Caring people put troops first
When the temperature soars to above 120 degrees in Iraq this
summer, a bottle of moisturizer may be thought of as a godsend.
But the practical hands and organizational ability of a group of
Santa Ynez Valley people will be doing the actual purchasing, packing and
mailing of that moisturizer.
They call their organization Support the Troops, and they just
want to do something useful for U.S. armed forces abroad.
Pat Sullivan and Sonnie Linquist got together last week to check items
being readied for shipment to Iraq.
Placed on a table in Sullivan’s living room at Solvang’s High
Meadow Farm were hygiene products, packages of socks, deodorant, snacks —
items that most Americans take for granted.
Sullivan is the volunteer coordinator for the organization, which
has been mailing packages to troops for four years.
“It’s entirely volunteer,” she explained about Support the Troops.
“I’m ex-military, and I know what the women (in the armed forces)
need. Things like moisturizer.”
“But over there, men need it just as much.”
Sonnie Linquist’s husband, Bob, is treasurer for the organization,
which is soliciting funds and also more members.
“We need to raise more funds,” she said. “We want to have enough
to shop in bulk at Costco and Walmart.”
The need for moisturizing lotion is especially acute in
Afghanistan and Iraq. Temperatures in Iraq vary from below freezing in January
to higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit in summer.
And, as is traditional in combat situations, when the young men and
women aren’t engaged in combat or duty, they become bored.
Consequently, books, games and writing materials go into the boxes
along with snacks and toiletries.
In its promotional material, Support the Troops states that it
receives contributions from individuals and from churches, fraternal
organizations, social clubs and business groups.
Contributions
can be made by calling Pat Sullivan at (805) 688-8404, or by writing to SYV
Support the Troops, P.O. Box 683, Solvang, CA 93464.