Event will have Taylor Audio Dancin DJ Cory, all kinds of entertainment, card making and banner making for our soldiers, packaging of donated items by 10 companies, Christmas cards made by 20 school districts,  and hand made stockings by volunteers. Food, fun activities, watching videos of past Utah Military units that received care packages and their letters of appreciation.  Volunteers needed for planning, event day and filling out shipping forms.  Goal to raise remainder of $3,390 for shipping costs as well as more donated items, home made Christmas Stockings, special Christmas decorations, etc.

The Balloon Man

Featuring Dan Truman of "Diamond Rio," Angela Winston, Allison Janisse, Miss Utah Jill Stevens , Margo Watson, The Moleni Brothers, Drew Reese, Jaden Bliss, Lanternlane, our wonderful Christian, LDS and Gospel artists and  the ONe Voice Children's Choir.

CDs of Angela Winston's Christmas, Margo Watson and Allison Janisse are for sale with proceeds going to the shipping of packages to our soldiers.

Love Will Prevail - by Angela Winston MP3 - 3.4 MB From the album - United We Stand www.heartrisemusic .com/Downloads/ index.html

Welcome HOme Troops Celebration

Note we just got the footage of this great event and concert that so many like Pleasantree, Lanternlane, Jaden Bliss, Angela Winston and the Osmond 2nd Generation came to thank our troops that returned safely home from Iraq.  We will be uploading it soon. 07/07/09 We need a volunteer editor to help us.

See more pictures of the event

Come watch some of the performances from the Tribute Concert (under Shows): 

www.gifamilytv.com

A Big Thank you from Letters to Soldiers Tribute Concert and Welcome Home Celebration and all Military FAmilies that participated goes to The Deseret NEws and KUTV2, KBZN, FM100, as well as all our friends who got the word out for us !!

