Operation Summer Vacation:  Kids Raise Bucks to Buy Bibles for Troops

American Bible Society Teams up with Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, Jr. for Kids to Support U.S. Military

NEW YORK, July 1, 2009—This summer, in addition to camps and vacations, kids across the nation are signing up for extra chores to raise money to purchase Bibles for troops.

"It is good for Daddy to have a Bible to read in Iraq so he can have a friend there," said 3-year-old Violet, daughter of a U.S. Army chaplain in Iraq. "It will make him happy and help him not to be alone. The Bible tells him that God is with him."

This summer, Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr. magazine is challenging its 88,000 readers, aged 4 to 8 years old, to raise money washing cars, selling lemonade and doing other household chores to purchase Bibles for U.S military personnel. 

"One of our goals at Focus is to instill in children a love for God's Word, and this is a hands-on way of doing so," said Focus President and CEO Jim Daly. "Knowing that biblical principles form the foundation for strong families, we are proud to partner with American Bible Society in bringing hope to those who bravely serve our country."

From June 15 through Aug. 31, kids can log-on to www.truthfortroops.americanbible.org/ and sign-up to raise funds to purchase Bibles for U.S. active duty soldiers and veterans. The child-friendly website also provides project ideas, prayers for the military and allows children to color, print and send a card thanking troops and veterans for their service.

"Since 1817 American Bible Society has been dedicated to providing Bibles to America's fighting forces when, where and how it serves them best." said Chris Thyberg, American Bible Society military liaison. "This partnership with Clubhouse, Jr.  teaches kids the importance of the Bible while serving our dedicated U.S.  Military."

American Bible Society - Military Partnership History:

• Distributed Bibles to the crew on the U.S.S. John Adams in 1817
• Provided Bibles to both the North and South during the Civil War
• Provided Bibles to U.S. soldiers during the Mexican War
• Delivered Bibles to U.S. troops serving in WWI
• Distributed more than 7.4 million pieces of Bible literature during WWII
• Provided military personnel in the Persian Gulf with 300,000 compact Bibles with camouflage covers
• Distributed 500,000 pocket-sized military Bibles and developed 2 million Rapid Deployment Kits (RDK's) for troops in Iraq
• Distributed more than 1.6 million portions of the Bible directly to chaplains and military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003
• Produced 400,000 booklets called "God Understands" for U.S. Chaplains to use as a biblical counseling tool
  
  

About the American Bible Society:
Headquartered in New York City, the mission of the 193-year-old American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life changing message.

About Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr.:
Founded in 1977 by family psychologist Dr.  James C. Dobson, Focus on the Family is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing and defending families worldwide.  Clubhouse Jr. is a magazine and website for kids that reinforces traditional values and encourages families to take on activities like fund-raising for worthy causes. 

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