Adopt A US soldier is staffed entirely by volunteers, just like you.
While each volunteer and supporter of soldiers deserves not only our thanks and appreciation, but the gratitude of the nation, these people keep AAUSS going behind the scenes. Here you can meet and contact volunteers, administrators, and other key personnel of Adopt A US Soldier. While AAUSS numbers are over 700,000+ supporters, these key people have volunteered their time, talents, and efforts to help keep Adopt A US Soldier growing and functioning.
Founder & CEO
When Ann knew that her only son, Paul, was going to be stationed in Iraq, she asked some of her friends if they would help support Paul’s company. The response was great and grew! One of her friends, an air traffic controller at Denver International Airport, asked her boss if they could adopt Paul’s group. They ended up sending almost $3,000 worth of goods. Then a mistake was made…the soldiers, thinking that they were thanking the DIA group, addressed their letters in care of DIA. However, all of the supporters didn’t work at DIA, so the letters, after being opened, were sent to Ann to re-address and send out to the appropriate people. In tears reading them, Steve W., a retired LT COL U.S. Air Force Pilot and friend of Ann’s, called and alerted the media of Ann’s efforts and the Adopt A US Soldier organization was born. AAUSS will celebrate our 8th birthday on Feb. 4th and we now have over 835,000 supporters from 149 countries / territories / independent states with 57 volunteers.
Executive Secretary and Adoption Administrator
My name is Dorean but I go by De. I was born and raised in Boston, MA and have been living in the Green Bay, WI area since 1998 (I am not a cheesehead - the Patriots is my team). My husband is a Vietnam Vet and our son has been medically discharged from the Army (infantry) after 11 1/2 years and 3 deployments (1 to Afghanistan and 2 to Iraq).
Chief Liaison Officer
Wendy grew up in the Great Lakes area of Illinois and has been around the Navy most of her life. Her mother started her young on volunteerism and she continues to spend much of her time on the Navy Base and volunteers when her schedule allows. She has been involved and volunteering for several different organizations recognizing the Troops for many years. While in Hampton Roads she learned of AAUSS and immediately adopted in November 0f 2007. Having family members who have served or are serving she truly understands how much it means to have the support of us at home. Reminding the Troops how much she appreciates them for their service, dedication, and sacrifices remain to be one of her top priorities.
Chief Director of Ambassadors(CDA)
Mona is originally from Maryland, where she grew up outside of the Baltimore/Washington area. The vast military affiliations, abundant patriotic memorials and historical surroundings there have helped to shape and influence her strong dedication to our great country, and to the armed forces which continue to defend its liberties and freedom. Her personal mission within Adopt A US Soldier is to ensure that the American public is aware of how their support affects the lives of our US troops, and to provide them with the most accurate information and resources to participate in these important efforts. Veterans’ organizations have played a critical role in the work that Mona has done for Adopt A US Soldier, and continues to do so. These organizations have been extremely supportive of her mission and have helped her to realize how important this work truly is, as most of these veterans did not have a program such as this at their disposal during their service at war time. Many have stated that it would have made a huge difference in their lives. She has been able to spend many hours with these veterans of past and present wars, hearing their stories, listening to their needs and trying to bring a supreme sense of gratitude to them for all that they have done. The young wounded troops of the current wars have brought a heightened awareness to her as well. During her visits to Walter Reed and to the National Naval Hospital at Bethesda, she was able to see, first hand, some of the extensive price that is being paid to bring justice and liberty to the oppressed, in the name of our country. After witnessing the resilience and bravery of these young heroes, her motivation to advocate for our United States military and its endless sacrifice, is unstoppable and immeasurable. Mona participates in many major events in New York, in order to bring attention and support to Adopt A US Soldier, she provides speaking presentations and informational sessions, and continues to collaborate on numerous projects with veterans groups and military installations in New York, such as the annual Toys for Tots program with the USMC Reserves, and assisting the USMC League with their mission to help wounded Marines with the cost of medical necessities not fully covered by insurance. She is also a huge sponsor for helping educators become informed on how they can help military families during times of deployments or misfortune that may come with military life, especially young children.
VP
Scott Johnson serves as general Vice President for Adopt A US Soldier
Facebook and Twitter Admin
Magdalena joined AAUSS in February 2009 after hearing about it on the Today Show. She lives in Germany and was happy to find a program that lets her show her support for the troops so easily (unfortunately, there are no such programs in Germany). Magdalena loves writing letters and postcards which comes in handy when supporting deployed troops 
. Her passion for writing is certainly also an advantage for her work as a Facebook and Twitter admin., a position she’s had since the summer of 2010. Magdalena tries to spread the word about AAUSS as much as possible and answer your questions and comments. If you are outside of the US, Magdalena is the person to ask about postal service concerns.
Forum Director
Tammy was born in the great state of Texas but grew up in New Mexico. She returned to Texas in 1987 and currently lives in a small town in the central part of the state. She began adopting when her son went into the Army in 2003. Tammy wanted to give back to those who give so much for our Country. In September of 2009, she stumbled upon AAUSS and loved the feeling AAUSS it gave her, like a part of the family! She thinks it is an amazing place and says “Thank you Ann!”
Kathleen first adopted a Soldier through AAUSS in January 2008. Later that year, she was asked to help moderate the forum and has been doing so ever since. She enjoys helping supporters negotiate the sometimes confusing process of supporting soldiers - especially how to get something through the mail system efficiently. Some of our younger supporters have never sent anything via USPS, not to mention to a funky military address with a customs form attached. She also likes to help supporters solve problems, find budget-conscious ways to support troops, and get their creative juices going so that they can personalize their letters/packages.
Forum Moderator
Lisa has been a member of AAUSS since January, 2008. Her brother was a Marine who served in Desert Storm. This was her first chance to see what the support experience was like for our heroes. In 2007, with our heroes being in Iraq and then in Afghanistan, Lisa decided she wanted to put a smile on as many faces as she could. She has been married 23 years, has a daughter in College, two dogs and a guinea Pig. Lisa lives in Canton, MI. Supporting our heroes has been her most rewarding experience.
Adopt A US Soldier
 |
Search AAUSSAdopt A US Soldier7440 S Blackhawk St |
|
7440 S Blackhawk St
Suite 15-106
Englewood, CO 80112
Ann Johnson
Founder & CEO
Wendy LynchChief Liaison Officer
Mona WillsonChief Director of Ambassadors(CDA)
Debbie CharltonGeek Group and Colorado Ambassador
Danica Zinz Hannah CattJunior Ambassador
Susan Fidler