Located in an unassuming light industrial park in Farmers Branch, Texas, a small warehouse of superheroes works tirelessly to serve those who serve us all.
Receiving, sorting, packaging, and shipping thousands of boxes filled with material necessities that most of us take for granted, The Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas lovingly distribute much-needed supplies to military troops around the world.
Nancy Carter, founder of this fast-paced nonprofit, started the organization over twenty years ago after her son shared stories about his fellow soldiers who did not have some of the basics covered. Ignited from this conversation with her son, a Merchant Marine, The Angels’ mission burns brightly providing the needs of deployed U.S. military personnel across the globe.
Recognizing this as a gap to be filled, Nancy, a Delta Airlines flight attendant, flew into action and recruited friends, colleagues, and family to help her build a strategy to care for those who give everything to protect the world.
Nancy and I met last summer while she and her husband Frank came into the Plano Antique Mall to do some shopping. We spent at least an hour talking about the mall, our jobs, our hobbies, and Nancy’s beloved charitable organization. I could tell by the look in her eyes, The Angels and its mission is her calling.
I recently had two distinct and fun opportunities to support the mission. Nancy’s team hosts packing parties. Scheduled on Saturdays, the crew has two shifts, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, and they swiftly and efficiently pack a variety of treats, personal hygiene items, and entertainment gifts into 15-pound shipping boxes. Ensuring they get the weight and contents of each box just right, it’s topped off with personal messages of inspiration and thanks from those doing the packing. The boxes are stacked in transport bins readied for U.S. Postal Service pick-up on Monday morning.
My second opportunity was a fundraising wine tasting where I was (affectionately) dubbed “dump bucket” aka the unsuspecting soul who reaps the benefits of those who don’t (can’t) finish their own wine and end up with their cup overflowing. My friend Dana and I spent hours screaming with laughter as we sampled the vintage and negotiated additional snacks. At the end of the night, we ordered our (fair) share of vino and The Angels benefited from our evening of indulgence.
The room was filled with patrons and veterans dedicated to supporting this cause to serve those who serve. A silent auction stocked with generously donated goods and experiences was the hit of the evening and beautiful door prizes were given away throughout the night. Truly a labor of love and the highlight of the event.
While we were attendees of the event, Dana and I stayed behind to help clean up after the tasting. Knowing that Nancy and her team had spent their week in preparation for the big night, we wanted to give back some time to them.
Nancy and her team are incredibly passionate about what they do and who they serve. Like many charitable organizations, The Angels could always use a little extra help. The website outlines the various avenues to support the effort, including a list of material items that the team can pack to send to troops. Please visit airborneangelcadets.com for more details on how you can help.
If you’re not in a place where you can contribute, please consider sharing this article to your inner circle and beyond to get the word out about this great organization. Word of mouth can spread awareness to the four corners of the world.
Beginning in 2023, I will donate a percentage of Dutch Moore Living’s annual gross sales to the Airborne Angel Cadets. Stay tuned as we launch our online storefront dedicated to antiques and artisans, and if you’re local to the Dallas Fort Worth area, drop into the Plano Antique Mall to peruse our new and gently used goods. Help us do some good by giving to those in need while keeping usable and useful goods out of the landfills.
Much Dutch Love,
Mia Moore