Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon: Supporting America's Heroes

Ten Gun Design has supported a number of non-profit clients over the years through design donations and development assistance. Every super hero has an origin story, and our non-profit clients are no different. We thought we’d share the origin story of one of our long-standing non-profit partners, Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon. For them, their story begins, [almost] by accident.”

As every weekday began, Alan Krutchkoff arrived bright and early for his work day to begin at Unilever Bestfoods, in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 2003. What seemed a typically day changed, as he received a phone call from his wife Mary-Edna. 

Mary-Edna explained to Alan that a woman had mistakenly crashed into her parked car. With anger and frustration as his initial response, Alan asked his wife how this could have happened? Who in their right mind has difficulty avoiding a parked car?

As situation would have it, the driver of this car was not in her regular state of mind. Her son-in-law had recently been deployed to Iraq, joining the 82nd Airborne Division, an elite airborne infantry division of the United States Army, specializing in parachute assault operations. 

It was in that moment, Alan’s emotions turned to compassion. As a Vietnam-Era Air Force Veteran himself, he immediately put his military background and connections at Unilever to good use. He began curating the very first Care Package for this deployed soldier. Forming his own small platoon of friends and family, Jamey Hermanns, a Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division, was to become the first Adoptee of “Adopt-a- Soldier Platoon”.

Today, the overall mission of Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, is to lift the morale and support the welfare of active members and Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, their immediate families and the families of deceased Veterans.

AaSP takes great care to acknowledge and support U.S. Troops’ efforts, and assist them in their transition back to civilian life.

AaSP has an outstanding reputation for charitable giving. This New Jersey-based non-profit is 100% comprised of volunteers. Over 95% of every donated dollar, goes back to Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon programs. Zero salaries are taken and they don’t advertise.   

General contributors to AaSP go to:

• Care Packages Down Range
• Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) projects
• “Operation Wounded Care”

An astounding number of Care Packages are organized and shipped down range every year, through the generous contributions of corporate benefactors, organizations and the general public. Some of the corporate benefactors include: DHL, Nassau County (NY) Girl Scouts, TRX Fitness, Unilever Military Sales (Dove, AXE, Degree, Vaseline brands to name a few), Just Born (makers of Peeps and Mike & Ikes) and Oritani Bank.

Items found within these Care Pages used to boost Troop morale have included: 

• Coffee and Coffee Machines
• Exercise kits
• Razors
• Shampoo, Body Wash and Deodorant
• Girl Scout Cookies
• Live Xmas Trees and presents for every adoptee
• Boxes of cards from kids
• T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats

Morale Welfare and Recreation efforts (MWR) are also a focus for Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon. Over the years, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon MWR programs, have taken them to the Middle East, US Bases and Aircraft Carriers, often alongside the ever-impressive WA Redskins Cheerleaders, boosting morale and strengthening our Troops. AaSP MWR events and donations offer thanks and encouragement in a variety of ways, all of which can be further supported by civic donations year-round. 

Veterans returning home from service, often find it challenging acclimating back to civilian life. However, if you’re returning as a wounded Veteran, physical and mental challenges can seem insurmountable. This is why AaSP makes it possible for 100% of every dollar to go directly into “Operation Wounded Care,” AaSP’s Wounded/Recovering Veteran Program. Assistance from “Operation Wounded Care” is tailored to:

• Transportation Assistance
• Needed Home Renovations
•  Individual needs, all which improve independence and self esteem.

There’s also an annual event, “Salute to American Heroes,” that raises money for AaSP Wounded Veterans. 100% of the net revenue from “Salute to American Heroes” goes back to AaSP’s Wounded Veterans Program.

Giving back and supporting U.S. Troops has been a commitment for Ten Gun Design for many years. We believe in Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, and in the goodwill Alan and Mary-Edna Krutchkoff are spreading throughout the lives of our country’s adopted service men and women. If you are interested in Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, and wish to know more, please visit their website, www.adoptasoldierplatoon.org.