Troops still remembered with boxes from home
Garage Sale set to raise money
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

"Would it help if I give you my toys to sell?" A simple question with a genuine desire to help send boxes to troops has given new life to a group already involved in helping military troops receive packages from home.

Operation: Support Our Troops is busy at work sending boxes full of goodies from home to those who are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Linda Baker of Pierceville, who heads up the group, was thinking of ways to raise money to pay for postage to send boxes to troops. Her 8-year-old son Travis, gave her the idea for a garage sale when he asked if he could contribute to the cause by selling his toys.

"It really makes you think," she noted, saying when he was willing to give up something she began to think about things she could give up as well. As it goes, the thing has snowballed, and others are becoming involved in the effort.

Dates have been set (March 9,10,11,12) for a garage sale to be held at (4127 N. CR 450 E.) behind Pierceville Post Office and S&J Variety Store on 350. A Bake Sale will also be held during this time.

Anyone interested in donating gently used items (no clothing) that are in good shape may do so by calling Baker at 654-3461. All the proceeds from this event will go to Operation: Support Our Troops to buy items to send and for postage. "The postage is very costly," noted Baker, who said it takes between $15-18 to send a box to an east coast address and between $32-35 to send a box to a west coast address. "We really don't have a choice, it's just wherever the particular soldier is stationed out of," noted Baker. The boxes are sent to military personnel in the war zone and at the present time Baker reports there are about 11 soldiers they are sending boxes to.

The group also has available Freedom Wrist Bands for a $3.00 donation, with all proceeds going toward the effort. The bands read, "Please band together to support our troops."

Others who are in the group include Patty Terrill of Aurora; Dave and Linda Teke of Greendale; Julie Robinson of Milan; and Dawn Carlisle of Lawrenceburg.

Everyone is invited to help with the effort. "Churches and organizations such as girl and/or boy scouts are welcome," noted Baker, adding, "We can use any help."

The newly formed group has a goal of sending boxes with needed items to give the "troops a touch of home" who are stationed in an extremely dangerous environment. Some items they can send include: Pringles, pop tarts, breakfast bars, boxed snacks, bags of hard candy, gum, hot chocolate packages, Easy Mac & Cheese, pre-sweetened Kool-Aid or Countrytime Lemonade, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, beef jerky, microwave popcorn, disposable cameras, batteries, pens, pads of pa
per, envelopes, sunglasses, and chap stick. For the complete list, you can check with Baker.

Those buying the items to send are encouraged to "think small and lightweight." Religious materials, pork, glass and aerosol cans are not permitted.

Whether you can help by donating items, even baked goods, to the upcoming sale, buying items to put in boxes, giving cash for postage, or attending the garage sale to purchase something, everything is welcome,
according to Baker, who just wants to let our troops know they are supported until every one of them comes home.

For more information about Operation: Support Our Troops, contact Baker or mail cash donations to: 4127 N. CR 450 E., Milan, IN 47031.