Lynelle has always been involved with helping others which propelled her to earn a degree in Sociology from the University of Florida. She began her career as a social worker with the State of Florida. After several years, she switched gears into property management. In 2006, Lynelle retired to devote her time to the continued development of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach.
In 2003, Lynelle was in contact with a co-worker who had a son that was deployed to Iraq. This soldier and his squad members, were becoming tired and frustrated, longing for home. Lynelle started collecting items to send to them to lift their spirits and provide encouragement. Thus, from humble beginnings, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach was born. In March of 2004, after a profile segment on Good Morning America, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach became nationally known as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Lynelle resides in Port Saint Lucie, Florida with her husband and son.
Chris served 13 years in the Marine Corps with six combat deployments. He was medically retired in 2013 at the rank of E-6 Staff Sergeant due to combat injuries suffered from an IED blast in Afghanistan. As a recipient of many care packages while being deployed, Chris knows the impact and connection that a small box can make. He joined Forgotten Soldiers Outreach in 2015.
Chuck is a native Floridian and a Marine Corps veteran having served from 1972-1981. He has been an integral part of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach since 2004 and his son was one of the first to receive a care package from the organization.
Annelies has been involved with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach since 2005 and was appointed to the board in 2006. For over 20 years she has practiced law in Palm Beach County and surrounding areas. Annelies is active in many lineage societies where she has held local, state and national positions.
Sgt. Andrew Snow, Art’s son was another early recipient of the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach care packages. Believing in the organization’s mission, Art and his wife began volunteering in 2005. Art is the Director of Tennis at Via Mizner Golf and Country Club in Boca Raton., Florida.
Jay has been in South Florida since 2002 working for WPTV as a reporter and anchor. He has won multiple Associated Press awards and has received multiple nominations for Emmy awards. Jay has been involved with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach since 2004 and has served as a Director and as the Chairman of the Board.
Walter proudly served in the US Army Reserve for over eleven years. While deployed to Iraq for 14 months in 2004 and 2005, he was one of the first recipients on the Forgotten Soldiers care packages. Upon his return from active duty, he became involved with the organization as a volunteer, then became an Honorary Board Member, and officially became a Board Member in 2018. For over 24 years, Walter has worked in the electric utility and renewable energy industry. Previously working at NextEra Energy, Walter is now the Director of Operations and Maintenance for Deutche Windtechnik.
Mike Trim, US Navy Veteran and WPTV News Anchor. After graduating high school, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years aboard the USS McFaul as an Information Systems Technician. Mike deployed with the USS McFaul to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. He later graduated from Temple University with a broadcast journalism degree. He started his television career in 2005 in New York, and later Pennsylvania, and moved to South Florida and began working at WPTV in 2010. Mike has served as the Emcee since 2019 for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Annual Hero’s Toast Fundraiser, and has participated in packing events with his son, Braden.
A supporter of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach since 2006, Bill joined the Board of Directors in 2018. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and went on to serve in the United States Air Force as a pilot from 1970-1976. During that time, he was the recipient of numerous military awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, POW Medal and Bronze Star. Bill is a retired senior system engineer and is very active in the armed forces community.
Over the past 33 years, LeeAnne’s many roles at York Management & Research, an investment firm started by her father, have included portfolio record keeping, investor relations, partnership accounting, and investment research and analysis. In addition to working at York, LeeAnne is a Trustee of the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, a private organization started in 1992 by her father with an official mission to support local and national educational efforts in STEM, free enterprise, and entrepreneurship.
Kate’s work at the Science Center over the past 13 years has earned her such recognition and awards as South Florida Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award, Sun Sentinel’s Top Workplace Professional Award, Women of Worth Award winner, ESPN’s veteran of the month, and PBC Distinguished Alumni Award. Kate also received West Palm Beach’s Hometown Hero Award this past July 4th, 2022. This award recognizes the selfless efforts of community leaders and organizations for their boundless energy and devotion to the residents of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and the nation.
Traci L. Caicedo retired from the Florida Army National Guard after 32 years of service. She was deployed for Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and multiple state activations during hurricanes. She currently serves as the Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist at the Armory in West Palm Beach. As a former recipient of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Traci understands the value and importance of care packages for our deployed troops.
I was born and raised in New York and moved to Florida in 1979. I was an Elementary School teacher for 36 years. I taught in the classroom grades Pre-K Migrant children through 2nd grade for 15 years and then was a Reading Teacher K-5 and retired in 2021. I have a dog Paris and outside cats.
I saw a News Story about Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and immediately contacted them for information so my students could write letters. I knew that when I retired I wanted to come and volunteer. I have two nephews who have served, one Army and one Air Force.
Tara started her career working in community corrections as a probation officer and a child protective investigator. Recognizing the needs within the community, she switched gears and started life coaching for non-profit organizations which afforded many years of experience in the chemical dependency field as a substance abuse counselor. After being married to a veteran with PTSD, it was time to focus on her family and she switched to a finance career. In 2014, she started volunteering for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and ultimately became the Finance Manager.
Gina’s career has spanned over thirty years in emergency services and law enforcement. After retiring in 2013 as a Captain, she began volunteering with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. The organization’s mission resonated with her as her nephew had served with the Navy in Iraq. Gina is the Social Media Coordinator.