Supporting the women Who are supporting the troops Who are supporting us here at home

Home

About Us

News

Request a Gift Box

Contribute

Mail Call

Bios and Contact

In Memoriam

Home

Troops Click Here

If you are a deployed service member requesting a Gift Box to be sent home, click here. We are currently accepting requests for Mother's Day 2012.
Simple

Upcoming Events

Many thanks to

Pilates Plus

for the Pre-Turkey stretch! And thanks to everyone that came, bringing gifts and donations!

You made a difference!!!

(click to watch)

Support FCH

Full Circle Home relies on individual donations to help show military wives and mothers across the country that they are supported. Consider a tax-deductible donation to Full Circle Home today.

About Us

Who We Are
FCH in the Press
Media Gallery

Who We Are

Full Circle Home is an American non-profit organization whose goal is to support the special women of our Armed Service members during their separation from loved ones deployed overseas. Through donations and corporate partnerships, Full Circle Home arranges for gift boxes to be sent on behalf of service members to the home front. These boxes, filled with a variety of pampering products, and most importantly, a note from their deployed loved one, help to comfort and support military wives and mothers during heart-wrenching separation. Working primarily around the winter holiday season and Mothers' Day, Full Circle Home accepts requests from service members, solicits contents for the packages, wraps them, and ships them off to the surprised and delighted women of our service members. Started in 2007 by Vickie Durfee, the mother of a marine, Full Circle Home has organized volunteers to send thousands of gift boxes to women across the United States and even to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

FCH in the Press

Full Circle Home on Better TV

In the Press

Here is a collection of Full Circle Home covered in both local and national media. Click on the icons below for links. We hope to keep adding to this page, so keep checking back to see new stories!

Click on to view

YNN 2008

WHEC 2010

YNN 2010

WROC 2009

Media Gallery

MVI 4329

Full Circle Home: Saying Thanks to our deployed servicemen and the Women at home
MVI 4329

Send us your photos. In addition to photos of our work, we love to see greetings from our deployed troops as well as from those on the home front!

Cavalry Plaque.jpg
3ID.jpg
3ID Flag.jpg
medium_image 6.jpg
4.jpg
11.jpg
troops.jpg
229977_4913520559_504615559_293496_4705_n.jpg
IMG_4420.JPG
img004.jpg
Gil deployment 078.jpg
Spc Cindy Morrell.jpg
IMG_1693.JPG

News

Latest News

December 5, 2011Full Circle Home is in full swing wrapping, packing and fundraising! We've wrapped with Seneca Falls Volunteer Firefighters, brownies, St. John Fisher College Students With A Vision (SWAV), Enterprise Rental, a Craft Group, Mendon highschool basketball team, Blue Star Mothers, Gather and Give Volunteer Group, VFW Post 8495 and friends. Actually, ALL are friends!To wrap the thousands of gifts that need to be prepared, we take the "shred on the road!" We pack the gift, boxes, ribbon, shred and more into the truck and bring it to an individuals home or place of business and set up an assembly line. The host of the Wrap invites his/her friends, family and coworkers to help and share in the fun and wonderful feelings of reaching out to others. At the Wrapping Parties, people have a chance to not only lend a hand preparing the gifts, but, if they would like, to donate an item or two off of our Wish List. Some groups, like Gather and Give, make that their purpose - to bring an item off of the list and to wrap that specific item.JOIN US!Volleyball and Corn Hole Tournament Saturday November 5, 2011 Hot Shots.Pittsford Pilates Pre-Turkey StretchThursday November 24 Thanksgiving Day!3300 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY (second floor)Work off a few calories before dinner! Yoga, Pilates, Spinning - choose your exercise. Bring an item or more from our Wish List and share your thanksgiving and gratitude.

Thanks to the organization of Hot Shots Volleyball, the wonderful donations for our auctions and the enthusiastic players, we were able to raise over $1,200!

Request a Gift Box

Are you a deployed U.S. service member, serving away from the special woman in your life? Contact us to request a holiday package sent on your behalf. Because of budget restraints, we can only honor one request per service member, but rest assured that all will be done to support the woman supporting you! You will be contacted for the delivery details for your box of gifts.Thank you for your service.

