VILSECK, Germany -- It may come as a surprise that 60 private organizations operate in the Tower and Rose Barracks communities alone. Add 15 more to Hohenfels and four to Garmisch and it might appear that we are overflowing with these groups.
Some private organizations, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Bavarian Community and Spouses Club and Bookoo, play visible roles in the garrison. Others, small nonprofit organizations, work within their nuclear communities to make a difference.
Two of these private organizations are the Cougar Foundation and the Saber Foundation.
The groups are similar in mission and service, working out of Rose Barracks to raise money and morale for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Instead of focusing on unit support, like a family readiness group, the foundations operate on a squadron level, effectively unifying unit support.
The Cougar Foundation, the larger of the two, started in 2008 to support the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Though participation lagged in prior years, the foundation has recently enjoyed a renaissance.
They have made their mark with events that reach out to the larger U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria community. Their Halloween Extravaganza -- a carnival with games, food, candy, music and costumes -- and Fright Nights -- a haunted house on post -- charge local Soldiers and families small fees to get in on the fun.
In the past, the group has used the money they raise to donate uniforms, spurs, money to FRGs and to send Soldiers to compete in a Tough Mudder competition.
"The purpose of the Cougar Foundation is also to boost morale. When new Soldiers arrive, they can pick up baskets they can take back to their hotels. We definitely want to continue this because it's a way we can feel useful," said Eleonore Surles, president of the Cougar Foundation.
The Saber Foundation, the nonprofit for 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, emphasizes esprit de corps, cavalry history and providing moral support for the families of fallen Soldiers.
"We want to do a lot of good for the guys, the wives and remembering the fallen Soldiers," said Saber Foundation Vice-President Melanie Wilhite.
Newer and smaller than the Cougar Foundation, the Sabers have so far kept their fundraisers local, though they plan to reach out to the entire garrison this year for their holiday ornament sale.
While both organizations aim to raise money, the leaders emphasize that every penny and more goes back to the squadrons.
"We have an FRG mentality so we function like an FRG," said Wilhite. "We're all volunteers. Any money we make goes back to the Soldiers. We actually draw out of our pockets to support the squadron. We do it because we like it. It brings the unit together. We're like a family."
Information about upcoming events with the Cougar Foundation, like the Halloween Extravaganza and Fright Nights, at their website: http://cougarfoundation.org/.
Information about the Saber Foundation can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SaberFoundation?ref=bookmarks.
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