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'''Move America Forward''' is a conservative political action group based in California in the ]. Through media-saturation campaigns that include television and radio commercials;<ref name="CW618">{{cite web
{{Infobox organization
|url=http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=wnom4et6ziot6b
|title=Kaloogian rides Move America Forward into the public eye | name = Move America Forward
|image = File:MAF_LOGO.png
|last=Maclachlan
| formation = 2004
|first=Malcolm
| founders = ], ], ]
|date=2006-04-06
| type = ]
|work=}}
| purpose = Support United States Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan
</ref> lobbying politicians at the local, state, and federal levels; and by encouraging grass-roots activism, Move America Forward has sought to advance conservative causes that includes the removal of the ] headquarters from the United States, a ] directed at President ] to keep the ] open,<ref> Move America Forward.</ref> the recalling of state governors it deems too "liberal," restricting what it terms "liberal" or "activist" media, the closing of the ] and the deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin, opposition of what it deems "liberal" political candidates and political action groups, and advocacy for conservative political candidates and appointees. Move America Forward vocally supports and advocates the policies of the ]. <ref name="CW618" />
| headquarters = ]
| website = {{URL|http://www.moveamericaforward.org}}
}}


'''Move America Forward''' is a ] military charity based in ]. ], ] and ] established the organization in 2004.<ref name=alternet>{{cite web|url=https://www.alternet.org/story/18963/%27fahrenheit_9_11%27_on_the_hot_seat|title='Fahrenheit 9/11' on the Hot Seat|publisher=]|date=June 16, 2004|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref> The organization supports front-line United States Armed Forces troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref name=sfgate>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Conservatives-launch-pre-emptive-strike-against-2713321.php|title=Conservatives launch pre-emptive strike against documentary critical of Bush / 'Fahrenheit 9/11' called propaganda|author=Carla Marinucci|date=14 June 2004|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> On March 20, 2024, the charity announced it was changing its name to Troopathon, after the annual fundraising event that it holds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.troopathon.org/all-blogs/were-rebranding-to-troopathon-pt3ys-nzlty |title=We're Rebranding to Troopathon! |date=2024-03-20 |publisher=Troopathon }}</ref>
==Founding==
Move America Forward was established in ] by Republican political consultant ], former Republican assemblyman ] and former conservative Republican ] talk show host ], both of whom now serve as Move America Forward's co-chairmen. Both Russo and Kaloogian served in key roles in the successful ''] Committee'' that prompted the 2003 gubernatorial ] of California's Democrat governor — Kaloogian as chairman of the recall campaign, Russo as chief strategist.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web
|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0306/17/se.01.html
|title=Calif. Gov. Davis Faces Recall Effort
|work=
|date=2003-06-17}}
</ref> In November 2003, one month after the recall election, Russo told the ] of the 120,000 recall supporters in his database. "We took on the political establishment and won, and they feel empowered, ... They want to be involved. ... We'll change the name to something like 'Move America Forward,'" and go national, he predicted. A week later, the ] MoveAmericaForward.com was registered to Russo's ], ''Russo Marsh & Rogers''.<ref name="PR Watch">{{cite web
|url=http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2004Q3/maf.html
|first=Diane
|last=Marsetta
|title=Moving America One Step Forward And Two Steps Back
|accessdate=2008-02-28
|work=
|date=2004}}
</ref> Both Kaloogian and Russo continued on with Move America Forward in essentially the same roles as in the ''Recall Gray Davis Committee''.<ref name="about MAF">{{cite web
|url=http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/AboutUs
|title=About Us
|work=
|accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref>


==History==
Russo Marsh & Rogers is ]-based political public relations firm, with strong ties to the ]. Russo, a principal in Russo Marsh & Rogers, worked on the political campaigns of ], ], ], ], and ].
]
], ] and ] formed Move America Forward in 2004.<ref name=alternet/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/org-ignites-9-11-fight-1117906427/|title=Org Ignites '9/11' Fight|publisher=Variety|first=David|last=Rooney|date=June 14, 2004|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref>