At this time we are taking requests for Mother's Day

Should you have any troubles registering, please email us directly at fchgifts1_gmail.com

Contribute

Donate
About
Volunteer
Our Partners

Donate

Separation from loved ones is especially stressful to both deployed service members and those on the homefront. During these times, Full Circle Home supports deployed U.S. military personnel around the world by arranging for them to show their appreciation to those they rely on most. This is accomplished by connecting sponsors who recognize the particular value of this unique program with individual deployed military personnel.An individual, business, or organization sponsors a service member's holiday gift his/her hero at home. A package of beautifully wrapped gifts is carefully prepared by volunteers and is sent to a very special woman, usually the wife or mother of deployed personnel. Also included is a handwritten love note, and a note of appreciation from the sponsor.

Donate

Full Circle Home is a registered 501(c)(3)

About

Wish List We need your help!

Items NeededCushy Spa SocksFelt by the yard - red & greenShipping Tape1 1/2 - 2" wired holiday ribbonShipping labels - 6 per pageWhite card stock - 65 lb. weightWhite Crinkle ShredHP Ink 74XL and 75XInvitation size envelopes
Connections NeededShipping companyShipping box companyPrinting Company

Volunteer

A little time and creativity can go a long way. If you would like to volunteer at a Full Circle Home event, contact us. Help is especially needed around Christmas and the holidays with wrapping and packing, and getting them to the post office. If you are in the Rochester, New York area, consider hosting your own wrap party. Invite your friends and co-workers to help get gifts off to the women supporting our troops. You can also host a fundraiser. If you have an idea for an event, fundraiser, or a way you would like to be involved, please contact us.We've had helping hands from:Fairport VFW Post 8495Enterprise RentalSeneca Falls Volunteer Fire Department and FamiliesMaura McGrath and her group Gather and GiveSt. John Fisher College, Students With A VisionBrownie TroopsWe couldn't do it without you!!!They have wrapped, tagged, toted and shared! They have donated ribbon and candy, tissues, and sewn the tissue holders... They are helping to organize shipping and are ready to jump in where necessary!

Our Partners

MAFIA MEETING Apparel is an exclusive clothing line created in Upstate, NY that represents their love for sports, music, fashion, and everything Italian.

Mafia Meeting Apparel will generously donate a portion of every sale to Full Circle Home. Thank you!!!

