BR Soldier Outreach Named Charity of the Year by SouthernMuscle American Car and Truck Club as Organization Seeks New Home to Continue Mission
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
BR Soldier Outreach is honored to announce it has been selected as the Charity of the Year by SouthernMuscle American Car and Truck Club. The partnership recognizes the nonprofit’s ongoing commitment to supporting deployed United States service members, veterans, and local community members in need.
The designation comes at a critical moment for BR Soldier Outreach. The organization is actively searching for a new facility after losing access to the warehouse space that has supported its operations for years.
Due to recent changes in warehouse leadership and consolidation of other operations into the facility, BR Soldier Outreach was required to vacate its primary workspace. While the warehouse owners have generously allowed the nonprofit temporary use of a narrow garage-style strip to store supplies, the limited space has significantly reduced the organization’s ability to operate at its normal capacity.
Christy Smith – Founder and CEO
“Our mission has not changed,” said Christy, Founder and CEO of BR Soldier Outreach. “But our ability to serve at the scale our soldiers and community rely on has been severely restricted by space. We are grateful for the temporary accommodation, but it is not sustainable.”
Supporting Deployed Soldiers Across the Globe
BR Soldier Outreach is best known for its care packages and morale support programs for deployed service members. During November and December, the organization shipped 2,066 fully packed Christmas stockings to deployed soldiers in 12 different countries.
These shipments cost $7,762 in postage and were funded through donations and community support.
Each stocking is carefully assembled with comfort items, personal care supplies, and morale-boosting gifts. At Christmastime, BR Soldier Outreach also sends small Christmas trees, ornaments, and decorations to help deployed troops brighten their living areas during the holidays.
Some countries prohibit religious-themed items. In those cases, BR Soldier Outreach adapts by using standard one-gallon supply bags while still ensuring soldiers receive thoughtful and practical items.
“This is not a one-size-fits-all effort,” Christy said. “We tailor every shipment to comply with regulations while still letting our soldiers know they are remembered and appreciated.”
Space Constraints Threaten Volume and Reach
A major challenge facing BR Soldier Outreach is logistics. The organization regularly receives palletized donations from a local distributing company. These pallets are transported using a 14-foot trailer that must be backed directly into a warehouse for unloading.
With the organization now confined to a narrow garage strip, this process is no longer feasible.
“The volume we are used to handling simply cannot happen in this space,” Christy explained. “We are having to turn away opportunities and slow down programs because we physically cannot receive, store, and sort donations the way we used to.”
As a result, some outreach programs have been paused or scaled back until a new facility can be secured.
Serving the Community Beyond the Military
In addition to supporting deployed troops, BR Soldier Outreach plays a direct role in helping the local community.
The organization accepts a wide range of donated items. Supplies that cannot be shipped overseas are shared locally through partnerships and community outreach efforts, including Rotary Club support for homeless assistance, church outreach programs, and deliveries to veteran care facilities and veteran homes.
Many recipients are veterans transitioning out of homelessness, families rebuilding after house fires, or individuals and households who are simply starting over.
BR Soldier Outreach also operates a merchandise booth at Benton Brothers, a local vendor market with more than 50 booths. Donated items and volunteer-made goods are sold to fund outreach programs, and the location also serves as a donation drop-off point, giving the organization added exposure and a consistent community connection.
Items that do not sell are sometimes listed on Facebook Marketplace to help raise funds. Historically, the organization also maintained a large shelf display at its warehouse to store and distribute items quickly when urgent community needs arose.
Currently, most of this storage and rapid-response capability has been reduced due to space limitations, forcing the organization to give away and consolidate supplies simply to fit into the temporary strip area.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
The Charity of the Year designation from SouthernMuscle American Car and Truck Club provides visibility and momentum as BR Soldier Outreach works to secure a new home and restore operational capacity.
“This partnership means more than financial support,” Christy said. “It represents belief in what we do and confidence that our mission matters.”
Looking Ahead
BR Soldier Outreach remains committed to its mission despite current challenges. The organization is seeking a warehouse or large storage facility that can support pallet deliveries, trailer access, sorting tables, shelving, and volunteer operations.
Community members, business owners, and property managers who can support BR Soldier Outreach or offer potential space are encouraged to reach out and help keep these programs running at full strength.
“Our soldiers and veterans deserve consistency,” Christy said. “With the right space, we can keep doing what we have always done: showing up for them.”