In 2005, the organization took its first trip to Iraq called ''Voices of Soldiers'' tour.<ref name=accessnorthga>{{cite web|url=http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n=128734|title=The Final Chapter of My Trip To Iraq|accessdate=1 November 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101205924/http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n=128734|archivedate=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=utsandiego>{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2005/jun/30/kaloogian-headed-to-iraq/|title=Kaloogian headed to Iraq|date=30 June 2005|author=Mark Walker|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> Soldiers were interviewed to share their stories in the success in the fight against terrorism during the trip.<ref name=accessnorthga/> That August, Move America Forward sponsored a ''You don't speak for me, Cindy!'' tour to counter Cindy Sheehan's protest at President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch and the vigils held in her support.<ref name=freerepublic>{{cite web|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1465713/posts|title=Supporters of U.S. Involvement in Iraq Plan Caravans to Texas|date=18 August 2005|author=Jim Robinson|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> The following year, Move America Forward sponsored ''Trip Gold Star'', the organization's second trip to Iraq.<ref name=goldstar>{{cite web|url=http://www.sgtmacsbar.com/CCTPhotos/Gallery24/Argel/Funeral/Iraq.html|title=Lompoc mom hopes to honor son's memory in trip to Iraq |publisher = Santa Barbara (Cal.) News-Press | date = 23 January 2006 | author=Nora K. Wallace| accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> The trip to Kurdistan, including Gold Star Moms, was for the parents of fallen American soldiers to see where their sons and daughters made the ultimate sacrifice.<ref name=goldstar/> That year, the organization introduced its ''Care package for the troops'' program.<ref name=hotair>{{cite web|url=http://hotair.com/archives/2014/08/05/move-america-forward-responds-to-pro-publica-report/|title=Move America Forward responds to Pro Publica report|date=5 August 2014|author=Ed Morrissey|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=army>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil/article/25781/Move_America_Forward__MAF_/|title=Move America Forward|author=John Heiner|date=12 August 2009|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> The program sends care packages including coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, and other requested items to troops year around.<ref name=depotpark>{{cite web|url=http://www.depotpark.com/blog/depot-park-hosts-the-5th-annual-troop-a-thon|title=Depot Park Hosts the 5th Annual Troop-A-Thon|date=30 July 2012|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=tcttimes>{{cite web|url=http://www.tctimes.com/news/want-to-support-our-troops/article_ac3006be-78d5-11e1-8efe-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm|title=Want to support our troops?|date=28 March 2012|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref>
In 2004, whatreallyhappened.com published an online exposé revealing the ties of Move America Forward to Russo Marsh & Rogers, information obtained using a ] look-up service, showing that Russo Marsh & Rogers established the Move America Forward website. Siobhan Guiney, Executive Director of Move America Forward, admitted that Russo Marsh & Rogers did register the site for them and that the two groups shared a building and a phone receptionist <ref name="Pac Views">{{cite web
|url=http://www.pacificviews.org/weblog/archives/000202.html
|title="RM+R and Move America Forward"
|date=2004-06-16
|work=
|last=The
|first=Natasha}}
</ref>. Not long after the exposé Move America Forward purged all references to Russo Marsh & Rogers from its domain registration, going to so far as to list a Sacramento bar as its registrant phone number at one point. <ref></ref>