Seneca Falls Volunteer Fire Department

Friends in NYC

Enterprise Truck Rental

Mail Call

Letters from the Women
Letters from the Troops
From Vickie

Letters from the Women

From the Women

There are no words for how I felt. I was so excited, happy I cried. My daughter also helped with opening each box. We took turns. She was also excited. It was great to know I was not alone and that there are people like YOU who make people (moms) like me happy at Christmas time. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND KEEP YOUR SON SAFE! I have a son and daughter-in-law over there, so this Christmas was a lot harder than last. Once again, thanks for making my Christmas a littler brighter!! I would love to help in any way you need help. Please write me or call me and let me know what I can do. Thanks again, Taunya_______________________________________After the surprise wore off, then the tears flowed. This is the second year Patrick has been in Iraq during Christmas. It seemed harder this year than last year. I actually waited to open everything Christmas day, because I didnt get the box until the 20th. By opening everything on Christmas, it seemed that a part of him was with us and it was a little easier to celebrate the day. It really meant a lot to me that he would sign up for me to receive these gifts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do. Patsy_______________________________________I was over joyed I miss my son a lot and just getting a gift box with the words, with love from Iraq It made my Christmas, much more than words can explain. I told everyone about the gift and how it made me feel. (I think my family was getting tired of hearing about it! lol ) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Amorita _______________________________________It was a VERY emotional experience: awe, shock, surprise, wonder, happiness, thankfulness, love, tearfulness, I was overwhelmed at first, thinking our wonderful brave, young son was thinking of me. I almost felt like he himself had come home to give me a Christmas hug. Thank you from my heart to yours!_______________________________________What a surprise! This past few months that Nick has been away have been really hard. I moved away from my family and friends to be with Nick, and shortly after he was deployed. So Christmas was especially hard this year, being away from everyone that I love. Then I received this gift in the mail and I cant even describe the excitement! Its so good to know that I am appreciated too! Thank You!_______________________________________My husband and I are expecting our first child in a couple of weeks and this, our first deployment, has been a little tough for me. I know that he felt bad that he would not be able to send anything for the holiday, and was so happy when I told him about the wonderful gift that was sent with his name. I cant tell you how much it meant for both of us and how wonderful it was to open gifts under the tree from him. What girl doesnt like Mary Kay? My husband wouldn't have been able to get a better gift. Thank you. Rachel_______________________________________It made me cry. I dont get to talk to my husband while he is over there so I didnt expect anything. To know that he was able to do this means a lot to both of us. Please contact me about becoming a sponsor. Thank you so much! Sara_______________________________________I was very excited when I get my package. I was anxious to open it, but my boyfriend told me I had to wait until Christmas. He called me when it was 12:01 over there to wish me a Merry Christmas and so he could be on the phone with me when I opened it! Sara_______________________________________It was the best present I got for Christmas. It was nice knowing that someone appreciated what I do and understood that its not easy having someone not around for the holidaysMeghan_______________________________________I was very surprised. I teared up at the thought of how much some people cared. It made me feel very special and appreciated. On a lighter not... I thought to myself I feel like a small child on Christmas It was exiting and very very much appreciated. I thank you from the bottom of my heart as well as every sponsor out there helping out. What you do is wonderful and amazing. Guretta_______________________________________It was wonderful and moving. I almost cried. Made my day and was the beginning of a much happier Christmas than I expected. Having 12 gifts was great as it just kept getting better and better. The packaging was quite beautiful and made it even nicer. Many thanks for this wonderful program.Patricia_______________________________________I received my box 2 days before Christmas - I put it under my tree and Christmas morning I opened the box and was amazed at all the packages. When I began to open them I expected samples and was shocked to see the actual size products. I have used Mary Kay for 20 years but moved and lost my consultant. Most of the items were things I have used in the past I was overwhelmed and taken back by the generosity and effort that was put into this. My son, Josh, left for Iraq right after Thanksgiving and this Christmas was very difficult. This was so appreciated. That you so much, P.S. