Can you imagine getting that phone call? The one that no military parent wants. The phone call telling you that your child has died. I cannot say that I know what that feels like, as I have never experienced it as a parent. I never answered the phone to hear that news. This is the news that we all, as parents, dread.
I did feel it as an Aunt. I saw what it did to the parents of Nick Newby, my nephew. A young man who grew up with my children, he was doing exactly what he wanted to do. And gave his life because of it, for it, and because he cared for those of us who live in this country.
A Little of the Story
SPC Nicholas Newby was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 7th, 2011, when his military convoy was attacked with an improvised explosive device. Two soldiers from the same town in Northern Idaho died in this attack, and another was severely injured – a hard time for a small community.
This article is not about this sad news, though the pain never goes away. This event happened almost 13 years ago. This article is about the positivity, the charity, and the love for people that came out of it.
Filling a Need
A year after Nick’s return home, his Mom mentioned to her mom that she wanted to do something in Nick’s name, start a non-profit. When her mom said the name, Newby-ginnings, that was it. The idea was to start a non-profit to help other soldiers with what they needed after returning from their military service.
They started out taking donations. Furniture, clothes, etc. Anything people wanted to give those returning soldiers that they might need. It started in their garage. Then it grew, and grew, and grew some more. Currently, according to their website, they have about 180 regular volunteers from the community who come in to help. They see an average of 140 visitors per day in the shop and enroll at least 10 new veterans per week for services.
What kinds of services does Newby-Ginnings supply? This is what makes them unique. Everything they do is because of donations and fundraising. Because there is no money involved, there is no red tape, no waiting, no eligibility guidelines, and no proof or reason of need required. We have what you need, and we’ll get it to you.
From Post Falls, Idaho, they travel to Montana, Cheney, and everywhere. If they found a need outside of that area, I am sure they would do everything they could to meet it as well.
Helping Out Military Veterans
All of this came out of a community that needed closure. This came from a mom who needed to find a way for it not to be in vain. She did that; Nick Newby is continuing to help out his military “brothers and sisters,” as his mom says, by ensuring local veterans have the things they need, the basics of life, with no questions, given with nothing but love and respect.
How can you help? Please visit the Newby-Ginnings Website for more information about the Organization and what comes next.
If you are someone who has gone through something like this and is looking for a way to move on and an outlet for your grief, please don’t hesitate to ask for help. For this one woman, this was her way to move forward and keep going. This was also a way to keep the memory of her son alive. Find ways to channel your grief, these energies, so that you can stay healthy and positive. And remember to ask for help when you need it. Don’t try to do it on your alone.
Why?
Many of our communities have gone through crisis and many more will go through crisis in the future. While I do not want to see this happen, I do love to see communities pull together to help those in need and find ways to stop the crisis.
This is the second article I have written to highlight the non-profits that work so hard to improve things and to bring attention to ways we can all help. Whether it means helping out foundations already in existence or starting one in order to fill a need.
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