 Thank you so much for covering our event so well and helping us get the word out to ship 22 pallets of donated items before they expire. This was a huge endeavor getting so many people to volunteer their time, services and products. What amazing heartfelt performances by the Osmond 2^nd Generation, Angela Winston, Pleasant Tree, LanternLane, and Jaden Bliss who just moved everyone that heard these amazing live patriotic songs. We wish to thank  all the wonderful Vendors who donated over $100,000 worth of services like Taylor Audio with stage, PA System, Sound Board and Engineering, Davis Audio Visual who lent the 42” Plasma Screen and helped us show our military families’ videos and footage from Iraq, Eurest Dining thanks to Oz and Sandy who got Pepsi to donate drinks, Food suppliers to donate hot dogs, cheeseburgers and more and volunteered to feed everyone to raise money for Letterstosoldiers.org to ship letters, and all donated items from Tahitian Noni and Neways Products.  And Cricket Communications who teamed up with our Helloworld.com/saveadogandkids to offer their new Cell Phone highspeed wireless card internet service so military families were able to do live video emails to their family members serving in Iraq.  And Scoopology’s Chase and Denise offered free ice cream cones all day long.  Life Long Memories Films team Ken and Linda Sorenson that have covered all Letters To Soldiers fundraising events and filmed this entire event to make our “Welcome Home Tribute Concert” DVD to raise the rest of the funds to ship Letters to Soldiers letters, cards and donations to our Troops from Utah serving in Iraq. Thank you Linda and Ken for donating so much of your professional services and time for our troops.  And KBZN who advertised the event, interviewed us with Lanternlane and MC’d the performances, as well as gave prizes at their booth.  Rick Lindsey you are a gem.  And we wish to thank all the wonderful volunteers from our 116^th National Guard Family Readiness Group, especially a dear little girl that raised over $35 at the Balloon popping game.  We wish to thank the wonderful friends from Hill Air Force Base for coming and managing the Silent auction and the Letters to Soldiers Booth along with the wonderful Thornell family who’s daughter serves in our Utah Army and Kelly for managing the Video Emailing with Helloworld. And we will all never forget the Army Reserve 96^th Fort Douglas Unit with LTe. Col. Felsch, and Col. Garcia and all their wonderful men who tirelessly helped set up the banners, stage, booths, and manned the Pepsi booth, and  grilled burgers all day for 11 hours.  You guys are our heroes!!! Thank you our Friends from The Utah Flash and Flash Fox for coming to giveway one family season ticket pass, two basketball camp certificates and 1 Bday party with Flash Fox for your kids.  We were so honored to give gifts to two Army Reserve Wives who’s husbands are serving as officers with other states’ units in Iraq right now, Maria Howard and Pam Banta, and give them  getaways to go on in July when their husbands come home, and also acknowledge the wonderful National Guard 116^th unit Family Readiness Group leader Jennie Taylor and hard working mother for a soldier Becky Norton both with soldiers who volunteered to do an extra 12 months in Iraq.  And we don’t want to forget anyone else because so many wonderful people came to volunteer for this event, worked tirelessly to get the word out like our friend Ammon, Rebecca Moore our photographer, Rebecca Cressman of FM100 that invited Letters to Soldiers on the air Friday morning to talk about the event, Laura Jones on KPCW who invites Letters to Soldiers to come and read letters from Americans from all over the US and also invited one of our performers Lanternlane to come and play the “Welcome Home Soldier” collaborative song of 4 groups that she wrote.  Thank you our friend Angie Larsen for mentioning our amazing performers for the Tribute Concert on Good Things Utah, on ABC4. Thank you Sam and Mitch at FedEx Kinkos for our beautiful Banners and Flyers.  And Thank you Eagle 101.5 for your support,  Shotgun at KBULL radio, Steve and Angie at KSL, Justin and  Andy at ABC4, our friends at Mayor Becker’s office, the fellow military support organizations we invited to help collect letters like  Elaine with Operation Give, Elaine with Troop Cards, Ray with Fisher House, Feed Uncle Sam, our Sweet Veterans of the VFW,  and so many other friends like Maria Howard, Michelle Thornell, and others I apologize if I left out anyone that really were there to help me coordinate this event and make it so wonderful.  What a family of generous and loving people you all have been. Thank you all,

 Denise De Vynck

www.letterstosoldiers.org  

Watch this summer for the Welcome Home Tribute Concert DVD on our site

And please write us at info@letterstosoldiers.org if you wish to participate in sending our troops all the support we can from home. 

Come read the Deseret News Article

From our Friends:

Rick at KBZN:  "Denise,

From Angela Winston:   "Hey Ms. Denise thank you so much for the photos, they are cherished memories.  Thank you so much for inviting me to take part in such  a wonderful event.  It was a very special day.  Please spread the word that I will be having a Christmas Concert at the Rose Wagner theater downtown SLC, UT on Dec 15th/7p.m.  My special guest will be the Osmond New Generation."

"Hello Denise, I am so looking forward to this event.  I know it will bless many people.  Looking forward
to meeting you.
 Blessings, Angela Winston" " 
 
Angela Winston, a native of Texas, has resided in SLC, UT with her husband (Retired Army), and her 2 (young adult children).
Some of her highlights during her music career are:  Singing her first single for George W. Bush Election Night in Austin, TX, for an audience
of 35,000 people.  During the Olympics, she opened at the Olympics Medals Plaza for Brooks and Dunn, Train, Lifehouse and Dave Matthews.
Locally, she has shared stages with Thurl Bailey and David Archuleta. Angela has also sung at a 9-11 Memorial Event for Governor Leavitt and Fundraiser for Senator Hatch. 
Angela enjoys singing all styles of music, but her first love is singing Gospel Music, Inspirational/Motivational and Patriotic music.  She has sung in many
Motivational Conventions for Companies such as USANA, NUSKIN, NATURE'S SUNSHINE , and more. She sang in a BYU production and has sung at many firesides.
 
