Melaleuca Foundation Honors National Guard Soldiers at Appreciation Ball

Melaleuca has long believed that the safety and security Americans enjoy comes at a tremendous price. We are protected by men and women who are willing to serve, sacrifice and stand guard for others.

That belief has helped shape the Melaleuca Foundation’s Honoring Heroes pillar for decades. It is reflected in sending comfort kits to soldiers overseas, repairing and providing power wheelchairs for veterans, and supporting military families in need.

Melaleuca has also received the Seven Seals Award from the Department of Defense for meritorious support of the National Guard and Reserve, and leads Melaleuca Freedom Celebration each Fourth of July.

An Evening to Remember Honoring Soldiers and Families

Most recently, that same commitment brought the Melaleuca Foundation to the Heroes Defense 2026 Field Artillery Appreciation Ball, which honored 430 soldiers of the Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st-148th Field Artillery Battalion and their families.

Melaleuca’s connection to the battalion is also personal. Frank VanderSloot, Melaleuca’s Executive Chairman, previously served a one-year honorary commander role with the 1st-148th Field Artillery Battalion, reflecting his respect for the soldiers and families who serve.

Through its sponsorship, the Melaleuca Foundation helped cover costs so soldiers and their families could spend the evening being honored rather than worrying about the expense of attending. Thanks to Melaleuca and their sponsors, they attended at no cost to them.

Heroes Defense, a nonprofit dedicated to rallying community support for America’s military, organized the ball as a chance for soldiers and their families to gather while the community expressed its gratitude to the men and women who serve.

For the soldiers and families in attendance, the evening was more than a formal gathering. It was a reminder that their service is seen, valued and appreciated.

Gratitude From Those Who Serve

In a letter signed by Commander Sean Blacker and Command Sergeant Major Robert Earley, the battalion shared what that community support meant.

“Seeing sponsors like you come together under the Heroes Defense banner to take on the financial costs of our annual ball has emboldened our faith in the local community and revitalized our desire to continue serving in the Idaho Army National Guard,” they wrote.

Heroes Defense also presented Melaleuca with an award recognizing the Foundation’s support. The award was inscribed with the words, “Your generosity made possible an evening of recognition for the soldiers of the 1st-148th Field Artillery and their families, gathered together in honor of their service.”

For the Melaleuca Foundation, honoring service members and their families is one way to express gratitude for freedoms that can too easily be taken for granted.

We are proud to stand with the people who stand guard for all of us.