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"Our goal is to provide support to the people who provide support to our troops. It gives us an opportunity to give them spiritual support number one," Hoebeke said about his "Adopt-a-Chaplain" program. "They very often need someone to talk to about what is going on in their lives, but then also to supply them the things to do their work."
Adopt-a-Chaplain began through an encouraging e-mail Hoebeke sent to a chaplain in Iraq who had been having spiritual problems. The chaplain expressed his concerns for the troops and the need to provide them with snacks and supplies to help them get through hardships they face while away from family and friends. After hearing this request, Hoebeke immediately took action.
"I sent him three boxes, and that went over very well, and three boxes became six and then nine," Hoebeke said. "He told his chaplain friends, and one chaplain became three, and it just started steam rolling."
Adopt-a-Chaplain is a member of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which showcases Americans' efforts to support servicemembers and their families.
Currently, 20 chaplains are receiving assistance from the organization, and the program continues to spread by word of mouth.
"At this point we've received help primarily through the Web site," Hoebeke said. Program volunteers also set up a booth Los Gatos, Calif., Fourth of July celebration with available so passersby by could write encouraging notes to the troops.
In the future, Hoebeke said, he hopes to expand the project outside of San Jose, Calif., and set-up Adopt-a-Chaplain chapters all over country.
"I've been getting e-mails from all over the country. ... We'll give them the information and find the chaplains and match them up. They'll report to us the kinds of things they're sending," he said."
Adopt-a-Chaplain is completely volunteer-run, and all contributions go toward the purchase of care package supplies and postage. "Up until 3 months ago, we virtually did all the packing ourselves. Every night when I would get home from work I would throw all the stuff in the living room and spend all night packing boxes," Hoebeke said.
Hoebeke and other Adopt-a-Chaplain volunteers provide food, toiletries, and toys for local children, as well as other necessities and products chaplains request to best fit their own needs and those of the troops they support. Sometimes, the group sends the chaplains items to distribute among local people during humanitarian missions. They also maintain contact with chaplains' families, offering them help and encouragement while their loved ones are overseas.
"We just kind of try to complete the whole loop." Hoebeke said.
Hoebeke stressed the necessity of programs like Adopt-A-Chaplain to support those who cannot be with family and friends. He encourages people to make donations to comfort chaplains and other troops during deployments.
"There are just so many things that give the soldiers a reminder of home," he said. "It just helps them build the kind of camaraderie they need to be successful out there."