  Come listen to the sneak peak of "Welcome Home Soldier" Song Written by Lantern Lane and performed by 4 groups here!   Also watch ABC4 "Family Welcome Home Troops" TV spot Thank you Andy at ABC4 newsdesk for interviewing the bands and giving the public a peak at the "Welcome HOme Soldier" collaborative song Sat. June 7th.  Watch at 5pm 

"The Osmonds - Second Generation"came up for a special surprise tribute!

The Osmonds 2nd Generation are all brothers and sons of 70’s pop star, Alan Osmond. They got their start in show business by singing on the Donny & Marie show and by mimicking their father and uncles.  After appearing on a local talent showcase in Salt Lake City, UT, People Magazine wrote an article about this new generation of singing Osmonds.  Bob Hope read the article and gave the boys their first National television appearance on his Christmas show in 1986. They have appeared on the front covers of teen magazines everywhere.  They signed with both Curb Records and Epic/Sony in Europe and have had three songs in the top 40 in the U.K.  They have also appeared on MTV, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, CBS This Morning, Entertainment Tonight, CNN and other major shows and networks. They have performed to sold-out stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

For more information, go to: www.osmond.com

Thanks to all for bidding at our Silent Auction to raise shipping costs to ship 120,000 Tahitian Noni Soft Chews and Neways products to our Troops serving in Iraq  for : Tracy Lawrence Tickets,  tickets to LAdy Antebellem and Frank Caliendo at Ogden AMpitheatre, Tickets to Salt Lake Bees, $25 Certificates to Shane Co., 4 Free Admission Tickets to Wiseguys, $50 Gift Certificate to High Maintenance Salon, $25 Certificate to Madeline's Steakhouse & Grill, Getaways, Cruises,  Las Vegas overnight trip, and 50% off Disneyland Trips and more.  Just come by the Letters to Soldiers Booth and fill out your name, address, phone number and your bid amount and you will be contacted if you are a winner.  All proceeds go to shipping letters, cards and packages to our Troops overseas.

                       **Free Phone Calling for military families to servicemembrs overseas thanks to 10 PHONES WERE AVAILABLE FOR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES TO CALL OVERSEAS ON CRICKET'S CARD, AND THEY HAVE COUPONS FOR MILITARY TO GET 10% OFF THEIR CALLING PLANS!!!  THANK YOU CRICKET!!!! Watch for their June 19th Unveiling of the Fastest, Cheapest and best Wireless Card.

  **Free Video Emailing thanks to                            **Colonial Flag and WalMart Biker Rally and Huge Food Tent Thank you for lending us the 15 foot flag for our stage.

                           **Tribute Concert of Welcome Home Songs with Special Honorary Tribute to Special Military Families from All Military Branches

                            **

Thank you Rick  for MCing our Special Tribute Concert and KBZN crew as  our official Radio Sponsors!!

Thanks for Prizes from Wrangler, Smith & Wesson from Gunnies Western Wear, KBZN  for T-shirts, hats and CDs, THe Eagle for Free kids meals, dinner certificates, tickets, Spa Package and other fun prizes given away at the Balloon Popping Letters to Soldiers table.

                             ** Thank you Chase for Free Scoopology Ice Cream Cones

                             ** Thank you sponsors for the special gift packages for honored military families during Tribute Concert  given out Thanks to Neways, NuSkin, Shane Co, Anniversary Inn, Boulder Mountain Lodge, Wise Guys Comedy Club, Shane Co., Bees Baseball, and more.

An Extra Special Thank YOu to OZ and Sandy of Eurest Dining SErvices on Capital Hill for not only getting all the food and Pepsi trailer for this event but for ensuring we had our i's dotted and t's crossed. We love you!!! 

And Thank you Dan from the Health Dept of Utah for hand delivering our Mass Event Permit.

Thank you Randi at Diamond Rental for our generator and tent.

Is donating 120,000 (11 pallets) of Noni Nutrition Chews for our Troops serving in Iraq. 

