Throughout the year, the Yorba Linda-11th MEU Adoption Committee provides a variety of events and services for our Marines, Sailors, and their families.  We sponsor holiday parties with gifts for the children, and pancake breakfasts and barbecues for single Marines and Corpsmen.  We put together gift baskets of essentials to welcome all new MEU babies, and "Welcome Home" barracks bags of necessities for the first few days when single service members return from deployment.  We organize activities for families when the MEU is deployed, including craft sessions, picnics, fishing outings, a visit to Sea World, and so much more.   If you would like to help, there are several ways to be involved. 

VOLUNTEER

Join The Committee

Volunteer In-Kind

Attend Or Support A Specific Event

DONATE

Baby Items

Welcome Home Bags

Items When the MEU is Deployed

VOLUNTEER

JOIN THE COMMITTEE

The Yorba Linda-11th MEU Adoption Committee has a few sub-committees that plan and coordinate the various activities and events necessary for the success of our mission. Perhaps you could find the time to help in one of these areas occasionally. 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Connect with residents, create sponsorships, cultivate relationships with businesses, service organizations, and individuals through letters or meeting directly.

FUNDRAISING - Help organize efforts to raise funds and/or donations for specific events or campaigns; promote and manage Go-Fund-Me campaigns when needed. 

MEDIA/PUBLIC RELATIONS - Communicate Committee efforts with the Press and local community outlets.

SPECIAL EVENTS - Help plan and coordinate Committee programs, including baby baskets, family fun days, Easter Egg hunt, barracks prep, Fall pumpkin patch, Thanksgiving Feast, BBQs, holiday parties, and other social events.

VOLUNTEER IN-KIND

Contributions of goods or services allows the Committee to reserve scarce funds for other elements of our mission.  We are grateful for any goods or in-kind contributions, such as: 

• DJ Services & Equipment • Food & Beverages • Graphic Design 

• Items For Raffle Prizes • Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins • Party Decorations • Printing • Rental Equipment • Theme Park Tickets             

• The Committee would welcome any other donations of products or in-kind contributions.                                      

ATTEND OR SUPPORT A SPECIFIC EVENT

To serve our MEU, the Committee plans many events and activities throughout the year. Please consider participating in one or more, as volunteers are always in short supply. The varied Elements of the MEU change every year, so there is an ongoing need.

Annually, we deliver "Welcome Home" bags and prep the barracks for the return of the deployed members; we host a December Holiday Party; and organize BBQs and pancake breakfasts for single service members. We deliver baby baskets throughout the year.

Come to one of our carwashes, donate a toy, buy a raffle ticket, or support one of our restaurant fundraisers.  Adults-only dinner cruises and our formal Halfway Home Gala are very fun and popular events.

WRITE A LETTER

Members of the military, especially the younger members, are excited to receive mail.  For some, the military experience is their first extended time away from home and family.  If you write to them, please be mindful that the MEU has male and female personnel. Address to:

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit DRC

Box 555361

Camp Pendleton, CA

92055-5361

DONATE

BABY BASKETS

The Yorba Linda-11th MEU Adoption Committee donates a wonderful gift basket with baby essentials to all new MEU parents, and continues to provide diapers and baby wipes throughout the year. Any donations from the community are welcomed, whether complete baskets or any of the items listed below.  If you would like to support our baby basket program with a financial donation, please make a note on your check or the drop-down menu on the Donate page.

We can arrange to pick up any items that you wish to donate.  Please call us or send us an email and specify a date and time that is convenient for you. 

Items requested for "Welcome Baby" Baskets

• Baby shampoo • Blankets • Bottles • Burp cloths

• Desitin-type ointment • Diapers, any size • Hooded bath towels

• Onesies • Pacifiers • Socks, booties, shoes • Strollers

• Sturdy laundry baskets • Wipes

"WELCOME HOME" BARRACKS BAGS

Many of our MEU members will return from their 6- to 9-months deployment to empty barracks.  We try to give them a helping hand by providing "Welcome Home" bags, which we put in their rooms.

Items suggested for Barracks Bags

Personal Care Products

• Bath towel/wash cloth • Body wash/shampoo/3-in-1 • Dental floss

• Deodorant • Disposable razors • Mouthwash • Shaving cream

• Small box of detergent/soap pods • Toilet paper

• Toothbrush • Toothpaste

Dry Snack Food & Drinks

• Chips • Cookies • Cup-O-Noodles/Mac & Cheese • Jerky

• Granola/protein bars • Nuts • Microwave Popcorn • Pretzels • Trail mix

• Single serve powdered drinks

• A Welcome Home note would really be a treat

Many people are hesitant to be out and about during these times, so we are happy to pick up any items you would like to donate.  Please give us a call or send us an email and specify a date and time that is convenient for you.  We will accept curb-side pick up, too!  

If you would like to make a financial donation for these supplies, please make a note on your check, or the drop-down menu on the Donate page.

CARE PACKAGES

Did you know that "CARE package" is a trademarked term?  It is owned by the humanitarian organization The Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere. The organization was founded just after World War 2 to send food, clothing, and other supplies to war-torn countries.  The packages they sent (sometimes by the plane load) had C.A.R.E. printed on them.  The name has changed to CARE International, but their mission is much the same today as it was in 1945.  

We will be posting suggested items when the MEU is close to deploying later in the year.

If you would like to make a financial contribution for these supplies, please make a note on your check.