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. You are WONDERFUL!. Kathy_______________________________________Opening up my 12 Days of Christmas box was so exhilarating! As soon as I saw the box I dropped everything immediately because it said Love from Iraq and that was very exciting! So I opened it up and I couldnt believe my eyes! It was 12 beautifully wrapped gifts and I was so overwhelmed with happiness and wonder! Each and every gift was more special than the last and it make me feel very special to receive something like that. It was the most thoughtful gift ever! Thank you so much! Semper Fi! Chelsea_______________________________________With my husband being gone and it just being my daughter and I at the time, now theres a new baby, it was nice to have gifts that were just for me. Each box was wrapped to elegantly, I almost didnt want to open them. It was exciting to see what would be in the next box. My daughter enjoyed the candy that was in each box. The thought that was great! Thank you! Corinna_______________________________________It was pretty exciting and heart warming to open. All the individual packages where very pretty. My son called to see if I received the package, he was pretty excited to be able to have something to send home. It was a wonderful surprise as well as an awesome idea. Good luck to you and yours. Thank you!!_______________________________________When I received the box I was so surprised, Love from Iraq!! I couldnt believe it. Upon opening it and reading the enclosed cards, I began to cry. Not sad tears, happy ones. Was this real I thought, am I actually remembered? Its easy to focus so much on my 3 children, and making sure that their needs are being met and then making sure my husbands taken care of, with letters, photos and packages of his own, It felt so great to know I MATTERED TOO! With each gift it was clear that I need to take care of me too, and your gifts will help me do just that. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart! I will never forget all of your kindness. Semper Fi, Jeni, proud Marine Wife_______________________________________I felt so great to realize that even as far apart as we are ( and our 2nd Christmas apart) that he still could have an avenue to reach to me for Christmas. It may be that it meant more to him because he gets so upset that theres nothing he can get and send to me and I know he felt better this time knowing he was able to do something. Thank you so much :o) Jordan _______________________________________It was a wonderful surprise and I thought it was great that my husband was able to do this through you since he wouldnt be able to send me a present otherwise. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Anita_______________________________________It felt good. It was a wonderful surprise gift from my son. It had his own comments on the card. It also make me feel good to know sponsors out there sponsor and support our kids. It makes the pride of being a Marine Mom come into my thoughts once again. God Bless All of the sponsors and Thank You!! Dorthy_______________________________________It was so amazing... I cried! Everything about this was a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much for making my Christmas a little bit better. I wasnt even looking forward to Christmas, until I got this package. I miss him and love him so much, it was so nice to be reminded that he want to be here as bad as I want him to be... well, almost HAHA! cause thats A LOT! Thank you! Ashley_______________________________________My husband and I met before he joined the Navy and maintained a long distance relationship while he trained in San Diego and Great Lakes. We finally wed this past May and I was all packed and ready to move to the Great Lakes when he received orders in July to deploy with in October. My heart was broken as I realized we would miss our first Christmas together as a newly wed a couple. I cannot express with words how wonderful it was to receive your package. i waited until Christmas day to open each gift as it made me feel as though he remembered and was part of Christmas day. Each gift was greatly appreciated. I think it is fantastic that there are giving and thoughtful individuals out there who not only support our troops, but who also support the loved ones left behind. Heather_______________________________________The box was a complete surprise! I actually waited to open any of it, but it was a wonderful gift and surprise. The packaging was adorable and just made me think about him that much more. It really meant a lot to know that although he couldnt be at home, that others cared enough to make the holidays special for the families at home but also for all the military men and women that wanted to do something special for their loved ones! Thanks again!! Alyssa_______________________________________It was amazing! Everything was so beautifully wrapped, and I was completely clueless as to why I had gotten the package, so it was an incredibly awesome surprise! It was very exciting to unwrap everything. I wouldnt change anything! Thank you so much for starting this program. It really did make Christmas more special even though Nate was unable to be here. Thank you again! Jamie_______________________________________It was so sweet knowing that even though he couldnt spend Christmas Day with me, he still wanted me to feel special. Every time I use a product from the package, it just reminds me of my husbands love (and my love for him! :o) Thank you so much! Melissa_______________________________________I had no idea that it was coming. And on Christmas day it was at my mothers I cried and was amazed at the quality of the gifts. I was truly appreciative of the time and money spent. It helped put a smile on my face on a really hard day for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cassandra_______________________________________I wait for the mail everyday as it is and when I saw there was a package I got even more excited! I wasnt expecting a Christmas from Matt at all and when I saw Love from Iraq I was excited to the point that I cant even put it in words. The individual gifts inside were beautiful. The thought crossed my mind for a split second to open them on day at a time, but I couldnt resist! The actual gifts were wonderful. But the thought behind them was the best part of receiving the package. THANK YOU so much for