Move America Forward held its first "Honoring our Heroes at the Holidays" national bus tour in 2007.<ref name=usatoday>{{cite web|url=http://yourlife.usatoday.com/mind-soul/doing-good/kindness/post/2011/05/how-to-honor-our-heroes-this-memorial-day/171900/1|title=Honoring our heroes this Memorial Day|author=Christie Garton|date=27 May 2011|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> The tour traveled to over 40 cities in the United States and collected over 200,000 Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday cards for American troops.<ref name=usatoday/> That year, a third trip to Iraq was led by spokeswoman Debbie Lee. The Move America Forward delegation visited troops in Ramadi, at Camp Marc Lee named after Debbie Lee's son, the first Navy SEAL to be killed in the war in Iraq.<ref name=troopathon>{{cite web|url=http://www.troopathon.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Troopathon-7-Media-Availability.pdf|title=Troopathon 7 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627175308/http://www.troopathon.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Troopathon-7-Media-Availability.pdf|archive-date=2014-06-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, Move America Forward sent a delegation to ] to thank troops for their service.<ref name=freerepublic2>{{cite web|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2151437/posts|title=Pro-Troop Group Brings Holiday Cheer to Gitmo Troops|date=19 December 2008|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> The trip was organized by Kylie Williams, the official ambassador for veterans' advocacy for the State of Florida.<ref name=freerepublic2/> The second ''Honoring our Heroes at the Holidays'' national bus tour collected over 200,000 cards that year.<ref name=freerepublic3>{{cite web|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2150165/posts|title=MAF Honoring Heroes |date=17 December 2008|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> That year, Move America Forward hosted the first Troopathon, an online fundraiser, to raise money to send care packages to troops.<ref name=propublica/>
==Agenda==
Move American Forward describes itself as "...a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to supporting America’s efforts to defeat terrorism and supporting the brave men and women of our Armed Forces."<ref name="about MAF" />


''K9 Care Packages'', a program to support military working dogs and their handlers, was launched by the organization in October 2011.<ref name=tailsinc>{{cite web|url=http://www.tailsinc.com/2011/12/local-hero-supporting-the-troops%E2%80%99-best-friends/|title=Local Hero – Supporting the Troops' Best Friends|date=1 December 2011|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> Move America Forward was named "Top-rated Nonprofit" by Great Nonprofits in 2014 and 2015.<ref name=greatnonprofits>{{cite web|url=http://greatnonprofits.org/org/move-america-forward|title=Move America Forward|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> That March, the Rogers Family Company donated coffee and tea to Move America Forward for troops.<ref name=rogerscoffee>{{cite web|url=http://www.lincolnnewsmessenger.com/article/rogers-family-company-donates-gourmet-coffee-and-tea-troops-partnership-move-america-forward|title=Rogers Family Company donates gourmet coffee and tea to troops in partnership with Move America Forward|date=31 May 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref> Stag Arms partnered with the organization for the 2014 Troopathon in July.<ref name=tacticallife>{{cite web|url=http://www.tactical-life.com/news/stag-arms-helps-raise-funds-for-overseas-troops-during-troopathon-7/|title=Stag Arms Helps Raise Funds For Overseas Troops During Troopathon 7|date=31 July 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref>
Move America Forward's agenda is described by some in the press and public as beyond simple support of the troops to political support of the war. A 2006 ] article describes its actions as partisan and restricted to the political arena.<ref name="nonprofit">{{cite web
|url=http://lists.topica.com/lists/Solidarity4Ever@igc.topica.com/read/message.html?sort=t&mid=1720495232
|title=Iraq war backers proudly pugnacious
|first=Todd
|last=Milbourn
|work=
|date=2006-09-09}}
</ref> In 2007 an Oakland Tribune headline described Move America Forward as "Supporters of the Iraq War" and "a group that supports the war."<ref name=pro_war> Katherine Tam, CONTRA COSTA TIMES Oakland Tribune, March 8, 2007.</ref> ] describes Move America Forward as "part of a pro-war lobby." When asked about the seeming disparity between Move America Forward's mission of supporting the troops in America's war on terror and its history of advocating for the conservative policies and agenda set forth by the Bush Administration, Siobhan Guiney, Executive Director of MAF, stated: "He's our Commander in Chief. It's his policies in place (sic) have to support those policies."<ref name="Pac Views" />


