Friday, April 11, 2008
Helping Soldiers with Care ... Packages
In order to get this up quickly, I will borrow wording from the city manager's report, which some readers probably get separately. The Army brigade that was officially adopted by Lakewood, the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, begins returning from Iraq next month after 15 months there.
The city is seeking your help in giving them some extremly simple comforts to come home to.
The 4-2 has about 2,000 “unaccompanied” soldiers, the technical term for soldiers that have no immediate family to come home to at Fort Lewis. As a simple gesture of “thanks,” the City, through Councilmember Helen McGovern, agreed to coordinate 2,000 care packages for these young warriors.
Citizens are asked to bring the packages (about the size of a shoebox) to any receptionist at City Hall. Arrangements can be made for pick up by calling 253-380-6720. Staff will coordinate transportation to the brigade’s rear detachment at Fort Lewis. The packages will then be placed in individual barracks rooms.
Suggested items:
Packaged crackers and cheese
Energy drinks, juice, bottled water, soda
Discount coupons to movies or for pizza
gift cards, calling cards
goodies-gum, candies, chips, granola bars, etc.
towel/washcloth
toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash
shampoo; deodorant; razor/shaving cream
bars of soap; foot cream
candles-they miss good smells
nail clippers/files
a personal note of “thanks”
Separate yet also sorta related: A citizen who has been seeking homes for animals, many of whom belonged to soldiers, is looking for help adopting them out. If you might be interested in helping, please call Melody at City Hall (253) 589-2489 for more information.
In case you are wondering, the item about the soldiers has sort of a complicated history. The person has helped hundreds of soldiers by taking their pets, but the person did not have a kennel license for their neighborhood. So the animals are being adopted, thanks in large part to her amazing efforts ... but folks are needed to take some more cats.
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The city is seeking your help in giving them some extremly simple comforts to come home to.
The 4-2 has about 2,000 “unaccompanied” soldiers, the technical term for soldiers that have no immediate family to come home to at Fort Lewis. As a simple gesture of “thanks,” the City, through Councilmember Helen McGovern, agreed to coordinate 2,000 care packages for these young warriors.
Citizens are asked to bring the packages (about the size of a shoebox) to any receptionist at City Hall. Arrangements can be made for pick up by calling 253-380-6720. Staff will coordinate transportation to the brigade’s rear detachment at Fort Lewis. The packages will then be placed in individual barracks rooms.
Suggested items:
Packaged crackers and cheese
Energy drinks, juice, bottled water, soda
Discount coupons to movies or for pizza
gift cards, calling cards
goodies-gum, candies, chips, granola bars, etc.
towel/washcloth
toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash
shampoo; deodorant; razor/shaving cream
bars of soap; foot cream
candles-they miss good smells
nail clippers/files
a personal note of “thanks”
Separate yet also sorta related: A citizen who has been seeking homes for animals, many of whom belonged to soldiers, is looking for help adopting them out. If you might be interested in helping, please call Melody at City Hall (253) 589-2489 for more information.
In case you are wondering, the item about the soldiers has sort of a complicated history. The person has helped hundreds of soldiers by taking their pets, but the person did not have a kennel license for their neighborhood. So the animals are being adopted, thanks in large part to her amazing efforts ... but folks are needed to take some more cats.
