Our Mission & History
In 2002...
Ann Bilowz of Sterling, MA had an idea to have a common spot to bring together friends and families of the men or women currently serving, as well as to acknowledge those that had served before them. The motto was simple, “May We Never Forget.”
Today, Ann’s idea has become American Family Link, a community-driven and volunteer-run organization that has helped hundreds of families both here and abroad. With the past few years has come growth and change. Our motto became a message of strength and willingness to succeed, and by proclaiming that “WE will NEVER forget,” our ideas of togetherness and community will never be lost.
American Family Link has survived much and continues to bring both a strong sense of pride and community to Leominster and surrounding towns.
Our Mission, Our Future
The mission of American Family Link is to not only honor our veterans (past and present) but also their families and friend and al those wanting to show their support for our troops.
Our motto is simple “WE will NEVER Forget”. We will never forget the sacrifices of thousands of men and women before us that served our great country without hesitation and thousands more that gave the ultimate sacrifice. As their ancestors before them, today we watch with fear, admiration, belief and prayer as thousands more put themselves in harms way to defend our country knowing, no matter the cost.
As we watch today’s brave men and women march forth, we will also never forget their families they must leave behind: husbands, wives, children, partners, fiancees, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends and more... American Family Link is here for you.
Although our organization is based out of Leominster, MA, we welcome anyone that would like to join us in showing support for our troops and their families. Our doors and meetings are open to all of you. You are not alone! If you are willing and able to come to Leominster, we will welcome you with a smile, a friendly shoulder to lean on, and a place where you will know that all those around you have, are, or may someday experience a loved one’s deployment.
American Family Link is an all volunteer group that tries to come together once a month for meetings. Each month there is at least one event that taske place at the meeting, whether it is a guest speaker, a demonstration, light activities, packing boxes for our troops overseas, welcoming home service men and women that have completed their tour and more. To date, we have welcomed home close to 100 troops. As we unite families with their soldiers we give a small gift bag as a thank you to all they have given and to hopefully help to acclimate them back into civilian life.
There times a year in March, July and November, we hold a large package drive. With the generosity and donations of the many people involved, American Family Link packages approximately 150 boxes at each of these events. Over the past six years, we have sent more than 1100 boxes overseas which we hope brings a smile to each soldier’s face and serve as a reminder that they have all sorts of people back home that care for them and are thinking about them. We are, and will be, the force that helps families and soldiers both here and abroad remember that we will NEVER forget.