What You Can Do To Help Soldiers

What can we do to help U.S. soldiers?

The war in Iraq has many people wondering just that. Although the battle is going on half a world away, there are still many things that can be done locally to support those who are fighting for our country.

Several area businesses and organizations are taking donations and sending care packages to troops overseas. The items being collected are ordinary things most people take for granted, such as toiletry items, cotton socks, deodorant, eye drops and gum.

One local business taking donations is Fiesta Hair And Tanning.

"Our company encourages community services," said Fiesta employee Angie Gerardot. "We actually have some clients from the armory who are now overseas, and we wanted to make a care package for them. Then we decided to extend it beyond people we knew personally.

"This was a good way to help our community and a good way to help our country."

So the staff at Fiesta decided to distribute fliers and take donations from the community to send to soldiers.

"The box is almost full," said Gerardot. "We contacted area schools and churches for donations. We have letters and postcards as well as many different items to send over there."

Another local business that is helping the cause is Lakeside Chevrolet.

"So far we have sent 84 boxes out," said Tammy Shepherd of Lakeside Chevrolet. "We have 39 more that we are going to send out Tuesday. We plan to keep on sending donations as long as we have enough donations to send them out. We have had a couple donations from local big companies that have helped us with postage."

Lakeside Chevrolet is accepting donations during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

While Lakeside Chevrolet is the main drop-off point, area American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts are collecting items to take to the dealership for delivery as well. People with donations may drop them off at the American Legion posts in Warsaw, Pierceton, North Webster and Syracuse or the Warsaw and Syracuse VFW posts.

Those interested in corresponding with soldiers but don't know how to get started may find help on the Internet. Several Web sites offer visitors the opportunity to adopt a soldier stationed overseas. A sample of an opening letter may be found at www.operationmilitarysupport.com/volunteerstart.htm

For more information about donating items locally, contact Shepherd at 269-1666. Cash donations may be mailed to Enduring Freedom Supporters of Indiana, P.O. Box 1769, Warsaw, IN 46581.