School Supplies Stretch Budgets, Show Support for Military Families
If Army veteran Noli Foronda’s two sons dread going back to school, no one would guess as they greet friends while getting school supplies.
The boys, who will start sixth grade and 10th grade in August, were grateful to receive backpacks filled with pencils, pens, and notebooks at an Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade (BTSB) event.
“(The supplies) lessen the burden for each family year after year,” said mom and military spouse Leilani Foronda, who also praised the quality of the backpacks and supplies. “Thank you for continuing to do this.”
The Forondas learned about Operation Homefront as Noli went through the medical retirement process in 2017. He served 13 years, including three back-to-back deployments to Iraq as part of a logistics squad, and earned the rank of sergeant.
His family moved with him to duty stations in South Korea and Germany, where their youngest son was born. The Forondas’ eldest son aspires to a military career and has his sights set on attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Through the generosity of donors, sponsors, and volunteers, BTSB – which began in 2008 – will place its 550,000th backpack into the hands of a deserving military child this year.
Leilani expressed gratitude for Operation Homefront and its donors.
“(The support of Operation Homefront) shows appreciation for the service that service members have rendered.”
– Leilani Foronda, wife of Army veteran Noli Foronda
“Operation Homefront has many programs that support the military. It’s a big boost for each family,” she said. “It shows appreciation for the service that service members have rendered. Our families feel like they are not forgotten.”
The national nonprofit offers various programs to fulfill its mission of helping military and veteran families overcome short-term bumps in the road so they don’t become chronic problems.