In June 2015, Move America Forward hosted its 8th annual Troopathon fundraiser to help send care packages to American troops deployed in war zones overseas.<ref name=ammoland>{{cite web|url=http://www.ammoland.com/2015/06/8th-annual-troopathon-aims-to-send-care-packages-to-troops-overseas/#axzz3fKgFPk2p|title=8th Annual Troopathon Aims to Send Care Packages to Troops Overseas|date=June 20, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref> The organization raised over $280,000.<ref name=radioink>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioink.com/article.asp?id=2946527|title=Hosts Raise Funds for Military Charity|date=July 3, 2015}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> State Assemblyman Devon Mathis, Hulk Hogan, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Geraldo Rivera, Brian Kilmeade, Dennis Miller, Adam Corolla, Herman Cain, Ted Nugent, Jerry Bruckheimer, Joe Theismann, Tony Orlando, and Nancy Grace made appearances on the broadcast that year.<ref name=radioink/><ref name=ewrestlingnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/profiles/hulk-hogan|title=Hulk Hogan|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=411mania>{{cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-news-hulk-hogan-taking-part-in-troop-fundraiser-xavier-woods-plays-rock-band-4-at-e3-and-more/|title=WWE News: Hulk Hogan Taking Part in Troop Fundraiser, Xavier Woods Plays Rock Band 4 at E3, and More|date=June 21, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=recorderonline>{{cite web|url=http://www.recorderonline.com/news/mathis-to-appear-on-troopathon/article_3d7b4142-1c20-11e5-97d9-03cd0a37db35.html|title=Mathis to appear on Troopathon 8|date=25 June 2015 |accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref> Prior to the ] on July 16, 2015, Move America Forward advocated for more security at military recruiting centers.<ref name=cnn2>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1507/16/cnr.18.html|title=CNN Newsroom|date=July 16, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=news10>{{cite web|url=http://www.news10.net/story/news/local/sacramento/2015/07/17/sacramento-area-troops-react-to-chattanooga-shooting/30281415/|title=Sacramento-area troops react to Chattanooga shooting|date=July 16, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719005247/http://www.news10.net/story/news/local/sacramento/2015/07/17/sacramento-area-troops-react-to-chattanooga-shooting/30281415/|archive-date=July 19, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> After the shooting, the organization released a statement in support of lawmakers that wants to allow military recruiters to carry firearms.<ref name=armytimes>{{cite web|url=http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2015/07/17/hunter-military-recruiters-weapons/30291235/|title=Lawmaker wants to let military recruiters carry weapons|date=July 23, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=al>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/tennessee_republican_introduci.html|title=Tennessee Republican introducing bill to repeal military firearm ban: Do you agree?|date=July 17, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref>
MAF campaigns have extended beyond supporting the troops. Prominent Move America Forward campaigns have included the closing of the US-Mexico border (the MAF's "Secure Our Borders" campaign) and the ending of amnesty programs to illegal immigrants (through nomoreamnesty.com), support of ]—an outspoken critic of the United Nations—to serve as the US representative to the United Nations, and restricting the distribution of the ] film '']''. In ], Move America Forward sponsored a ''You don't speak for me, Cindy!'' tour to counter ]'s protest at President Bush's ], ranch (and the ]s in support of Sheehan that were held around the country). The organization also protested ] when he made a speech at ] in ], California and has protested against the ].


In 2016, Move America Forward partnered with the ] to send care packages to troops overseas to show support for those away from their families during the holiday season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/34174532/wounded-warrior-project-empowers-veterans-to-give-back |title=Wounded Warrior Project Empowers Veterans to Give Back |date=January 3, 2017 |publisher=WDRB |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113122443/http://www.wdrb.com/story/34174532/wounded-warrior-project-empowers-veterans-to-give-back |archive-date=2017-01-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wfmj.com/story/34174591/wounded-warrior-project-empowers-veterans-to-give-back |title=Wounded Warrior Project Empowers Veterans to Give Back |date=January 3, 2017 |publisher=WFMJ |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113135446/http://www.wfmj.com/story/34174591/wounded-warrior-project-empowers-veterans-to-give-back |archive-date=2017-01-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In August 2005 Move America Forward's <cite>"You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy!"</cite> campaign countering the protest of ] sparked much press coverage. Observers and the press have noted that some pro-Bush activists in the MAF entourage were aggressively confrontational and verbally abusive, calling the anti-war protesters "]", and saying they are "aiding and abetting the enemy".<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/08/25/news/top_stories/21_12_198_24_05.txt
|title=War protesters face off with war supporters
|date=2005-08-24
|last=Bennett
|first=William
|work=}}
</ref>