everything. Heather_______________________________________It was a wonderful surprise and I did cry a good bit, because I miss my son, Nathan, so much, but I am so proud of him. It made me feel very special to think he wanted me to have this special gift from him. It made Christmas even more bearable since he is in Iraq and not home with us. And I thank God! for women like you Youll never know how much this gift touched my heart. Zoe_______________________________________This was our 2nd Christmas apart. He still hasnt had a chance to wake up and see the look on our sons face when he sees his gifts. With us expecting another baby this year I was pretty upset. I felt special and remembered as I opened the gifts. Thank you for making me smile. Amanda_______________________________________Of course, I cried when I opened the box and saw the card addressed to Mom It was wonderful to open the presents, but the best part is when I get dressed in the morning (I am a school teacher) I have reminders of my son. This actually goes against my usual deployment mode of trying NOT to think about my son, but I am finding it very comforting. Theres a totally mom thought... when you hold your baby and smell their hair, it becomes a part of you. Somehow, the fragrance is almost like that. (Do I sound like a TOTALLY nuts mom?) THANK YOU again, so much. Best wishes for the new year!Ann Marie_______________________________________I was so excited to receive the gift. I had not heard from my son in several weeks and it made me feel like he was closer to me and thinking about me. Additionally, I received the package (incidentally) on my birthday so it made it all the more special! Thank you for what you do and your support to our troops. Thank you to your son for his service!_______________________________________To be honest I was surprised to get a box in the mail. I was really excited because my husband and I decided that I & him wouldnt buy anything for Christmas but only for our daughter due to being in debt & trying to pay it off. So receiving the box made me feel really good knowing that my husband had tried hard for me to get a gift. It was wrapped so nicely that I was like trying to open it so carefully. The fragrance smells so nice and everything is great. Im very pleased and thankful to those individuals who made it possible for me and other wives to receive such nice gifts. Its hard not having that special someone be gone during the holidays and anniversaries! So from the bottom of heart I just want to say Thank you! for being so thoughtful and for the wonderful gifts I received today._______________________________________It was an unexpected but wonderful surprise! Thank you!_______________________________________I was very happy because I received a card from my son and I even received Mary Kay products, which made me happy, too. Thank you to all that you care about me and my serviceman. Im Happy!_______________________________________It made me so happy to get it. And let me know my husband was thinking of me._______________________________________I smiled opening each gift...even though I knew it wasnt put together by him or even signed by him, I know he is thinking of me. The little chocolates were a cute touch. Its hard always giving sometimes, but even harder for our troops & this was a really nice gesture to let us know that not only are our husbands thinking of us, but that the people around us at home also appreciate both our troops and their wives. :o)_______________________________________It was wonderful! I loved it! It made me feel so good, when my serviceman called that night I told him he was the best sweetest husband in the world! You are a wonderful person, Vickie, and so are the many others who help you! Thank you!! ______________________________________Dear Full Circle Home, My name is Alexandria and I wanted to thank all of you wonderful people personally for helping my husband (USMC) send me all of these lovely gifts! (and personal card). Other than hearing his voice this magical season, that package made my Christmas! I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas! Best Wishes, Alexandria P.S. You people are Angels!______________________________________OH MY...my initial reaction was Oh wow, cool I got something in the mail that ISNT a bill, but when I opened it...holy cow...did the tears start! THEN when I opened the card and saw my husbands hand writing saying a simple I love you and I miss you. I literally gasped and cried more!! With todays technology and the fact that we get to talk to our soldiers online, it is hard to describe just how awesome it is to receive something in the mail with their actual writing on it. Weird to know but that along with the thought and meaning behind the gift...well I am getting emotional all over again just thinking of how wonderful of a gift it is!! I would like to take a minute to THANK YOU (and your son & his fiance) for starting this program!! As an army wife with 2 kids, I tend to forget about myself and focus on our kids and my husband. There are many times that I feel like no one (except my husband of course) realizes the sacrifices I make as a military wife... I found myself dreading the holidays because of my husband being gone...forced myself to put on a happy face for their sake so they would have a wonderful Christmas. I can not express in words just how much Full Circle Home program made that easier! During our Christmas Eve gathering, I had the gifts sitting out on my counter along with all the goodies I was serving. Silly as it sounds, that along with the card became the center piece for the evening. I was able to share my joy of receiving with everyone that was here that night. So in a...about way, my husband was able to be here with us! So thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Melissa, Ft. Drum

