FAIRMONT - Martin County's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon support group for military personnel hopes area residents will remember "Red Fridays."
Orders for red T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts are now being taken. They include the phrase?"Support Our Troops." T-shirts start at $13, sweatshirts at $25.
"What is raised is used to provide resources and support to local, active service members and their families, for all military branches," explained Tam Plumhoff, one of the organizers of the group.
Support services for military families are usually available at bases but there are few to no services nearby.
"The nearest is Ft. Snelling by the Cities," Plumhoff said. "With this, we can reach out and help each other here ... Most people we've talked to for this have asked, 'What else can we do to help?' We hope this will become a network of neighbors helping neighbors. We would ask the community to keep their eyes open in case they see a military family that is struggling. Most do not come forward to ask for help."
"Employers and large groups can collectively get orders ready," Plumhoff said. "It's a good opportunity for employers and employees to make Fridays 'Red Friday.'"
As the fledgling group begins to take off, Plumhoff hopes to see more volunteers.
"We'd like to have a person from each of the communities be a part of this," she said, adding that there are currently 20 to 25 members of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon in Martin County, but they would like to have at least 50.
The T-shirts and hoodies can be ordered at all American Legions in Martin County, along with the Fairmont VFW.
T-Shirt orders also can be placed at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Fairmont Medical Center's gift shop, Ad Mfg in Fairmont, Trimont Monterey Bar and Grill, Granada Bar and Grill, and the Truman Cafe.
Orders also be placed with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon members.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon began in Minnesota in 2008, with the town of Farmington being the first Yellow Ribbon City. The group's mission is use existing support activities, build awareness and take action to recognize and support servicemen and women and their families.
For more information on the "Support Our Troops" shirts or the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization, contact Plumhoff at (507) 238-2806.