Come down to Tahitian Noni Theatre for Free Family Movie Night all summer every Monday night!

Thank you MIchael for letting us use Plasma Screen and DVD player to show military videos by the stage during the concert!

 Thank you for Giving us Gift Baskets for Honorary Military Families and offering all the Products from your warehouse to ship to our Troops.  Thank you for donating Natural Personal Care products to ship to our Troops serving in Iraq. They donated 750 of them for Christmas Packages to our Troops.

Thank you  UTAH FLASH BASKETBALL TEAM AND Flash FOX FOR

 COMING AND  GIVING AWAY for military personnel and families with ID:

enter to win:  The winners will be chosen out of the box of all the entries

Winner 1 -  1 Family Pack of Season Tickets to the Utah Flash (1 season ticket per family member)

Winner 2 -  1 Free entry to the Utah Flash Summer Basketball Camp – June 16-20 (Next Week)

Winner 3 -  1 Free entry to the Utah Flash Summer Basketball Camp – June 16-20 (Next Week)

Winner 4 -   Free Fox appearance at your Child’s birthday Party

Come watch Jacob Luttrell sing "Signed, Cealed, Delivered" with Clay Aiken from American Idle:  "Thanks Jacob" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vMRL3tKpDA

Thanks to all of our Sponsors:  WAnt Sponsorship booths, banners and advertising?   Please contact Denise  info@letterstosoldiers.org

Letters To Soldiers Plans Welcome Home Parties for Military Families:

 Thanks to our wonderful fellow wives, fiancees, mothers and daughters of our Troops serving volunteering to make this event special.  Here is one amazing wife of Ntl. Guard:

Valentine's Day Breakfast for deployed National Guardsmen's wives Feb. 14th with SLC Mayor BEcker was amazing.  Thank you Hotel Monaco, Bambara Restaurant and Mayor Becker of SLC.   We videotaped the wives' Valentines wishes to make a video blog for their husbands serving in Iraq.   (Current Serving in Iraq/Afghanistan from Ntl. Guard: 450)Come see videos of the event below!!  Thanks to KSL5, KUTV2, ABC4, Fox13, SL Tribune, TeleMundo, and Deseret News for covering the event. Video EMailing for the National Guard Wives, mothers and Mayor to make Valentine's Wishes. Go see  video blogs of the event and pictures.  Thank you Linda of LifelongMemoriesFilms.com for filming the event as you have filmed all of our events in best HD quality:  

 Jennie  from Feed Uncle Sam honored with her husband on leave LTe.  T..

 Moms and Wives loved the roses, Bambara Restaurant and Hotel Monaco breakfast, and making Video Emails to their loved ones in Iraq.

 Mayor BEcker poses for pics with wives

 Letters to Soldiers and Feed Uncle Sam get emotional.

Some of the wives, moms we will be thanking: "Hello my name is Candida Morris, I would like to attend along with my mother Carmen. Both my Husband and my Dad are currently deployed. 

"a couple by the name of Andrew & Michele H. will be there, with their son Andrew who is home on leave  since Andrew is so young, with little brothers and sisters at home, and he volunteered for this deployment."

FM 100 Health and Wellness Fair:  Come see our Valentine's Booth  with Military families making Video Email wishes to service members and kids making cards and wishes: under Shows "FM100 Nutrition Fair" at www.YourDigitalLife.TV  Thank yous to:  Come see the FM100 Health and Wellness Expo Live Streaming Broadcast of kids and military families wishing Happy Valentines to our Troops under Shows at www.YourDigitalLife.tv (Nutrition Fair).  And helped us send out 500 Hand Made Beautiful Valentine’s Cards, 10 Packages of Goodies and more to our Troops Feb. 1st .(Come see our pictures by clicking here)  and Click here to listen to Sam Payne's Tribute song to our Troops.

Thanks helloworld.com for letting Military Families and Kids Stream LIve and do Video Emails: