Topic: Care Packages for the Troops; Jacob’s Light
Originally aired on December 17th, 2008
Dorine Kenney lost her only child Jacob to the Iraq war. Eleven days after Jacob’s death, on his 29th birthday, Dorine sent a care package to one of her son’s friends still serving in Iraq. This single act spawned The Jacob’s Light Foundation, an organization to honor her son and care for those still fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Topic: Care Packages for the Troops
Jacob’s Light
Dorine Kenney
Founder
Jacob’s Light Foundation
Operation Homefront, Inc.
Dorine Kenney
Dorine Kenney gave birth to Jacob Fletcher on November 25th, 1974. As the years past and he grew older their bond only grew stronger. Dorine was supportive of her son when he was deployed to Iraq, and once he had settled in she sent him care packages once a week. When Jacob asked her to send a package to his buddy she did not hesitate. Tragically, Jacob was killed on November 13, 2003 by an IED. On Jacob’s birthday, November 25th, 2003, Dorine sent another care package to Jacob’s buddy in Iraq. She believed it was the best way she could honor her son. That day Jacob’s Light Foundation was born, and 5 years later Dorine and her amazing set of volunteers have sent over 200,000 pounds of supplies to those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Cpl. Jacob Fletcher
Jacob Fletcher was born on Novemer 25, 1974 and was raised by his mother Dorine in New York. He had always had a love for the military, but after September 11th he decided he had to join the Army and serve his country. Jacob was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade when he jumped into Iraq on March 26, 2003. While in Iraq he wrote his mother often. In one letter he requested she send one of her care packages that he had grown to love to his friend that had no family. This request was just one example of how he was always looking out for those around him. Tragically, on November 13th, 2003, Jacob was killed by an IED on Highway 1 in Samarra. Jacob left his mother and his community with a profound sense of loss but he also left them with his light. It was his light of sharing that inspired his mother to form Jacob’s Light Foundation and send care packages and gifts to those fighting in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in the hopes that no one serving will ever feel alone.