MMN Timeline
November 12 2018
Quilt of Valor Presentation
In collaboration with West Point moms and a group of amazing quilters, Sue Ellen Shauer presented a quilt of valor to Michael Scuzzese.
September 23 2018
Facebook Community Leadership Program
Geriann Wiesbrook is named Facebook Community Leadership Program Fellow. This program recognized 115 community leaders from across all Facebook, Inc platforms, as extraordinary community leaders. At the time, Facebook-wide users numbered over 6 billion. With this program, Geriann was given training and a grant to create a meaningful event for the MMN community. She chose to create an all-inclusive leadership development program, to extend MMN’s ability to serve our troops and veterans.
April 23 2018
Morning Mail Debuts
Over the years, we have realized that encouragement is sorely needed. As a result, we launched a program offering a message of hope first thing in the morning. Ashley Ledford and Janelle France did an amazing job with this program. The daily posts are also available here on the website.
April 14 2018
IA Chapter Recognized for Excellence
Iowa Chapter earned the State Program Community Award from the Iowa adjutant general for non-profit community support of the Iowa National Guard and Air Guard. Iowa is constantly in action, supporting families, deployed troops, veterans, and collaborating with other organizations. Hats off to Cynthia, the Chapter Chair, and her team.
November 17 2017
Cookbook, Volume II
Our first cookbook was such a success, we expanded our team and created a second one. More mamas, more recipes, more stories. Thanks to Stacy Adelman for the great cover design. This cookbook is still available in our webstore, alone or as a bundle with Volume I
October 17 2017
I Love Someone Who Serves Published
Geriann Wiesbrook and two of her grandsons spent an afternoon writing a story about how it feels to have someone you love far from home. This book is the result of that afternoon, and illustrated by the very talented Walter Stroder. This book is available in our webstore and on Amazon. There are 9 more volumes in various stages of production.
June 21 2017
Facebook Communities Summit
MMN is one of 100 groups invited to attend Facebook’s Inaugural Communities Summit, for the most impactful groups on Facebook. At the time, there were 650,000 groups active on Facebook.
June 8 2017
State Farm Collaboration
We partnered with State Farm® employees and the Military Affinity Group at State Farm to support the men and women of the military by expressing kind thoughts with their pen and a postcard.
December 1 2016
Mission: Elf Launches
In response to the news of a Marine with a handicapped child getting nothing for Christmas, we launched Mission: Elf to help active duty families who cannot afford Christmas, birthdays and school supplies.
December 25 2015
10,000 Christmas Cards Sent
Only our second year in existence, the amazing card team gathered, wrote out, and sent 10,000 cards to deployed service members and veterans
September 11 2015
Remembering Kelly Moore
Kelly Moore served with distinction and was medically retired from the Army. On September 11, 2015 Kelly lost his battle to PTSD and his beautiful family lost their hero, husband, father. We helped Kelly’s family say goodbye in a manner befitting a hero. So many people helped but Delta Airlines is the organization that made an honorable transfer possible. We openly discuss PTSD, depression and suicide in hopes of helping someone in a way that Kelly needed and didn’t receive.
September 3 2015
Instagram Profile Launched
Tammy Ackley and team have gone above and beyond with our Instagram presence. We started with occasional posts but it wasn’t until May, 2018 that MMN was posting every day. This was our first post!
May 16 2015
Partner with Wear Blue, Run to Remember
As part of our ongoing outreach and collaboration with other great organizations, we began a partnership with Wear Blue, Run to Remember. We try to attend each run and hold a flag, honoring those who have served and saying their name aloud. This first collaboration had members representing in 42 states and we named Mark McCart in each one.
March 21 2015
Local Chapters Launch
Our first local chapter, outside of IL, is launched. Dallas-Ft Worth chapter has been an especially powerful part of our mission to support local veterans. We are constantly launching new chapters. Our Chapter tab has additional information.
March 1 2015
First Homeless Veteran Drive
A Nationwide supply drive culminated with Jodi Martinmaki delivering 75 supply bags to veterans, in collaboration with MN Assistance Council for Veterans
December 12 2014
Cookbook, Volume I
Our first cookbook, a collaboration of over 100 mamas, is published. This cookbook is still available in our webstore.
December 9 2014
Wreaths Across America Collaboration
We represent MMN all over the country, volunteering for Wreaths Across America, sponsoring wreaths and cleaning up after the holidays. Our first year, we represented in over 20 states.
November 15 2014
First Card Drive
Illinois Girl Scouts sponsor a card drive for Christmas, 2014
November 14 2014
Granted Non-Profit Status
After submitting our Articles of Incorporation, our first budget, many testimonials, and plans MMN is recognized by IRS as a 501(c)3
November 3 2014
National Conference
It was a small but mighty, conference, developing national vision and Board member roles, as well connecting area mamas and local supporters.