Letters from the Troops

From the Troops

Dear Sir or Madam, I am an active duty Marine currently stationed in Al Asad, Iraq. I heard about what you do for deployed Marines and I was hoping to take advantage of your offer. But first, I would like to thank you for all of your volunteer help. We really appreciate all that you do. Our job and lifestyle isnt the easiest in the world but you take time from you day to day to do what you can to help us. Thank You. I am married with one daughter. My wife, is 22 years old and my daughter, is about 11 weeks old. She was born just before I left for Iraq. I was lucky enough to have been able to see her birth before I deployed. A lot of Marines are not so lucky. Just wanted to give you a little bio of the family. Once again, thank you so much for all that you do._______________________________________Thank you so much for this wonderful service. I tell everyone that will listen that our loved ones have the hardest job of all. To carry on life as normal even though nothing is normal at all. There really is no support structure set for our loved ones. No Chaplain, sergeant or battle buddy assigned to look after you. In the case of my fiance, there is not one else to help her. I was it and I am taken away from her. Her support to me, her love and pride in my service to our great country make it possible for me to do my job. They call us heores for the job that we do, for putting on the uniform and answering the call. I want to let you know the she is my hero and I am so very proud of her and the love we share. Once again, that you so very much for this service, this means more to me than anything you could ever send me. I am glad that some one can send a gift to my hero._______________________________________I just want to thank you and everyone that is apart of your program. The best thing about being here is knowing the people back home are behind us. It really is because of people like you that makes it easy for us. Thank you for everything USMC_______________________________________Good Evening Maam,Your information was passed to me through a longtime friend. As you probably already know it is hard to get things back to your spouse from Iraq . Even little things just to let them know that you are thinking of them, becomes an arduous task. For that, I wanted you to know how much your compassion for us over here is appreciated. I have been in the Marines for 14 years now and have put my wife through the ups and downs of the military life. Matter of fact, two weeks before we were scheduled to leave, she gave birth to our identical twin girls in Savannah , Georgia . Both of them had extreme heart problems and had to be transported to Charleston , South Carolina for heart surgery. I stayed back to make sure my wife and children were stable and then two weeks later; I made sure I was sent to Iraq to make sure everyone elses children in my care would be okay. It was hard on the wife considering the circumstances, but she understands other people count on me to keep their children safe also Whatever you can arrange for my wife I want you to know I am extremely thankful, and it is very rare to run across such a caring individual as yourself. Once again maam, Thank You from the bottom of my heart_______________________________________Hello, I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for what you do. Im currently stationed in Iraq. I have a beautiful wife of 15 years and a 9 year old son. I would really appreciate if there was something you could send for me. Due to the operational tempo, it is hard for me to send much to the family. One of my Marines told me about your program and I wanted to email you and say thanks for your efforts. Thanks._______________________________________First off, I want to thank you for sending me the Full Circle Home package [of fliers to hand out] :) Your support for the Marines and their wives, girlfriends and loved ones means a lot to us. I want you to know that we all thank you for what you're doing, I wish you could see the smiles I received when I explained your program to them and that they'd still be able to send something to their loved ones. :) It really means a lot :) Take care of yourself._______________________________________I am a Marine currently deployed to the Anbar Province of Iraq. My wife and I have been married for four years and this is our second Iraq deployment. Together, we have a nine month old daughter, Ares. I'll be missing all the major holidays and both of their birthdays this year. Thank you for your time and consideration. I think what you're doing for service members and their families is truly wonderful. Bless your heart and thank you for the wonderful gesture of support. (sent photo of daughter)_______________________________________I appreciate what you are doing and your sons service to the Marines. I am sure you are very proud of him. I am sending my info to register my wife. I was looking at doing something special for her as we lost our Son in 2007 and being in Iraq for a year is a long time to not have my shoulder for her to cry on when missing our son. It is people like you and those who participate in the gift giving that make serving in the Marines worthwhile.._______________________________________Thank you for your generosity. I know my sife will appreciate it greatly. In the 12th gift, just let her know that I love her and miss her very much, stay strong, thanks for being patient, and that I will be back home soon._______________________________________Maam, I think its wonderful what you are doing and truly do appreciate the wonderful support. This will be for my wife who is currently losing her mind with our two little girls and pregnant with our third child._______________________________________I am currently serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. We are stationed out of Hawaii but have Marines from Okinawa, California, and North Carolina in the unit. First, I would like to thank you for starting this program in supporting our service members and our love ones. You are a true American. The support we get from back home is greatly appreciated and definitely boost the Morale of our Marines. Thank you so much for what you do. If possible, I am respectfully requesting for a gift to my lovely wife of 12 years. She is at home taking care of our two children and the home front_______________________________________Good evening, I just wanted to thank you for all that you do. It is an amazing thing that you do and everyone here who filled out that paper is completely in debt to you and your group of simply amazing people. Your group are the real heros. I hope you have an amazing Christmas and thank you again for all that you do._______________________________________I am deployed to Afghanistan I would like to thank you for your time and effort in supporting our service members by helping them reach home to their families for the holidays. We greatly appreciate all that you do for us. My Marines were excited to be able to have the opportunity to participate in your program. Thank You again for your support._______________________________________I would like to thank you very much for doing something this special for the troops over here. Thank you again for this, it truly does mean a lot!!!