What began as a celebration of personal achievement has blossomed into a major effort to thank those who helped make it possible, and a challenge to others to say thanks, too.
Frank Morgan said he was planning a June 27 get-together on the back deck of his Discovery Bay home to mark his earning a master’s degree. He invited his neighbors on each side, with whom he often holds communal barbecues, and as the invitation list grew, someone suggested raising some money at the same time.
“We decided we should make it a fundraiser, maybe for the schools or something,” Morgan said. “We didn’t want to waste the opportunity” by just holding a big party.
It was when the idea morphed into a patriotic effort to raise money for veterans that the whole thing exploded. Coming just a week before the July 4 weekend, it seemed fitting to dedicate the bash to some of the men and women who made his education – and everything else in America – possible.
“In spite of all the sacrifice our military veterans have already given on behalf of our country, they continue to inspire us with their courage as they return home and quietly struggle daily with the physical and emotional scars that their service has left them with,” he said. “They’ve sacrificed a lot for us. The least we can do is party for them.”
The What A Country party for the troops grew to include a pig roasting on a spit, kayaks, paddle boats, a water trampoline, and three live bands brought in from San Francisco to play on top of a houseboat moored in the bay out back. The expected attendance grew to more than 400 invited guests, none of whom needed any persuading once the cause was known.
“People were saying, ‘Hey, right on! We don’t do enough for our troops,’” Morgan said, and merchants ranging from food vendors to graphics designers offered to pitch in with deep discounts. The San Francisco ROTC eagerly agreed to staff the event and provide security, and even Morgan’s tax accountant in Los Angeles said “Put me down for $100.”
It quickly became clear that enthusiasm for the effort would outgrow the capacity of the homes it was planned for (there are now six neighbors involved), so Morgan and his fellow planners decided to throw down the gauntlet to all proud Americans.
“We challenge all proud Americans to host their own What A Country party in support of our veterans and families,” Morgan said. “Your guest list is your family and friends; even three people getting together can be a party. The goal is to raise as much money as possible to help our heroes, and the potential is unlimited if we all separately do our small part.”
Just think…”What a difference we could make if people all over
the country placed a donation bucket on a table every time throughout the year
they hosted a party, barbeque, or company event. After the party, the host
could log onto Whatacountrychallenge.com and donate the collected funds to
make a difference in the lives of men and women who fought and continue to
fight for the very freedoms we enjoy that allow us to have parties and/or events”.
It’s that simple!
Morgan said he plans to coordinate with the various parties, offering fundraising tips and official What A Country artwork that can be downloaded FREE to create signs, banners, flyers, etc. to display at there event. All of the proceeds collected through the What A Country Challenge campaign will go directly to an account managed and distributed to the beneficiaries by the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building in Brentwood California.
As for the beneficiaries themselves, Morgan said the community was asked to nominate a deserving veteran, veteran family or vet organization that could benefit from a helping hand. Those nominations are listed on this web site under the beneficiary tab. On the beneficiary page donors who wish can specify exactly which cause (or all of them equally) they want to support.
The goal, Morgan said, is to make “a significant impact” on the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
“If we can help someone with college expenses, get their car running or make some house payments, that’s great,” he said. “There won’t be any disappointment no matter how much we raise. It’s all a success.”
Your country needs “you”… will you party for the troops?
For more information, contact Morgan at (925) 383-5346 or frank@whatacountrychallenge.com
The Press: Editor, Rick Lemyre
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