Move America Forward received a 2 out of 4 star rating from Charity Navigator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12342#.VjkXPK6rSt9|title=Move America Forward|publisher=Charity Navigator|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}</ref> Guidestar rated the organization as a Platinum Participant.<ref name=guidestar>{{cite web|url=http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/84-1627277/move-america-forward.aspx|title=Move America Forward|accessdate=3 November 2014}}</ref>
In April 2006 controversy erupted again when Kaloogian's campaign website posted a picture on his website that he claimed depicted a peaceful Baghdad neighborhood, and the claims that the Iraq conflict was going well. Quickly, however, internet watchdogs correctly identified the picture as coming from Istanbul, Turkey, and the picture was removed. Kaloogian later said using the photo was "a stupid mistake".<ref name="SF Chronicle">{{cite web
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/30/BAGD9I0HQP1.DTL
|title=Candidate admits 'stupid' Web error
|last=Marinucci
|first=Carla
|work=
|date=2006-03-30}}</ref>


==Policies and programs==
==Press questions nonprofit status==
]
Malcolm Maclachlan wrote in the Capitol Weekly that Move America Forward "has been criticized for running such advocacy ads while maintaining a ] nonprofit tax status. However, several political watchdogs noted that the group adheres to the letter of the law. For instance, the group does not give to candidates or directly call for people to vote for anyone."<ref name="CW618" />
The organization annually hosts "Troopathon", an 8-hour live online broadcast that it says it uses to help send packages to American troops.<ref name=propublica/> The fundraiser hosts movie stars, TV personalities, elected officials, professional athletes, musicians, talk radio hosts and many other supporters.<ref name=ammoland/>


In a partnership with the ], Move America Forward introduced a program where soldiers would receive specially wrapped 2 oz. bags of jelly bellies to use as gift to the native people they were in contact on a daily basis with.<ref name=freenews>{{cite web|url=http://www.freenewspos.com/news/article/c/1476084/today/exposures-i-care-gifts-bring-comfort-help-troops-make-friends|title=Exposures: I Care: Gifts bring comfort, help troops make friends|accessdate=1 November 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101202942/http://www.freenewspos.com/news/article/c/1476084/today/exposures-i-care-gifts-bring-comfort-help-troops-make-friends|archivedate=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=veooz>{{cite web|url=http://www.veooz.com/news/mH6hHY2.html|title=Exposures: I Care: Gifts bring comfort, help troops make friends|accessdate=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102010354/http://www.veooz.com/news/mH6hHY2.html|archive-date=2014-11-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each specially marked package displays these words in English, Arabic, and ]: "A gift from the America People in hope that your country will one day enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we have in the United States."<ref name=freenews/><ref name=veooz/>
On September 9, 2006 the ] ran an article detailing a number of issues with Move American Forward's activities that might affect its nonprofit status.<ref name="nonprofit"/> Chief among these were concerns public donations to MAF may be indirectly or directly subsidizing partisan activity prohibited nonprofit organizations by law. Milbourn cited as evidence the statement by Melanie Morgan that the Bush administration is running "one of the most inept communications departments I've seen. ... That's one of the reasons we started Move America Forward ... This administration is unable to articulate clearly why we went to Iraq, why we are there and why we're winning the war."<ref name="nonprofit"/> He also noted that Move America Forward shares its office with Russo's PR firm, that one of Russo's private clients is the government of ] in northern Iraq and that his firm is running a campaign encouraging investment there. Milbourn says the ] has questioned whether the contract poses a conflict for Russo, given Move America Forward's promotion of the war.<ref name="nonprofit"/> Russo is also director of the 'The Campaign Store, Inc.' which provides for a fee the processing of packages to troops and the accounting of contributions received. <ref name="guidestar.org"></ref>


