Q: With so many needs here “at home” why do you do so much work overseas?

A: Rescue Task Force has many domestic projects.  We support wounded Marines and Sailors at Camp Pendleton and Balboa Naval Hospital.  We have purchased and delivered over $15,000 worth of recreational and entertainment equipment and our volunteers have donated thousands of DVD, VHS movies and games.  We also provide Game-Boy and Play Stations.

We bring semi-trucks loaded with goods donated by manufacturers to the area and distribute tons of such things as household supplies, disposable diapers, and non-perishable food items.  We recently delivered 48,000 pounds of school supplies to Mary K. Pendleton elementary school at Camp Pendleton.

RTF hand delivers a “welcome Home” back-pack to incoming wounded service members arriving at Balboa Hospital from Iraq, Afghanistan, etc..  These packs, filled with personal hygiene items, Game Boy sets and a game, books, CD player and a music CD, Visa gift cards, stationary items and stamps and clothing cost us over $500 each.  We deliver about twenty packs a month.

RTF was active in bringing immediate disaster relief to fire victims in San Diego County and for two years after the fire supported recovery efforts.

RTF was a first responder to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and continues shipping home construction supplies to our local volunteers in Mississippi.

RTF supports Olympicos Soccer League that provides supervised activities for about 1,200 San Diego inner-city youth.

RTF has provided over 243,453 minutes of phone cards to military service members and their families.

Wounded Service members are arriving at Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego.  They are coming in from Iraq and Afghanistan – direct from triage in Germany.  Most often, their Sea Bags (Luggage) are back at their units.  They are arriving here on med-evac flights with nothing.  Over the next few months there will be a need for about 145 packs

(* The Armed Forces YMCA estimates that about 25% of the incoming wounded are upper limb amputees so 25% of the back packs will contain CD (Walkman) players with music CDs and electric razors vs. the Game Boy entertainment items and razors that require one or both hands.)  In addition to the entertainment items the back packs contain a personal hygiene kit, book, magazines, stationary and pens and stamps.  The packs also have clothing items, a watch and gift certificates that they can use at food outlets at the Hospital. Rescue Task Force is responding – with your help

We serve where need most.  Most often that is in foreign disaster zones and in developing countries.  Here in the United States we are blessed with having some degree of infrastructure for ALL citizens.  Some may have to wait several hours to see a doctor.  We serve those who are often six DAYS away from any medical help.