Many of you already know that I am a soldier. I have over 15 years of service in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and National Guard. I'm a lifer. So soldiers are near and dear to my heart. We've sweated and bled together. Because of this I have recently become involved with an organization that goes out of its way to help soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen alike in their time of need.

I recently began volunteering with USA Cares. USA Cares is a non-profit organization that helps veterans in three areas. First, they help combat injured veterans by making grants to help cover their medical needs. Second, USA Cares helps veterans by providing housing assistance grants and financial counseling to keep veterans and their families in their homes or apartments. And finally, USA Cares' "Quality of Life" program helps to provide daily necessities for veterans until they can get back on their feet.

I have read USA Cares' external audits -- they are very fiscally sound. Over 90% of all donations are given out to help veterans. That means that the administrative staff operates on less than 10% of the money that has been donated. Not many non-profits can say that. The first and foremost mission of USA Cares is to help veterans -- period! USA Cares is an organization that I am proud of and I am volunteering my time to help however I can. that's saying something! Because, as some of you know, I'm unemployed. My time comes at a premium.

This is the part where I ask for your help. So, for the squeamish ones out there, please skip to the end.

How can you help USA Cares? Thanks for asking (I love you guys). Donations can be made at the website -- usacares.org. But you can also make donations this very moment. Text "VET" to 90999 on your cell phones and $5 will be sent to USA Cares. In fact, I'm looking for help throughout the US with this texting project.

USA Cares is preparing to roll out its 50-50 program. 50-50 is short for "50 States in 50 Days." We want to get volunteers to help us coordinate a 50-day fund-raising drive in all 50 states. Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 by getting at least 100 people to donate $5 via texting in each state of the union. That's 100 people, $5 each ($500 so far), and 50 states (voila! $25,000 -- I know... multiplication). But we still need volunteers in several states to coordinate the effort. Specifically, we need volunteers in: MD, NJ, OK, SD, CT, IA, MI, AR, ID, MN, WI, MO, NE, RI, UT, WV, ME, SC, and WY. That's 20 states out of 50! Please send me an e-mail if you're interested in helping. Volunteers will receive plenty of support in marketing the efforts in each state. You won't want for assistance in this effort, but we need warm bodies to get the work done. And soon! USA Cares hopes to start 50-50 on April 1st.

Please let the veterans know that you appreciate their sacrifices. Text "VET" to 90999! Go to the website -- usacares.org -- and donate!

Thanks.

UPDATE 1: We've found our volunteer to coordinate our 50-50 campaign in Delaware. Just since this morning! But we still need another 19 volunteers (minimum). Contact me!