Lockport woman attempts to raise money to visit daughter in Navy

Originally published April 20, 2017

“Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” will be held April 27.

This year’s theme is “Count on Me.” More than just a career day, this initiative gives workers the opportunity to show their children what they do at work when they are not at home. It fosters good relationships and greater understanding of what parents “do” when they are at work.

But what if you had the opportunity to visit your child at work — and what if that child’s job was on a ship in the United States’ Navy? Would you go?

Julie Hoffman, of Lockport, a proud mother of three children (all in the military), has been given the opportunity to join her daughter on a Tiger Cruise. These events are organized for friends and family (usually not spouses or fiancés) to accompany the person serving in the military.

The U.S. Navy website describes a Tiger Cruise as “The occasional embarkation of family members of Naval personnel (which) is intended to contribute to good morale and instill in service members, a sense of pride in the Navy, and their ships. It also enhances public understanding of the Navy and increases community awareness.”

Hoffman’s three children have all found the military as their career. Her oldest, a son, Kenn, served eight years in the U.S. Marines, including a tour to Afghanistan (when it was “hot”), as well as Japan, and the Philippines. He is finishing up his commitment and going on to another profession of law enforcement and will once again be serving others.

Her middle daughter, Olivia, received her associate’s degree and decided she needed more out of life so she decided to join the U.S. Navy. She is currently on her first deployment.

Her youngest child, a daughter, Hannah, dreamed of being a U.S. Marine since she was about age seven and is currently pursuing her dream.

Hoffman, who is a single mother, states, “It is by the grace of God that I was able to raise the three of them to be selfless, serving their country and their God. I am doing a GoFundMe so I may be able to visit my sailor, Olivia, for a week on a ship, after not having seen her for six months.”

Hoffman’s friend encouraged her to reach out to the community in an effort to achieve her goal to raise the funds necessary to be able to join her daughter. Fitting that this year’s theme for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is Count on Me — we count on our military to keep us safe.

Hoffman wants to raise $3,500 to cover airfare, hotel stay, and light meals for travel. More information can be found at: www.GoFundMe.com/GodBlessourMilitary. Any donation — no matter how big or small — will be truly appreciated.

To learn more about Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day and some of the activities and events planned for that day, visit: https://daughtersandsonstowork.org

Information about Tiger Cruises and the United States Navy can be found at: www.navy.mil.