Expanded role for state military care initiative

The state's Military Family Care Initiative, started by Frist Lady Mary Pawlenty, is expected to expand and, with the Pawlenty's leaving office, be run by the National Guard's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. In addition to community-based organizations volunteering their time and services, businesses will now be able to register services and discounts intended to benefit military families, according to an announcement this morning. The First Lady's Military Family Care Initiative can now be found at www.militaryfamilies.state.mn.us, or a link on www.beyondtheyellowribbon.org. The website will remain an electronic database for military families to locate and contact registered organizations, and now businesses, within their community who offer services to military families. Any community or faith-based organization can sign up through the website. The National Guard's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon staff will oversee the initiative and the addition of business services and discounts for military families.