Supporter FAQ
Who is SKIP what does he do?
SKIP is actually the acronym for the corporation's full name, which is Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. Skip is also the corporation's Vice President and the reason SKIP came into existence.
Tracy Stiers brought Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. to life in 2004 shortly after her brother, US Army SGT Skip Spoerke, was deployed to Iraq as a replacement soldier for a unit with the Army Reserve. The intent of the organization, which at that time was little more than a small handful of family and friends, was to honor Skip's request that a few care packages were shipped to his friends overseas who weren't receiving much mail from home. As those service members received care packages they would ask that their friends received a few; and those service members asked if their friends could; and that's how Special Kindness In Packages came to be a full blown organization dedicated to shipping care packages to US military members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and their respective National Guard and/or Reserve counterparts.
When Skip returned home in 2006 the organization had already initiated the long process of officially becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. He assumed the duties of Vice President of the corporation and began developing a website that would allow supporters and military members opportunities to get involved. His sister Tracy is the President and other family members and friends took on other board member positions.
SKIP is a member of America Supports You, which is a Department of Defense sponsored nonprofit designed to help corporations and organizations like SKIP work together to support US troops. America Supports You is also a wonderful resource for the troops to find organizations and corporations that will support them through care packages and a multitude of other ways. To learn more about America Supports You please visit their website AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
SKIP has shipped thousands of care packages to date and opened a second location in California headed by Jenae Welch in 2007 that serves primarily as a fundraising source for the corporation. The corporation's Vice President Skip Spoerke has been medically retired from the US Army and has found that his involvement with the organization allows him an opportunity to help the men and women who still serve today.
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What does 501(c)(3) mean?
501(c)(3) is a just one of twenty-two different types of organizational tax exemptions granted by the IRS under section 501 of the Code. 501(c)(3) exemptions are for “charitable, educational, and religious” organzanations. SKIP is a charitable corporation. For many reasons 501(c)(3) is the most desirable of all exemptions because of the “goodies” that come with it. The other (less desirable) types of exemptions are for organizations such as civic leagues, social welfare labor unions, business leagues, social clubs, farmer's coops, etc.
View the Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. 501(c)(3) certificate (pdf)
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Can I get a military member's name from you and ship my own care package?
Sorry, but we do not give out service member information to anyone.
For a detailed explanation please review our Privacy Policy.
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How much of my financial donation actually goes toward care packages?
100% of your donation goes to supporting the SKIP mission. The mission is as follows:
Special Kindness In Packages, Inc. (SKIP) is a nonprofit corporation that provides a safe secure medium for the American public to offer support to U.S. service members serving in combat areas around the world.
Headquartered in Massachusetts with a second location in California, SKIP raises public awareness of the need to support U.S. service members through the SKIP website, promotional material, word of mouth, and sharing letters and stories from service members personally impacted by the nonprofit’s efforts. SKIP accepts requests for care packages and ships letters and packages to U.S. service members whose names and addresses the corporation has received. This nonprofit corporation encourages and thrives from the direct involvement of the American public in these efforts.
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I can't afford to donate, but I still want to help...
Special Events are fun to be a part of! In the past we've designed floats for parades, handed out information at Red Sox games, held yard sales, had booths at fairs, and helped clean-up community veteran parks. And of course, we hold packing nights to pack care packages regularly. The opportunities are numerous and volunteers are always needed!
Not only are we looking for volunteers to help the day of, but also those experienced or creative souls who have wonderful fundraising ideas that they'd like to share with us. Sometimes the best ideas come from someone else, and we want your ideas please.
Click Here to add your name to the list!
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How much of my donation is tax deductible?
Under IRC Section 170, individuals giving to 501(c)(3) organizations that are either public charities, private operating foundations, and certain private foundations may deduct contributions representing up to 50% of the donor's adjusted gross income if the individual itemizes on his tax returns. Corporations may deduct all contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations (regardless of foundation status) up to an amount normally equal to 10% of their taxable income.
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