Waves of Appreciation project marks five years of helping military travelers

Five years after Rancho Bernardan Reed Reichert founded the Waves of Appreciation project, the goodwill endeavor to help traveling military personnel during the holidays is thriving.

Due to its success and the high demand — each year supplies run out days before Christmas — organizers want to expand it to a record-setting 4,000 bags this holiday season. In order to do that, they need the community’s help.

At least $40,000 is needed to provide 4,000 cinch-style fabric bags filled with 12 to 14 treats that appeal to young service members, such as candy bars, beef jerky, potato chips and other snack foods. The goal is to provide them with snacks while traveling for the December holidays since young military members often do not have extra money for food during their journeys home.

The bags are distributed by volunteers of all ages at the USO Center in San Diego International Airport.

Money is ideally needed by Nov. 1, though donations will be accepted past that date. Only money is accepted since the snacks are purchased in bulk at a discounted price through the military commissary, Reichert said.

Donations can be made online at wavesofappreciation.org/donate. Checks can be mailed to USO San Diego Downtown Center, c/o Ginger Csizmadi, 303 A Street, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92101. Checks must have “Waves of Appreciation” written on the memo line.

But money is not the only thing needed. Around 75 volunteers are sought to fill the bags from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 at the USO Center in the airport. Bag assembly registration will open Oct. 15. Volunteers are also needed for four-hour distribution shifts between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Saturday, Dec. 19 through Christmas Eve, or until all bags are distributed. Bag distribution registration will open Nov. 15. Sign up at wavesofappreciation.org/volunteer.

In addition, 4,000 handwritten “thank you” notes are needed so each bag can contain an uplifting message for the military personnel during the holidays. These can be written by individuals or as community service projects for classrooms and youth organizations, for example. Notes or drawings from people of all ages are wanted. The deadline to submit is Nov. 9, though notes will also be accepted afterwards. Those not used this year will be saved for next year, Reichert said. For submission guidelines, go to wavesofappreciation.org.

Reichert previously said he was inspired to start the project after noticing military personnel counting their pennies outside the airport’s McDonald’s in order to purchase food and following a brief conversation with a young Marine during a flight. “He asked if I know if any food would be served because he had not eaten in nine hours.” He added that it’s not right that service members have to count their pennies to buy food.

He credits the Rancho Bernardo community and several organizations, including Knights of Columbus at San Rafael Catholic Church and former RB Lady Lions, for the project growing each year, something Reichert said he did not expect. “Without the early support of Rancho Bernardans, the project would have never gotten off the ground,” he said.

Another early supporter — which inspired the project’s “Waves of Appreciation” name — was the Pepperdine University Alumni Association. It was the first group to back Reichert.

“Projects typically have a fairly short shelf life, because it is difficult (for volunteers) to remain committed,” he said. “But this resonates with the community in San Diego, since we’re doing something for the military. ... So (volunteers and sponsors) keep coming back. ... It’s something they really enjoy doing.

“It’s been tremendously gratifying to see how well received it has been in San Diego,” he added.

Those who would like more details or be a sponsor can contact Reichert at 858-705-8118 or reedreichert@yahoo.com.