The Women?s Auxiliary of Brown and Lynch American Legion Post 9 in Palmer Township doesn?t stop or take a break from their charitable contributions after the holidays.
They continue year round with community involvement events and the ?Bring Home to the Troops? campaign.
The campaign is a project of continual shipments of requested items to troops serving in combat areas. Their last shipment in November consisted of 12 boxes of specific items requested by U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan. Two days after Christmas they were packing boxes for the next round to be sent.
Susan Merritt is the secretary for the Women?s Auxiliary. She said the group is more than just a social club.
?Everyone is working outward,? she said. ?We are very dedicated to the veterans, serving troops and to the community.?
She said the soldiers have even requested items to donate to their civilian neighbors in Afghan communities including warm clothes for the children during colder months. The auxiliary responded with snow suits, sweaters and jackets that they purchased from thrift stores in the Lehigh Valley.
The soldiers are grateful for the items sent for their use as well. Merritt recently received a letter back from one of the package recipients.
?It is so refreshing and motivating when we receive support from everyone back home,? the letter read. ?I can certainly tell you it can be stressful and challenging at times being over here, and although you may think you are making a small contribution by sending a package, it goes a very long way of supporting and maintaining the high morale amongst the troops.?
But while the women appreciate the thanks and to know they are making a difference, recognition is not their motivation. They see it as their duty.
Auxiliary president Sandra Lilly said when she took over her position with the goal of increasing community outreach, she didn?t realize the level of enthusiasm that would ensue.?
?Everything got bigger than what I expected,? Lilly said of the response to some of the programs she implemented. Merritt was on board with the push and pairs with Lilly frequently to execute programs and events.
Tuesday nights are crafting nights for the auxiliary where they put together packages, knit scarves and make blankets for the troops and community organizations in need of the items. She says some people even come out from the Legion bar to help them with various tasks.?If you build it, they will come,? added Merritt.
The auxiliary continues to fundraise for various overhead costs including package shipping. The last batch of packages cost the group approximately $400 for postage. Lilly said they will continue to assemble the packages and ship them to soldiers as funds and supplies allow. She said there is never a lack of determination.
?I can?t sit back and not do anything,? Lilly said. ?My mind goes 24/7.?
Over the holidays the group helped out at Safe Harbor and put on a Christmas party for the children of veterans and needy children in the community. They take trips to Gracedale and other nursing homes to laugh, play bingo and sing and dance with the veterans and other nursing home residents. The trips usually include Merritt and Lilly singing show and military tunes and providing comic relief.
?We put good in the world and look what fun we have,? Merritt said.
***
How can you help?
The following items are on the request list from troops. Bold items are the most often requested. Monetary donations are also accepted to help with shipping costs. Call 610-559-8838 for more information.
- Beef jerky
- Coffee, hot chocolate packets, herbal teas
- Instant drink mixes
- Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
- Tuna in foil pouches (no cans)
- Protein powders
- Hard pretzels, snack mixes, snack crackers
- Gum and hard candy (must be individually wrapped)
- Dry soup
- Nuts
- Microwave food - popcorn, macaroni and cheese, raviolis
- Cookies - especially Girl Scout cookies
- Cheese and cracker packs
- ***No chocolate items are accepted from March through October.
- Baby wipes (travel size)
- Liquid hand sanitizer (travel size)
- Body wash, liquid soap, facial cleanser
- Shampoo and conditioner (travel size)
- Hair gel
- Combs, brushes, bobby pins
- Eye drops
- Nasal spray
- Deodorant (travel size)
- Disposable razors
- Shaving cream or soap (in boxes or tubes, no cans)
- Breath mints, breath strips
- Batteries - mostly AA, AAA and C
- Small homemade gifts
- Pens and mechanical pencils
- Stationery and envelopes
- Double-sided tape
- Day planners, small pocket calendars
- Crossword puzzles, word search books, Sudoku books
- Poker chips, dice, dominoes
- Board games (Travel sizes work best)
- Nerf footballs, Wiffle balls, mitts
Source: http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r5688322728
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