2014

COMPANY MISSION ARTICLE – Mission Two 2014: SGT. Rando

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MISSION TWO 2014: SGT. MATTHEW RANDO’s FAMILY  June 2014 Written for Caliber Technologies Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON/Caliber Technologies

The family of SGT. Matthew Rando has had it very hard the last year or so. Upon hearing of their troubles, Caliber Technologies jumped to donate through our non-profit of choice, Operation Once in a Lifetime.

Here is the Rando Family’s story:

SGT. Rando is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  He and his wife, Samantha, reside off-base with their eight children ranging in ages from 2 to 21 years of age, two of which have special needs. They have lived modestly on his Army paycheck while Samantha works as a stay-at-home mother.

The family is used to weathering hardships. When Samantha’s mother passed away, SGT Matthew and Samantha raised her two younger siblings, without hesitation.

Earlier this year, Samantha underwent major surgery which resulted in complications. These complications are, unfortunately, continuing and she will need another surgery in the fall.

Just as the family was getting used to the difficulties Samantha’s surgery brought, SGT. Rando’s  pay was disturbed in March.  There was an error in the amount he received. Knowing that it may be 45 days until the error was corrected, the family sought help through Army Emergency Relief (AER). This agency was able to help them on a one-time only basis.

His paycheck problem was not resolved in April, nor in May. Samantha tells us this:

“My husband and his command started working on fixing the error in March and they were told it could take 45 days to [get the monies] back in our pay.

So, we did the best we could to get by. Then when the 45 days passed, and it was not fixed, my husband went to his command and they went to S1 and Finance and found that the paperwork was still sitting on their desk and never turned in.

It has went up to the Lt. Colonel and they are doing everything they can to push the issue but it does not help our current situation.”

Now, with SGT. Rando’s paycheck problems still persisting, the family is placed again in financial need. This is when Caliber Technologies was contacted and we happily offered to help out.

You can help families just like the Rando Family with your purchase at Caliber Technologies.

Thank you.

COMPANY MISSION ARTICLE- Mission One 2014: SGT Downing

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Mission One, 2014: SGT Darren Downing and wife, Brook  April 2014 Written for Caliber Technologies Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON/Caliber Technologies

In a letter to our charity of choice for this Mission, Operation Once in a Lifetime, Darren Downing tells the story of becoming disabled and what he promised his girlfriend who supported him throughout the ordeal.

It starts with US Army SGT Darren Downing being critically injured during a tour in Afghanistan on February 26, 2012.

For the six months that he was in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for recovery and therapy, Brook, his girlfriend at the time, stayed with him. She put her own goals, dreams and life on hold to help his recovery efforts.

In his letter, he describes her hardships of being away from her support system to be with him. SGT Downing writes: “She went through just as much as I did coming back home, if not more. I had support she didn’t. There was no one she could talk to, She dealt with everything on her own. I leaned on her during my whole recovery; she carried both of our weight throughout everything we were going through. She watched me look myself in the mirror every day, with tears in my eyes, disgusted for what had happened to me, for the deformity that my injury had left. She was there to pick up all the pieces when I was angry at everyone. She was there when I was sad and when I couldn’t make sense of it all. She was there to pick me back up and to put me back together when I didn’t know how. To this very day she still does all these things; some days are worse than others, but she is always there.”

Following advice from others, SGT Darren Downing and his young girlfriend, now wife, were married before the process of getting medically retired was completed. SGT Downing writes again: “My wife agreed to get married on such short notice without her dress, without her family, and without her friends. She didn’t get her fairy tale wedding that she had dreamed of her whole life; (one) that she most certainly deserved more than anyone I have ever met. She agreed, under two conditions, one being that we had to get married in a church, not in an office or at a courthouse. Secondly, she made me promise that on the exact date a year from our original marriage, we could have a real wedding ceremony. At that time I made that promise, it seemed like a small price to pay for all she has done for me from the very second I was injured.”

At this point in the letter he spells out that he is asking for assistance with giving her the “dream” wedding she did not receive the first time. Caliber Technologies wishes to help this young couple. We are happily donating a portion of the sales of YOUR ORDERS to SGT Downing and his wife towards their “dream” wedding in Ohio this spring.

COMPANY MISSION ARTICLE- Mission Two 2013: Two Deserving Soldiers

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MISSION TWO 2013: Two deserving soldiers. Article written for Caliber Technologies. March 2014 Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON/ Caliber Technologies

 

During our Second Mission of 2013, Caliber Technologies was able to help two of our military families! Through our charity of choice, Operation Once in a Lifetime, we donate a portion of our sales of ink, toner and office supplies to help those in need.
We’d like to introduce you to the families of Sergeant (SGT) James Ray and Airman (AMN) Nichole Murphy.
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On duty in Iraq, SGT Ray was enjoying his military career, a loving family, and a promotion in the near future. Unfortunately, one day his vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) resulting in burns over 60% of his body.
Fast forward to his stateside recovery, SGT Ray was adjusting nicely to life as a disabled veteran. He bought a home both near his family and the Veterans Affairs Office in Lometa, TX. The home was equipped to accommodate his needs.
Everything was on track on moving day until, while driving with his wife to his new home, the couple was hit by a semi-truck. The timing of this accident is made worse by the fact that former SGT Ray’s wife was to start a new job the very next week.
Although both are recovering from this accident, the couple is currently living off of only former SGT Ray’s disability payments. This loving and patriotic couple is now in need of funds for housing. Caliber Technologies is delighted to contribute towards their needs.
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Air Force Airman (AMN) Nichole Murphy is a dedicated servicewoman and loving mother to a daughter named Haley. AMN Murphy recently received the hard news that her daughter’s illness may shorten Haley’s life; in fact, she may not live through the summer.  Haley was born without urinary organs and she is on constant dialysis and has a colostomy bag.
Having nothing more than a disposable camera to record what may her daughter’s last few happy months, Caliber Technologies is delighted to help donate a Nikon Digital Video Camcorder to the family.
Sadly, we were just informed that Haley did pass away in September, 2013. We all are heartbroken to hear this news. We are very proud to be a part of giving AMN Murphy some lasting memories of her daughter and wish her peace.