_______________________________________Thank you for making this happen for my wife. I am in Iraq and unable to make this christmas as special as I would like and you are helping make it so much better. Thank you again.______________________________________I wanted to thank you on behalf of our unit for sending us and being a part of the program you run. I think its such a great idea and the Marines certainly appreciate everything that you are doing for us out here. Im sorry it took so long to thank you but as Im sure you realize, we are extremely busy out here. Just to give you a little information on our unit, we are stationed in San Diego, California and we love it out there. We work on CH-53E helicopters, some of us are crew chiefs, others mechanics, airframers, and avionics technicians. Ive enclosed a photo of our unit that was taken about a week ago in front of one of our aircraft. Once again, we cannot thank you enough for the support that you have given us. Each and every one of us thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you again. Thank you!!_____________________________________Thank you so much for taking care of our loved ones. Frankly, they have the harder time! Ive been married to my wife for 22 years, and have been in the military almost as long. Shes had to see me go on deployments four times already, three of which were combat tours. Shes currently in Okinawa, Japan, with my son, and our daughters are in Texas going to college. She misses all of us. Blessings to you.______________________________________Ma'am, Every little bit helps and I want to thank for all that you do for your Military Members. The military as a whole is a very proud and "Type A" personality this causes its members to not say please or thank you enough. Being that know, I would like to say thank you so very much for you dedication and support. Here's to a happy holiday season. Merry Christmas_______________________________________Thank you on behalf of my company for all of your efforts. It takes a lot of courage and dedication to continue to do what you are doing. I would like to personally thank you for taking a moment out of your life to thank a stranger. So from the bottom of my heart I would like to take a moment and Thank you for your time and recognition. Please take a moment and reflect to yourself and know that you have made a huge difference in thousands of soldiers lives. Your actions will continue to move through soldiers one by one and eventually all of us will have thanked you for taking a moment out of your life to Thank us._______________________________________Thanks for all you do. I'm grateful -- as I'm sure my fiancée will be -- for anything you can do. Even one gift would be a blessing. It's killing me to be away from my Lori -- her birthday is Christmas Eve, so it's doubly hard to miss the holiday season with her. So many organizations take care of us over here so well, which makes it easy in some ways for us to forget those who we've left behind. It would take a Mom to think up what you're doing, so thanks for thinking like a Mom. I'm sure many mothers, wives, fiancées, and girlfriends will be touched by your thoughtfulness this year and in years to come. Merry Christmas_______________________________________Thank you so much for making your holiday magic work for us troops here back in Iraq. I really appreciate your time & effort to help us out during times like these. It's definitely a holiday that I won't forget. Take care, to you & your love ones back home._______________________________________It makes me and my Marines feel special to know that we are getting supported from outside of our families. I constantly let [my Marines] know that they are special and do remarkable things everyday but no one owes them anything, but to know that there are great Americans out there that understand the loss our love ones go through when we are away is remarkable. I am at a lost of words but on behalf of the Marines and sailors, we salute you for the support. Semper Fi_______________________________________What a great feeling it is to have someone support us this way and care deeply for our loved ones as well. I wish there were some way I could show my gratitude, but I am restricted via e-mail. This has made being away for Christmas that much more bearable, and I have you to thank! I wish you a happy holiday season, and cannot express enough how much I appreciate this._______________________________________I just wanna say thank you very much for choosing me and my fiance for this program. It really does help. Even [if] Im not gonna be home for the holidays, the fact that people care means something._______________________________________This is my second tour to Iraq as a medic with the infantry, yet my first away for the holidays. When I read [about this program], I was overwhelmed. It's rather difficult for us to send something like that to someone we care so much about. To have someone that cares about us this much is such a great feeling, especially at this time of year._______________________________________I would greatly appreciate this gift to her. Thank you so incredibly much for your thoughts and for your caring nature to all the Marines and their loved ones during this holiday season. Once again, thank you so much for this offer. I am truly indebted to the kindness of yourself and all the sponsors that support us._______________________________________I just want to give you a quick thank you. I don't know if you realize, but us soldiers do appreciate everything that folk like you do for us. The toughest times are the weekends and holidays when we would normally be sending time with our families. I miss my wife and son so very much. But knowing that we are truly supported by the folks like you back home, taking care of our loved ones, really does make a difference. Thank you so very much for your support._____________________________________

