Blake Hall
Troop care packages seldom include supplies for military dogs. Worried about the heroic pooches in the field, 11 year-old Kylie Baker started a modest GoFundMe campaign to raise money for care packages stocked full with dogs toys, blankets and treats.
My name is Kylie and I am 10 years old. I really love dogs. I have 2 black labs, My oldest one is named Gunner and my puppy is named Bentley. I love helping animals and the dogs in the military need help too! I would like to make as many care packages as possible. I would put chew toys, treats, blankets, beds, boots, bones and more in their care package. Any amount of money donated would be great. This would not only make me happy but it would make the dogs happy too.
The project is fueled both by Kylie’s love of dogs and her respect for her deceased grandfather. Her grandfather served in the Navy for four years, and he committed suicide three years ago. Helping military dogs get necessary supplies is Kylie’s way of honoring her grandfather’s memory.
Kylie’s campaign originally requested $3,500 in donations and a list of supplies ranging from cooling vests and nail clippers to bully sticks and dog bowls. The GoFundMe has already succeeded its original goal, and the page now chronicles the purchase, shipping and delivery of every care package.
Here’s Kylie sorting different items into her care packages.
Here she is bringing those packages to the post office.
And here is a military dogs enjoying her gifts.
According to an update on her GoFundMe page, Kylie plans to keep making her care packages for as long as she keeps receiving funding. So far she has mailed out 60 packages. Shipping costs alone have eaten up $900.