Adopt a Platoon
Historically, NAIOP San Diego (NAIOPSD) has been a huge success in being able to raise money and donate the funds raised to a number of worthy causes. The Board of Directors decided to take this type of giving to the next level in establishing its Community Involvement Committee, where we not only raise funds, we become actively involved in helping the community where we work, live and play. While considering several options, it became clear where San Diego might need our support: the military and their families. Obviously, San Diego being a big military town, it was not difficulty to select and partner with a deserving group of fine community members. Therefore, our focus has been the Adopt-A-Platoon Campaign. We were not aware of any other real estate group doing this type of work to help such an important factor in the community and felt it very unique. We have adopted the Marines and Sailors of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion out of Camp Pendleton. These Marines and Sailors are a unique breed amongst warriors and we are honored to support these men and their families who give selflessly to help secure and protect our freedom.
The Adopt-a-Platoon Committee was formed with 20 members. The committee's duties would be to coordinate volunteer efforts and support the Marines, Sailors and their families as they endure the hardships of deployment. The most important issue to these men is to know that someone would be there to help their families while they were away protecting the United States.
To date, the Adopt-a-Platoon Committee has coordinated several volunteer efforts and provided support to the units as they deploy. We have taken care of family members in times of need and supported the men during long hard deployments. NAIOPSD members have also celebrated the safe return of these brave men and we have mourned with them during tragic losses. It has been the Committees intent to foster a friendship with these brave men and their families and the involvement from NAIOPSD members has been remarkable. Several of our members have participated in our support efforts and our involvement and support efforts continue to increase.
To date, NAIOP San Diego has supported the USMC by:
- Hosting their pre-deployment dinner. NAIOP members gathered together with the Alpha Company to get to know their families and give them a fitting send off.
- Sending cooling towels, vitamins and Gatorade
- Sending a Mother’s Day card and gift to all the wives
- Helping a Marine’s family transport to a vehicle
- Helping a Marine’s family that needed to be moved
- Helping a Marine’s wife fly to her father’s funeral in Japan
- Planning/hosting a party for Company Alpha in Perth, Australia on their way home.
“These Marines are HERO’s in my book and REAL roll models for our children (and us!),” said Matt Reid, NAIOP Community Involvement Committee chair.
To help NAIOP support Marine Special Operations and their families throughout the duration of their deployment, checks can be made payable to NAIOP and mailed to 2658 Del Mar Heights Road, #559, Del Mar, CA 92014.
Being able to help the community in this fashion has not only been patriotic, it has brought the NAIOPSD community together to give to a cause that is in the forefront of their minds. Helping these marines will be a long term project for us and each and every member has really expressed an interest in being involved in some way. The marines are heroes in our eyes and real role models for our children and us.
A father / daughter moment 
NAIOP members attending the pre-deployment dinner 