From Vickie

From Vickie Durfee

I'm a Marine Mom. The photo on the labels and the cards is my son, Cpl. Gilchrist Durfee and his fiance, now wife, Ashley. It was taken the day that Gil was deployed to Iraq. It was a day filled with tears, laughter, fear and quiet determination.Ashley was the very first recipient of the Twelve Days of Christmas. In 2006, when Gil was in Beirut, he asked if I could help him put something special together for Ashley for Christmas, since he didn't have a lot of options! As Ashley opened each of the twelve gifts, she was so delighted, and Gil felt good that he was able to make her Christmas a little special even if he couldn't be there. I had given him a gift, too - the gift of hearing the joy in her voice.When Gil was deployed to Iraq in September 2007, I wanted to do the same for as many men and women who were deployed as I could. So I started talking to people, and talking and talking. I found individuals and businesses that wanted to support these men and women, and sponsor their Christmas gifts home. I met strangers, who became friends, and who helped pack up the gifts. I received countless letters and emails from the women who received the gifts and the men who were deployed, expressing their deepest gratitude and appreciation. I found that people WANT to make a difference and to help those making the sacrifice, but they just don't know how.I had hoped to be able to find sponsors for Gil's squad of twelve men, or possibly two squads. However, in two and a half months we were able to sponsor 150 servicemen and women, sending their love home all over the United States. One even went back to Iraq to a loved one serving overseas herself! My cup was filled!This program helped ME to stay sane while my son was deployed. While telling people about this holiday program, I got to talk about my Marine to everyone! That's not to say that I didn't well up and shed a couple of tears, but I got over being emotional in front of people - its not about me, after all. Its about those serving and those supporting them at home. Many women shared with me that this helped them to get through the holidays, and they felt a little more connected. They thanked me for making a difference in their son or daughter's deployment. I think I was doubly blessed as I had the love of so many women carrying me through my son's deployment.From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the men and women who serve. Their sacrifice, obedience and determination have shown me what real commitment looks like. And I want to thank all the women that shoulder the responsibilities and make the sacrifices that go with loving a serviceman. Thank you for being a role model, thank you for being strong even when you feel like mush, thank you for supporting those that serve and that are supporting our great country. We appreciate you!Sincerely,Vickie Durfee

Bios and Contact

Vickie Durfee, Executive Director

Vickie Durfee is married to her high school sweetheart, Jim, and is blessed to have all three of her children living in Rochester, NY. She is a director in Mary Kay. Through her business and a desire to work alongside of her deployed son, she started FCH. Vickie believes that in helping others, we gain strength and perspective.

Lisa Miller, Director

Lisa Miller is a "professional volunteer" whose commitment to Full Circle Home grew from her own experience as an Army Mom. Determined to make the holidays a little brighter for others whose loved ones were deployed, Lisa was quick to join Vickie's "12 Days of Christmas" program in 2007.

Support the women supporting the troops. Make a tax-deductible donation supporting the work of Full Circle Home.

Donate

In Memoriam

Sgt. Timothy Michael Smith, 25, of South Lake Tahoe, California, was killed in action on April 7, 2008. He was serving with Alpha Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat, 10th Mountain Division (Light) in Baghdad, Iraq. For Christmas 2007, Smitty sent packages to his wife and mother through Full Circle Home.