My combats boots from Iraq
Boot Campaign is a grassroots fund-raising effort started by 5 friends from Texas, know as the boot girls. After reading the book, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, the women were inspired to do something more for injured soldiers who had served our country. They began selling combat style boots, donating 100% of the proceeds to charities that work to support wounded soldiers.
And that’s exactly how I heard about them – through Marcus. Marcus had served in Afghanistan around the same time I was in Iraq, but I didn’t know his story until just this year when I read his book, Lone Survivor (sorry Marcus that I just learned your story).
What’s even more puzzling is that I was familiar with one of Marcus’ fallen buddies Lt. Michael Murphy. I knew him as one of the Hero inspired Crossfit workouts named “Murph”. Which, by the way, was the first Crossfit workout that I ever puked from. Yes, it’s that bad. Here’s a video of some Crossfitters putting themselves through it:
When I saw that Marcus was involved with the Boot Girls Campaign, I knew I needed to learn more.
The Purpose
The main purpose of Boot Campaign is really just to honor and support our troops. Through sales of combat style boots, Boot Campaign is able to fund existing charities that work to support injured American forces. The organization that are supported by Boot Campaign are: Lone Survivor Foundation, Wounded Wear, Not Alone, and Military Warriors Support Foundation.
The motto of Boot Campaign is
“When They Come Back, We Give Back”
essentially meaning when injured soldiers come home, we will support them.
The mission of Boot Campaign is to have one million people wearing “give back” boots. There are currently 1.3 million active duty military personal in the United States, either serving at home or overseas. Ultimately, the boot girls would like to see one civilian for every active duty military person wearing boots.
The Boot Girls
The five women, Ginger, Sherri, Heather, Leigh Ann, and Mariae, who started Boot Campaign were all working professionals who wanted to find a way to support our troops. With varied backgrounds and strengths, they each bring something unique to the organization. The women of the boot campaign get no financial gain from the project, in fact, some of them used their own money to get the campaign started.
Promotion
Back in 2009, the girls asked the performers from Country for Our Country to wear the “give back” combat boots instead of their traditional cowboy boots. It was such a success, boot sales took off. Production had to be increased with outside help. In just two short years, everyone from celebrities, Hollywood actors, UFC Wrestlers, news personalities, politicians, athletes, musicians, businessmen, and hero’s have been seen wearing “give back” boots.
Buying Boots
Sales of the “give back” boots are done through the shopping page of Boot Campaign website. Boots are available in styles ranging from a typical tan colored combat boot, to shorter black boots – supporting most branches of the armed forces. They come in both men’s, women’s, and even one child’s style. Prices range from $45 for the child’s boots, to $170 for adult steel-toed boots.
When you click on each boot, you will get a description of the boot, but more importantly, a message regarding how much from each boot sale will go to each partner charity.
Other Sales
The website also has a variety of other merchandise for sale, including hats, dog tags, tee shirts, shirt dresses, shoe laces, and more. While it doesn’t tell you on each item how much is donated per item, like with the boots, on the page showing which organizations Boot Campaign supports, it does state that sales of boots and merchandise support those groups.
Lone Survivor
Great book from a true American hero.
If you have any interest in our military, then Marcus’ book is a must read. This book brought back so many emotions for me from serving overseas. I read this book from front to back in less than 72 hours and highly recommend it to anyone willing to listen. Check it out. I promise you’ll want to thank me later.
My name is Jeff Rose and in my life I've trained with the U.S. Army to be an Infantry soldier. In my professional career I've trained to be a financial planner. The recent financial catastrophe brings to light how so many people have become victims of their poor financial management. I combine the discipline of my army training with the rigors of my financial planning experience to help people do something about it. I want to help you become a Soldier of Finance and take control of your life and personal finance today. To read more about me, please check out my