thedrifter
07-04-06, 07:25 AM
"Desert Mail Call" sends care packages to local Marines
By Jeff Stahl
NewsChannel 3
On this day before Independence Day, the men and women serving in our armed forces remain overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. This as we head into the year's hottest months and the need for things from home to make life better for them remains. We have an update on one such program in Twentynine Palms that continues to provide some home comforts for our deployed Marines year round.
Heather Fiske heads the Desert Mail Call program. During the holidays, and year round in the summertime, she works to provide a few "home comforts" to Twentynine Palms-based Marines who are often nowhere near a store when they're deployed overseas.
"Right now what we need, guys love phone cards. Any amount of minutes or time."
Phone cards are just a few of the things Marines like, especially now that the weather is heating up in Iraq, sometimes hotter than here at home.
Here are some of the other biggies, eye drops, sun screen, foot powder, insect repellant wipes and double-A batteries are also popular summertime items and much-needed.
From a small storage room at the base's recreation hall, Desert Mail Call accepts the donations. Donated items are first separated and organized. Then once a month, volunteers pack up boxes to mail to deployed Marines.
This month, they're hoping to send out 20 to 30 boxes to Marines overseas. Once a label is slapped on, it'll take two-weeks to get to their destination and a Marine, eager to see what's inside.
"So these boxes, through this care package program, get to them and helps them out with the added things they need."
For Fiske, who often works up to 60-hours a week, this program has become something of a Labor of Love. But she's got so many letters of thanks to show for it.
"No sooner are the boxes open and they're empty."
"To be able to affect and support our Marines when they're not here, and when they're in danger's way. It's my way of supporting them in any way I can. That's important to me."
And appreciated by the Marines.
You can help, too. Send your donations to:
Desert Mail Call
PO Box 6145
Twentynine Palms, CA. 92278
or Call (760) 830-4767
The most needed items include--
International calling cards, wet wipes, sunscreen, chapstick, insect repellant wipes, eye drops...
Also--- shaving cream, razors, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, shampoos, soap, body wash, deoderant, feminine hygiene products, combs and brushes.
AA batteries, small travel games, small toys to share with children, letter writing materials, socks, green t-shirts, music CD's, DVD's, and Playstation 2 games.
Beef Jerky, trail mix, nuts, granola, hard candy, chewing gum.
Notes, letters, postcards, drawings.
Ellie
By Jeff Stahl
NewsChannel 3
On this day before Independence Day, the men and women serving in our armed forces remain overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. This as we head into the year's hottest months and the need for things from home to make life better for them remains. We have an update on one such program in Twentynine Palms that continues to provide some home comforts for our deployed Marines year round.
Heather Fiske heads the Desert Mail Call program. During the holidays, and year round in the summertime, she works to provide a few "home comforts" to Twentynine Palms-based Marines who are often nowhere near a store when they're deployed overseas.
"Right now what we need, guys love phone cards. Any amount of minutes or time."
Phone cards are just a few of the things Marines like, especially now that the weather is heating up in Iraq, sometimes hotter than here at home.
Here are some of the other biggies, eye drops, sun screen, foot powder, insect repellant wipes and double-A batteries are also popular summertime items and much-needed.
From a small storage room at the base's recreation hall, Desert Mail Call accepts the donations. Donated items are first separated and organized. Then once a month, volunteers pack up boxes to mail to deployed Marines.
This month, they're hoping to send out 20 to 30 boxes to Marines overseas. Once a label is slapped on, it'll take two-weeks to get to their destination and a Marine, eager to see what's inside.
"So these boxes, through this care package program, get to them and helps them out with the added things they need."
For Fiske, who often works up to 60-hours a week, this program has become something of a Labor of Love. But she's got so many letters of thanks to show for it.
"No sooner are the boxes open and they're empty."
"To be able to affect and support our Marines when they're not here, and when they're in danger's way. It's my way of supporting them in any way I can. That's important to me."
And appreciated by the Marines.
You can help, too. Send your donations to:
Desert Mail Call
PO Box 6145
Twentynine Palms, CA. 92278
or Call (760) 830-4767
The most needed items include--
International calling cards, wet wipes, sunscreen, chapstick, insect repellant wipes, eye drops...
Also--- shaving cream, razors, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, shampoos, soap, body wash, deoderant, feminine hygiene products, combs and brushes.
AA batteries, small travel games, small toys to share with children, letter writing materials, socks, green t-shirts, music CD's, DVD's, and Playstation 2 games.
Beef Jerky, trail mix, nuts, granola, hard candy, chewing gum.
Notes, letters, postcards, drawings.
Ellie