consider subscribing to our On-Demand Video Library. We will use $3 of every subscription to help us bring more boots home. The subscription costs $6 monthly and requires a two-month commitment. You can cancel at any time after the two-month period. The subscription will give you full access to the on-demand video library so you can move whenever you would like. I understand the LIVE schedule won't work for everyone, but I will do my very best!! We also offer the option to sponsor a service member or a service family member, so they can also enjoy the On-Demand Access as well. One of my favorite offerings is the "Private Movement Class." This will allow you to participate in a private session with your most favorite person/people. We accept financial gifts as well.
I know. I know. I have thought about how I will be able to get people to trust their financial gifts/subscriptions will be spent on bringing "BOOTS HOME".
My answer to this is simple.
FULL TRANSPARENCY!!
HONESTY!
A MILITARTY MAMA'S HEART!
Each monthly subscription purchased for $6:
$3- Cost of running this program- (website, video editing, square fees, advertising, licensing fees, & insurance)
$3- will be placed into an account used to purchase the "Way Home" ticket. (Bus, airline, train/processing fees)
Each monthly subscription purchased w/ a sponsorship of a service member/veteran/or family member $12:
$5- cost of running this program (same as above)
$5- will be used to purchase the way home/processing fees associated
$2- will support several organizations who serve our Veterans. I will also accept suggestions for which organization deserves the help.... a few already close to my heart, -Veterans Yoga Project and America's VetDogs.
I'm still figuring out exactly how a service member will be selected. Initially it will be done by sponsorship. Full disclosure- our son is a member of the United States Navy and is stationed in Guam. My connections will begin through him and his peers as this program takes off. I have to start somewhere. I will ask his peers to nominate a sailor who can't afford to pay for the "Way Home." Then, we will raffle off however many tickets the account can provide. My hope is this program will grow, and we can get more BOOTS HOME from every branch of our United States Military. It will take time- the selected service members will have to request leave...and, if we are lucky, maybe we can get their boots home without their family knowing. Who doesn't love those "Surprise, I'm home!" videos!?!
This program will evolve as it grows and as it does, I will keep all subscribers and gift givers informed of changes. A Newsletter will be created and the option to subscribe will be offered. Please understand, "Boots Home" Movement isn't currently a charitable organization. We are actively working towards obtaining a tax-exempt status, but currently any gifts given are gifts and are not tax deductible.
My family is close to having to say "See you later" to our Sailor again. Ugh... I don't even want to think about it. This program will launch the first Monday after his departure. Light must always follow the dark.
We can do this...together. I need your help. I believe in this mission...supporting our service members is an absolute must!
Thank you for your time- your support- your trust!
-ellen
