“I know people say kids are lazy, and have no goals. Well I wanted to show that kids are ambitious, and have a strong sense of pride. I started Tunes 4 the Troops to let the brave soldiers serving around the world know who they are serving and fighting for. It is the future of America, me, and all youth like me. I have a future to look forward to because of sacrifices made for me and all other Americans. I know I am just one girl. But I have a voice and I will use it to say THANK YOU to all that are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America!” ~Kaylee Marie Radzyminski
One teenager's program to supply music to the military
When she was fourteen years old, Kaylee Marie Radzyminski went to U.S. Naval Sea Cadet camp to learn about the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. That, in itself impresses me. At camp, she met some military personnel who said that what the troops overseas missed most was “entertainment.” They didn’t have a lot of music to play on their CD players. This touched her little teenage heart.
Now, I don’t know about y’all, but when I was fourteen, I was a bit self-centered. I would have thought, “Oh, poor things!” Maybe I would have packaged up my old Bobby Goldsboro records to send over to them (because I was sick of listening to “Honey” and Bobby Goldsboro was married, anyway, so it didn’t do any good to have a crush on him).
Kaylee Marie was a lot nicer than I would have been. She came home and gathered up all of her CDs to send to the troops. When her friends saw what she was doing, they gathered up their CDs … and friends, an organization was born!
It’s called Tunes 4 the Troops, and Kaylee Marie (now 16) is quite the go-getter. By 2008, she and her band of volunteers had sent 200,000 DVDs and CDs to troops overseas! She takes CDs that are used, she takes donations of cash … and she just works herself to pieces.
Rightfully, she was proclaimed one of America’s top 10 youth volunteers in May 2008 receiving a national Prudential Spirit of Community Award.
With Memorial Day around the corner, this might be a nice project, don’t y’all think? I bet you have downloaded those CDs to your iPod by now. Check out the donation page at Tunes 4 the Troops and see if it’s up your alley.
I think Kaylee Marie is doing a pretty good job of de-bunking the idea that “kids are lazy, and have no goals.” That kid isn’t lazy! She’s pretty darned inspiring — and that’s a good thing!
Think about the good in your world today, and write a comment if you’d like. Or you can join some of the other people posting for Only The Good Friday.
RV Poetry; Candid Karina; All My Great, or Not So Great Adventures; Inside Mo’s Mind; Thorne’s World; Down River Drivel; Duward Discussion; Ramblings of an Unstable Mind; Insightful Nana; Newbie Lifeline; Everyday Tarot; West of Mars; Life’s Journey; Round Circle; Barbara’s Travels;
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{ 9 comments }
I just love this! I know I have at least a hundred CDs I could send. I’m heading over there now to get the donation details. I’m flirting again and gettin’ my good on in Thorne’s World!
Peace!
Thornes last blog post..Gimme a Kiss, Baby!
Good Morning “Good Friday.” What a great idea…. and good for Kaylee Marie. Yes… teens are great. Hop on over to Insightful Nana and see what teen Nick Giordano is contributing to the world. This must be “Teen Good Friday.”
I’ve bookmarked Kaylee’s page so I can show it to my 15 year old granddaughter. Between she and her friends…they could collect a grundle of CD’s .
Have a “Good Friday.”
Insightful Nanas last blog post..Charitable Giving Heros – “Only The Good” Friday
What an incredible girl! When my son’s godfather was in Iraq a few years back, he mentioned the same thing and a bunch of us on Hysteria Lane packed up practically every DVD and CD we all owned and sent them. We also bought a few TV comedy series on DVD. He was thrilled! It never occurred to me, though, to take it to another level like this young lady did. She is unbelievable!!! I will absolutely check out her page and see what I can do! By the way, I am LOVING the new look of your site
Jessica The Rock Chicks last blog post..Life Is A Highway
Wow, what a great young girl, and what a great idea!
And I in the midst of a huge decluttering project with over 500 cds in my house…hmmm, I see something happening here. I’ll be checking out her page for sure.
Karinas last blog post..Only The Good Friday – Oh Goody!
Kids – teens – who spark a fire under other kids really impress me and give me hope. She is certainly a remarkable person! Thanks for a good Friday again, Shelly.
I posted my OTGF yesterday…
)
Carol G.s last blog post..It’s been a year…
What a great organization.
Did you change your template to something that’s basically plain white with large black text? Two columns, empty sidebar?
(Sorry, just saw your e-mail now.)
Robins last blog post..Galilee Sunset
Great idea. My daughter is in charge of a youth group. I am sending her this link. She is always looking for great projects.
Have a “Good Friday”!
Sheila
Sheila Atwoods last blog post..The Finish Line – Only The Good Friday
Have scads I can ship off. It will actually clean out the shelves (more room for books). This is a good thing.
No post for today simply because my cable has been out all day. Yesterday the pot hole that swallowed Tacoma got my tire and wheel housing. All is well, my deductible just got reduced. Life comes in all up and down hills and valleys.
Jamies last blog post..Progress Report
Shelly,
Thank you so much for helping spread the word about Tunes 4 the Troops! It is beacuse of help from people like you and your readers that have allowed me and Tunes to do so well. By the way, we are up to over 497,000 Cd’s sent overseas!!!
God Bless America and our Troops,
Kaylee Marie
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