Inspired by our visit to Fort Campbell, as part of the youth mission trip this past summer, our youth have adopted an Army platoon. As part of the “adoption,” we have agreed to write letters and send a care package once a month to help support our troops, and to let them know they are appreciated.
We would like to invite the congregation to be a part of this project. There are a few different ways you can help. You may write letters, donate items for the care packages, and of course, pray. Any donations and letters will be included in our monthly mailing. Items can be dropped off to Sara, in the church office, Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Chi-Rho and CYF will meet once a month to put together the packages, and to write letters. Any responses we get will be available for the congregation to read.
While we know many of you may have questions about our platoon, or where they are located, we are limited in the information we receive and are allowed to share. All contact information has to go through our point of contact, Sara Laroche. If you choose to write a letter, please address it as “Dear 1LT Moliga and soldiers.” Do NOT include your personal e-mail or mailing address in your letters. First Lieutenant Moliga is our point of contact for our platoon. We do know that our platoon is deployed anywhere from Hawaii to Afghanistan, and includes about 20 male soldiers. Our packages will be shared with the entire platoon.
Listed are a few suggestions of items we can send, and items that cannot be sent. In October, we will collect holiday items to send in the October package.
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES
Non-perishable healthy pocket snacks (nuts, seeds, power/protein/granola bars, dried fruits, jerky, short slim jims, trail mixes), drink mix singles, crackers, cheese, cookies, pot-top canned food, ready-to-eat meals, pop tarts, travel size hygiene products, baby/bath wipes, hand sanitizer gel/wipes, foot powder, nail clippers/files, shower shoes (inexpensive flip flops), and anything to help boost soldiers’ morale; lots of letters, mail, phone cards, current magazines/books, various card games, horseshoes, etc.
Cold weather needs: Clothing such as undershirts; winter boot socks in black, army green, or brown; black mittens or gloves; blankets; hand/foot warmers.
Fun items always appreciated: word find books, word puzzles, yoyo’s, football, Uno cards, frisbies, music CD’s, appropriate movies.
ITEMS NOT ALLOWED TO SHIP
We are not permitted to send pork products or by-products to a Muslim/Islamic country. Do Not send products in glass containers or aerosol cans; only prepackaged, unopened food items. NO homemade cookies! Pornography is not allowed in either print, film, DVD, or CD format. Religious material is NOT allowed. Boxes will be packed by the youth and mailed the following week.
Packing dates are Sunday, August 28; Sunday, September 18; Sunday, October16 (we will collect holiday items in October to be shipped with this package); Sunday, November 20; and Sunday, December 18.
