thedrifter
06-09-07, 05:03 PM
7-year-old launches group to support troops
By Julie Becker - Beloit Daily News via AP
Posted : Saturday Jun 9, 2007 12:28:41 EDT
JANESVILLE, Wis. — It’s never too soon to start thinking about how to assist wounded U.S. soldiers and other military personnel — at least that’s how a 7-year-old Janesville girl feels.
Katherine Toebes launched a campaign recently called DVDs 4 Soldiers, which aims to collect 50,000 DVDs for wounded American soldiers, both stationed in Iraq or recuperating in Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the nation.
“I was watching some show that other kids were doing stuff for soldiers,” Katherine explained of how she got the idea for the project, adding that her love of movies prompted her to choose DVDs as the gift of choice.
Denise Toebes, Katherine’s mother, said the idea was also part of a lesson for her daughter, who is home schooled, on helping other people.
Although the family does have military members in the family, none of them are active right now, she added.
Even though the campaign is just beginning, Katherine set a two-year mark to reach her ambitious goal Katherine said she is excited to see the DVDs coming in already.
So far she has received nearly 50 movies, mostly from friends of the family, and Denise said the family is pleased with the response.
“I’m actually surprised at the response. I didn’t think she was going to reach her goal in the beginning, and she’s already had a lot come in,” she said.
Rather than limiting the program to her area, Katherine is attempting to reach out to the nation. Denise sent information about the program to recruiting offices and military forums throughout the nation.
As the movies start coming in, Katherine will send them by 100-count packages to all VA hospitals that have the capacity to receive them, as well as to a chaplain stationed in Iraq.
Denise said her daughter means business, and when it comes to getting things done, Katherine has everything planned out.
“She puts everybody to work; she’s the worst boss ever,” Denise joked, adding that the attention the project has drawn may have made Katherine even more devoted to her efforts.
“She thinks she’s a celebrity now,” she laughed.
To contribute to Katherine’s cause, send DVDs, new and used, to:
Katherine Toebes, DVDs 4 Soldiers, P.O. Box 3585, Janesville, WI, 53547-3585. For more information, contact the Toebes family at (60 563-1016.
Ellie
By Julie Becker - Beloit Daily News via AP
Posted : Saturday Jun 9, 2007 12:28:41 EDT
JANESVILLE, Wis. — It’s never too soon to start thinking about how to assist wounded U.S. soldiers and other military personnel — at least that’s how a 7-year-old Janesville girl feels.
Katherine Toebes launched a campaign recently called DVDs 4 Soldiers, which aims to collect 50,000 DVDs for wounded American soldiers, both stationed in Iraq or recuperating in Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the nation.
“I was watching some show that other kids were doing stuff for soldiers,” Katherine explained of how she got the idea for the project, adding that her love of movies prompted her to choose DVDs as the gift of choice.
Denise Toebes, Katherine’s mother, said the idea was also part of a lesson for her daughter, who is home schooled, on helping other people.
Although the family does have military members in the family, none of them are active right now, she added.
Even though the campaign is just beginning, Katherine set a two-year mark to reach her ambitious goal Katherine said she is excited to see the DVDs coming in already.
So far she has received nearly 50 movies, mostly from friends of the family, and Denise said the family is pleased with the response.
“I’m actually surprised at the response. I didn’t think she was going to reach her goal in the beginning, and she’s already had a lot come in,” she said.
Rather than limiting the program to her area, Katherine is attempting to reach out to the nation. Denise sent information about the program to recruiting offices and military forums throughout the nation.
As the movies start coming in, Katherine will send them by 100-count packages to all VA hospitals that have the capacity to receive them, as well as to a chaplain stationed in Iraq.
Denise said her daughter means business, and when it comes to getting things done, Katherine has everything planned out.
“She puts everybody to work; she’s the worst boss ever,” Denise joked, adding that the attention the project has drawn may have made Katherine even more devoted to her efforts.
“She thinks she’s a celebrity now,” she laughed.
To contribute to Katherine’s cause, send DVDs, new and used, to:
Katherine Toebes, DVDs 4 Soldiers, P.O. Box 3585, Janesville, WI, 53547-3585. For more information, contact the Toebes family at (60 563-1016.
Ellie