Service Member 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. 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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Will you sell or give my information away?
No, we do not give out service member information to anyone.
For a detailed explanation please review our Privacy Policy.
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When should I expect to receive my first care package?
Typically speaking you should receive your first care package within 2 months. However, we rely heavily on private donations to make that possible and sometimes we simply do not have the funds to ship care packages every month. If you do not receive your first care package from us in 2-3 months please let us know by sending an Email to nancy@specialkindness.org with your name and APO or FPO zip code so we may check our records and let you know why.
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How do you know when to stop shipping to me?
When you or someone you know completes our form requesting care packages to be sent to you we require an approximate redeployment date. Two months before the date we have on file is when we will ship your final care package. If you are extended or return home prior to your estimated return date we ask that you please let us know. Email nancy@specialkindness.org with your name and APO or FPO zip code so we may update your file.
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How can I help?
Although nobody is required to make a financial donation for a service member to receive care packages they are always appreciated. If we don't have the money to ship the care packages, we can't ship them. It's that simple. So, if you would like to make a financial donation please Click Here.
We would also like to invite you to write a letter to our supporters expressing your appreciation for the care packages you've received or even just to say thanks for their support.
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