In July 2010, Homestead Valley Community Council began a campaign to sponsor VMU-1:
a Twentynine Palms Marine Unit deployed to Afghanistan.  The money collected would
bulk buy items to be shipped to our brave men and women serving under extremely
difficult circumstances thousands of miles from home. The people of Homestead Valley came
through for them with flying colors.

We began the campaign with a table at the annual Homestead Valley Park Fireworks Event,
celebrating our nation's independence. Generous people from our communities gave a total
of $200 that day, and we were on our way to reaching our ultimate goal of $2000. 
Then the members of our community organizations stepped up and contributed generously. Flamingo Heights Community Association, Johnson Valley Improvement Association, Landers Association, and Yucca Mesa Improvement Association collectively turned in enough to meet and exceed our $2000 goal by $400! We scheduled our boxing and shipping day for July 26th, and were joined by Supervisor Neil Derry, Field Representative Alan Rasmussen, and community members to box and fill out customs forms.
Boxing Day 1 Boxing Day 2 Boxing Day 3 Boxing Day 4 Boxing Day 5
Boxing Day 6 Boxing Day 7 Boxing Day 8 Boxing Day 9 Boxing Day 10
Boxing Day 11 Boxing Day 12 Boxing Day 13 Boxing Day 14
Click on these links for press stories on this successful campaign
To Afghanistan with love, Locals box gifts for watchdogs
Hi Desert Star 7/28/2010
YUCCA MESA - In just a month’s time, the Homestead Valley Community Council
raised $2,400 to sponsor a U.S. Marine outfit in Afghanistan.

Homestead Valley Community Council prepares packages for Marines (MP3 audio)
Z107.7  7/27/10  (PDF click here)
At the Yucca Mesa Community Center yesterday the next stage in delivering vital supplies of comfort to our serving Marines came together.
"Neither the United States Marine Corps nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this service/product/activity. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the U.S. Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes."