MorningStar is more than just a group of neighbors. It is a true community, committed to service and the well-being of everyone in our neighborhood and beyond. As part of our commitment to service, MorningStar is a sponsor of the Helping a Hero Warrior Concert & Celebration on August 9th. The concert will benefit the family of Sargent James “Shane” Ray, U.S. Army. MorningStar will also host a Welcome Home ceremony for the Ray family at their new home on Friday, August 10th.
Helping a Hero Warrior Concert & Benefit August 9th
General (Ret.) Anthony “Tony” Cucolo will be a guest speaker, in addition to Lee Greenwood, famed singer of “God Bless the USA.” Lee Greenwood will perform along with other surprise special guests.
Sgt. (Ret) James “Shane” Ray received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his tour in Iraq. Sgt. Ray deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne, 1/32 CAV RSTA. While on night patrol in June 2006, he was driving a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when it ran over two IEDs, causing severe burns, the loss of his right leg, and ongoing medical complications. Sgt. Ray is married and has two children, including one who has special needs.
Sgt. Ray’s family’s home burned to the ground and they lost everything. The home’s contents were not insured. That’s a painful way to return home, but we want to ensure the family gets a fresh start, and that Sgt. Ray gets the hero’s welcome he deserves. They are currently living in a 300 square foot rental and sleeping on mattresses on the floor. They deserve better. Our goal is to raise proceeds to fully fund and furnish this home, and provide the Ray family with everything they need to rebuild their lives in a wheelchair-accessible home.
We are inviting all community members to donate to the Ray family via sponsorship at the Warrior Concert & Celebration (see sponsorship form attachment), or by donating the following home items and services:
• Appliances, including a refrigerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and all other standard home appliances.
• Tools
• Vacuum and all other home maintenance basics.
• Toaster, microwave, and other small home appliances.
• Linens including towels, sheets, and pillows.
• Mattresses and bed frames.
• Basic household furniture.
• Televisions
We are also seeking donations of home services. Some examples that local businesses may be able to provide include:
• Lawn service.
• Home utilities such as electricity or cable.
We are thrilled to be pulling together as a community to help this family out. The fundraiser promises to be both fun and meaningful—a chance for us to rally as a community and remember what makes MorningStar so special. Let’s give this family the fresh start they so richly deserve. Click here to download the invite.
Welcome Home Ceremony August 10th
Wear red, white, and blue, and join us following the Warrior Concert & Celebration to welcome home the Ray family. The Welcome Home ceremony will be August 10th, beginning at 9 AM at 101 Bluffview Cove, Georgetown, Texas, in MorningStar.
We will present the family with donations and gift cards during this important celebration. Thank you to all our partners. We look forward to honoring the family at this ceremony, and to seeing our community there.
Sponsorship opportunities still exist. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation towards this home, please contact Helping a Hero at (888) 786-9531. For more information regarding the events contact Meredith Iler at (832) 647-8683 or meredithiler@aol.com