Hi ,

As children you and I likely never went through the horror of being told "Baby, Daddy has gone to heaven."  Or, "Honey, Mommy won't be coming home again" because they were killed serving our country in the military or as First Responders.

That shatters a child's world. 

There is little you and I can do about that. But we can do something.

It’s the end of the year, and you might be thinking about making a tax-deductible charitable contribution. Alison and I encourage you to prayerfully consider Echo Hill Ranch for Gold Star Children.

The owners, Kinky Friedman and his sister Marcie, take their responsibilities very seriously. They have generously opened up their 258 acre Texas ranch as a non-profit, all-volunteer summer camp for these children.  There are cabins, a dining hall, horseback lessons, tennis, arts and crafts, infirmary, a swimming hole, water polo, and much more.  

For many this is the first time in their lives that they can be with other children who understand their loss, because they all live with it. They come to the camp and can just be kids together.

Near the end of the camp session the kids paint a rock with what they want to say to their Dad or Mom. Then they hike up Echo Hill and place it on the summit.  Those inscribed rocks will be there as long as the earth remains.

All contributions go to running the camp. No one takes a dime in salary, compensation, expenses, or any other way. It is staffed and maintained entirely by volunteers (mostly active duty and retired military and First Responders) and financed by contributors who care about these children who have lost so much. 

It is completely free for the families. Even the childrens' transportation to and from the camp, no matter where they come from, is included!

A child who has lost their Mom or Dad at such a young age can come to Echo Hill and have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bond with other children who have also lost a parent in service to our country. They become friends with other children who can speak to their heart, to comfort each other, because they are the only ones who can truly understand and share their pain.

Echo Hill is unique.  It is much more than just another summer camp. The focus is to help in some small way to begin the healing process for these Gold Star children who have been so deeply hurt.

Go to www.echohill.org It has all the info on the camp and how to support it. Contributions are tax deductible since Echo Hill is a 501-c3 charity.

Thank you!
Bill
W. J. Mencarow
President, The Paper Source, Inc.

P.S. Alison and I have visited the camp many times. It is the real deal. Not a penny goes to salaries, offices, professional fundraising, etc. We have seen for ourselves that this is a labor of love for all the volunteers. Because of that, we have given generously, and we hope you will, too. Please take a few minutes to watch this short video: https://youtu.be/XrXod-W_qhU