DALLAS – MAY 16, 2011
More than 100,000 U.S. troops put their lives on the line every day in Afghanistan alone. That is why Steak Team Mission (STM), a privately-funded nonprofit organization composed of Dallas-based business leaders that provide food and supplies to U.S. Marines of the 2nd Marine Division (Forward) in Afghanistan, is cooking up its own support in a big way. Jeffrey W. Hellberg, Jr., secretary of STM and a partner of business law firm in Dallas, just completed his third trip as a volunteer to prepare and serve steak dinners to soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, serving up a record 1,900 steaks to troops in the Helmand Province.
Hellberg, along with nine other volunteers led by former Dallas restaurateur and STM founder, Harvey Gough, braved long flights, little sleep and dangerous conditions in an effort to bring a taste of home cooking to soldiers stationed in Forward Operating Base Leatherneck and other FOB and patrol bases during the nine-day mission, which ended April 19.
“We divided up into three groups to serve baked beans, cole slaw, and cornbread along with a freshly grilled steak, cooked to order by one of our volunteers,” said Hellberg. “In five days, we used 2,500 pounds of food to feed the troops in six camps scattered along the enemy front lines. This effort to bring a bit of home cooking to the troops, along with some well-deserved down time, is something the troops really look forward to, and is the reason STM volunteers keep going back.”
In addition to Gough and Hellberg, the other volunteers that participated in the Afghanistan mission included: Judge John Roach of Collin County, Tony Booth, Justin Bower, Terry Castle, Martin Faust, Hiram Holloman, Derik Kennedy, Ralph Perkuhn and David Sussan.
Since 2002, STM has organized 11 missions and served more than 31,000 meals to service members at various military bases around the world, prior to making the Afghanistan trip. The U.S. Military determines the time, date and location of each trip, and this was the first time in the organization’s nine-year history that STM was called on to specifically serve Marines in such a hazardous and primitive location.
“This was Jeff’s third trip for Steak Team Mission overseas, and he has also volunteered time in several domestic locations,” said Bryan Wick, founding partner of . “Our firm’s culture has always supported community involvement, and this has become a calling for Jeff that has had tremendous impact on the soldiers it serves. As the secretary and a volunteer cook for STM, Jeff has given countless hours to this cause, and we are proud to support an effort that demonstrates so much good will and appreciation for our troops.”
A leading business law firm with offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, , Wick Phillips provides a full spectrum of legal services. Jeff Hellberg is a partner in the litigation division of the firm, and is the head of the appellate section. He specializes in civil appeals, commercial litigation, arbitrations, creditors’ rights, probate issues, real estate and banking law.
About Wick Phillips: Wick Phillips is a full service business law firm with offices in Dallas and Fort Worth. Its transactional section handles multiple M&A, financing, real estate, private equity and other commercial matters for a variety of clients. For more information visit www.wickphillips.com.
