Dorine Kenney Keeps Jacob's Light Burning By Helping Soldiers

Dorine Kenney had been sending things to her son and to soldiers he would tell her needed a little extra cheering up. She was eager to do it and happy to help send the comforts of home to those who didn't have family to support them. Eleven days after Jacob died as a result of a roadside bomb explosion Dorine started sending regular care packages to the troops. It was Jacob's 29th birthday and she wanted to do something to honor his memory. That was November 2003 and while she hopes they will be able to transition to helping returning soldiers soon, the foundation is still packing hundreds of boxes each month. The mission of the Jacob's Light Foundation is to "send to our military overseas the necessities and comforts from home…we focus on military without family or support from home…we want to give them the support they need and be a lifeline from America." Since 2003 Dorine has grown the foundation to one of the largest in the region. It receives help from dozens of organizations and hundreds of volunteers who shop, pack and ship boxes full of toiletries, snacks, reading and writing material as well as letters and pictures from children and members of the community who want to express their gratitude and show their support. It's estimated that more than 500,000 pounds of supplies have been sent to date. In addition to comfort items they often fulfill special requests for items wanted or needed, like heaters. Hundreds of volunteers meet each month to pack boxes that are sent to 2,800 troops stationed overseas. Learn more about Jacob, Dorine and the Jacob's Light Foundation and how you can help, even by something as simple as writing a letter. (photo of Jacob and his mom, Dorine)