==Controversy==
In its 2007 IRS filing Move America Forward says it has not "attempted to influence national, state, or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislation matter or referendum."<ref name="guidestar.org"/>
In 2014, ] released a report accusing Move America Forward of giving a percentage of its donations to for-profit companies run by people affiliated with Tea Party Express.<ref name=propublica>{{cite web|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/pro-troop-charity-misleads-donors-while-lining-political-consultants-pocket|title=Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants' Pockets|date=5 August 2014|author=Kim Barker|accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=slate>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/08/05/the_pro_troop_charity_that_happens_to_give_millions_of_dollars_to_tea_party.html|title=The Pro-Troop Charity That Happens to Give Millions of Dollars to "Tea Party" Consultants|author=David Weigel|date=5 August 2014 |accessdate=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=hotair/>

==National and political views==

Move America Forward has referred to those politicians who wish to pull all troops out of Iraq as "cheese-eating surrender monkey". The organization later stated that the term was also intended as an insult to France.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55764
|title='Surrender monkeys' protest Pelosi, Reid (Move America Forward ridicules Pelosi)
|date=2007-05-18}}</ref>

Move America Forward's leader Melanie Morgan and her supporters regularly characterize those who challenge them or oppose the war as "communists" or "far-left". She also regularly invokes ] — despite Move America Forward's stated aim of "restrict liberal and activist media".<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55298
|title=Shooting at the truth
|last=Morgan
|first=Melanie
|date=2007-05-20}}</ref> After having appeared once, Producers for ]'s '']'' claimed she would never be on the program again.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=123284
|title=Right-wing talker Morgan isn't welcome back on "NewsHour"
|last=Romenesko
|first=Jim
|work=Poynter Online
|date=2007-05-17}}</ref>.

==Funding==
For 2006 Move America Forward had raised about $1.2 million, mostly from small, undisclosed donors, according to Russo. Most of the money, $693,456, had been spent on television and radio spots and rallies, tax records show. About $113,000 funded programs directly benefiting soldiers, such as mailing them cookies, coffee and beef jerky.<ref name="nonprofit"/> It reported nearly 1.38 million in gross receipts in 2007.<ref name="guidestar.org"/>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
<references/>


==External links== ==External links==
*{{Official website}}
*
*
* SFChronical, 16 June 2004
* Pacific Views 16 June 2004
*
* Tanya I. Garcia. Right Web. 20 April 2005
* Article reporting how Russo Marsh & Rogers is related to Move America Forward and does PR for the Kurdistan Regional Government, at MediaTransparency.org


] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 16:00, 11 June 2024

Move America Forward
Formation2004
FoundersSal Russo, Howard Kaloogian, Melanie Morgan
TypeNonprofit
PurposeSupport United States Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan
HeadquartersSacramento, California
Websitewww.moveamericaforward.org

Move America Forward is a nonprofit military charity based in Sacramento, California. Howard Kaloogian, Melanie Morgan and Sal Russo established the organization in 2004. The organization supports front-line United States Armed Forces troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. On March 20, 2024, the charity announced it was changing its name to Troopathon, after the annual fundraising event that it holds.

History

Move America Forward volunteers sorting materials to put in care packages.

Sal Russo, Melanie Morgan and Howard Kaloogian formed Move America Forward in 2004.

