yellowwing
09-22-06, 06:08 AM
Moms team up with Marines
By Patrick Lair
For the Gazette-Times (http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2006/09/20/news/community/4loc13marines.txt)
September 19, 2006
LEBANON — Who says local moms can’t help fight the war on terror?
Anita Allen of Lebanon and a group called the Marine Corps Moms are coordinating efforts to raise money for “Christmas in a Box,” a program that delivers Christmas gifts to Marines deployed overseas.
Allen said she was touched to receive a bouquet of roses on Mother’s Day from a Marine in a combat zone with whom she began corresponding after signing up to send him care packages.
“For some of these young patriots it will be their first holiday season away from family and friends. For others, it is the second or third deployment to the war zone,” Allen said. “It’s important to let them know the people back home support them.”
The fund-raiser is part of a nationwide effort organized by the Marine Corps Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
The group provided several thousand care packages nationally in 2004, and then around 12,000 in 2005, Allen said.
This year, they are seeking donations of gifts, food, hygiene items, fabric, money or help with the sewing of stockings.
“There are a number of ways people can help if they want to,” Allen said.
Donation boxes will be set up in Lebanon at Curves for Women, 744 Main St.; Linn-Co Federal Credit Union, 485 Second St.; and Washington Mutual Bank, 75 E. Grant St.
If groups such as churches, union locals or service clubs wish to get involved, they can sponsor an entire platoon, Allen said. A list with each Marine’s name and address along with appropriate items would be provided.
Kandi Heath of Lebanon is coordinating the sewing of Christmas stockings and is seeking donations of felt and fabric. Christmas patterns and white felt work best, she said, but she’s accepting any fabric.
“I just wanted to do something for these service men and women because they’re over there doing so much for us,” Heath said.
Anyone who wants to donate to the effort can contact Allen at 258-8239 or, for more information, go to marinecorpsfamilyfoundation.org and click on “Operation Santa.”
Those who want to donate fabric or help cut and sew stockings can contact Heath at 258-7874 or 401-0135.
By Patrick Lair
For the Gazette-Times (http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2006/09/20/news/community/4loc13marines.txt)
September 19, 2006
LEBANON — Who says local moms can’t help fight the war on terror?
Anita Allen of Lebanon and a group called the Marine Corps Moms are coordinating efforts to raise money for “Christmas in a Box,” a program that delivers Christmas gifts to Marines deployed overseas.
Allen said she was touched to receive a bouquet of roses on Mother’s Day from a Marine in a combat zone with whom she began corresponding after signing up to send him care packages.
“For some of these young patriots it will be their first holiday season away from family and friends. For others, it is the second or third deployment to the war zone,” Allen said. “It’s important to let them know the people back home support them.”
The fund-raiser is part of a nationwide effort organized by the Marine Corps Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
The group provided several thousand care packages nationally in 2004, and then around 12,000 in 2005, Allen said.
This year, they are seeking donations of gifts, food, hygiene items, fabric, money or help with the sewing of stockings.
“There are a number of ways people can help if they want to,” Allen said.
Donation boxes will be set up in Lebanon at Curves for Women, 744 Main St.; Linn-Co Federal Credit Union, 485 Second St.; and Washington Mutual Bank, 75 E. Grant St.
If groups such as churches, union locals or service clubs wish to get involved, they can sponsor an entire platoon, Allen said. A list with each Marine’s name and address along with appropriate items would be provided.
Kandi Heath of Lebanon is coordinating the sewing of Christmas stockings and is seeking donations of felt and fabric. Christmas patterns and white felt work best, she said, but she’s accepting any fabric.
“I just wanted to do something for these service men and women because they’re over there doing so much for us,” Heath said.
Anyone who wants to donate to the effort can contact Allen at 258-8239 or, for more information, go to marinecorpsfamilyfoundation.org and click on “Operation Santa.”
Those who want to donate fabric or help cut and sew stockings can contact Heath at 258-7874 or 401-0135.