In 2005, the organization took its first trip to Iraq called Voices of Soldiers tour. Soldiers were interviewed to share their stories in the success in the fight against terrorism during the trip. That August, Move America Forward sponsored a You don't speak for me, Cindy! tour to counter Cindy Sheehan's protest at President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch and the vigils held in her support. The following year, Move America Forward sponsored Trip Gold Star, the organization's second trip to Iraq. The trip to Kurdistan, including Gold Star Moms, was for the parents of fallen American soldiers to see where their sons and daughters made the ultimate sacrifice. That year, the organization introduced its Care package for the troops program. The program sends care packages including coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, and other requested items to troops year around.

Move America Forward held its first "Honoring our Heroes at the Holidays" national bus tour in 2007. The tour traveled to over 40 cities in the United States and collected over 200,000 Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday cards for American troops. That year, a third trip to Iraq was led by spokeswoman Debbie Lee. The Move America Forward delegation visited troops in Ramadi, at Camp Marc Lee named after Debbie Lee's son, the first Navy SEAL to be killed in the war in Iraq. In 2008, Move America Forward sent a delegation to Guantanamo Bay to thank troops for their service. The trip was organized by Kylie Williams, the official ambassador for veterans' advocacy for the State of Florida. The second Honoring our Heroes at the Holidays national bus tour collected over 200,000 cards that year. That year, Move America Forward hosted the first Troopathon, an online fundraiser, to raise money to send care packages to troops.

K9 Care Packages, a program to support military working dogs and their handlers, was launched by the organization in October 2011. Move America Forward was named "Top-rated Nonprofit" by Great Nonprofits in 2014 and 2015. That March, the Rogers Family Company donated coffee and tea to Move America Forward for troops. Stag Arms partnered with the organization for the 2014 Troopathon in July.

In June 2015, Move America Forward hosted its 8th annual Troopathon fundraiser to help send care packages to American troops deployed in war zones overseas. The organization raised over $280,000. State Assemblyman Devon Mathis, Hulk Hogan, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Geraldo Rivera, Brian Kilmeade, Dennis Miller, Adam Corolla, Herman Cain, Ted Nugent, Jerry Bruckheimer, Joe Theismann, Tony Orlando, and Nancy Grace made appearances on the broadcast that year. Prior to the 2015 Chattanooga shootings on July 16, 2015, Move America Forward advocated for more security at military recruiting centers. After the shooting, the organization released a statement in support of lawmakers that wants to allow military recruiters to carry firearms.

In 2016, Move America Forward partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to send care packages to troops overseas to show support for those away from their families during the holiday season.

Move America Forward received a 2 out of 4 star rating from Charity Navigator. Guidestar rated the organization as a Platinum Participant.

Policies and programs

Care packages ready for shipping.

The organization annually hosts "Troopathon", an 8-hour live online broadcast that it says it uses to help send packages to American troops. The fundraiser hosts movie stars, TV personalities, elected officials, professional athletes, musicians, talk radio hosts and many other supporters.

In a partnership with the Jelly Belly Company, Move America Forward introduced a program where soldiers would receive specially wrapped 2 oz. bags of jelly bellies to use as gift to the native people they were in contact on a daily basis with. Each specially marked package displays these words in English, Arabic, and Pashto language: "A gift from the America People in hope that your country will one day enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we have in the United States."

Controversy

In 2014, ProPublica released a report accusing Move America Forward of giving a percentage of its donations to for-profit companies run by people affiliated with Tea Party Express.

References

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  29. "Lawmaker wants to let military recruiters carry weapons". July 23, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  30. "Tennessee Republican introducing bill to repeal military firearm ban: Do you agree?". July 17, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  31. "Wounded Warrior Project Empowers Veterans to Give Back". WDRB. January 3, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  32. "Wounded Warrior Project Empowers Veterans to Give Back". WFMJ. January 3, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
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  36. ^ "Exposures: I Care: Gifts bring comfort, help troops make friends". Archived from the original on 2014-11-02. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  37. David Weigel (5 August 2014). "The Pro-Troop Charity That Happens to Give Millions of Dollars to "Tea Party" Consultants". Retrieved 1 November 2014.

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