thedrifter
06-20-07, 05:13 AM
Library patrons give generously
PLAINFIELD
June 20, 2007
By JANET LUNDQUIST Staff Writer
PLAINFIELD -- A unit of Marines stationed in Iraq will receive a summertime treat, thanks to Plainfield Public Library patrons.
This spring the library hosted a collection of supplies that were donated through AdoptaPlatoon, an organization that matches groups looking to give with a similarly sized platoon.
Donations were taken in May and continued through June 9. Last week Reference Librarian Tina Beaird mailed off 21 boxes of donations to a 16-member Marine unit in Fallujah, with postage paid by The Herald News.
"It's just a way for us to give back for everything that they give for us," Beaird said. It is a good time of year to hold a collection for troops, as the anniversary of D-Day, the World War II invasion of Normandy, on June 6, Flag Day on June 14 and Independence Day on July 4 keep patriotism on people's minds, she said.
The library recently hosted a program on D-Day, with World War II veterans as invited guest speakers, and a Flag Day program where members of the American Legion taught children proper flag etiquette, including folding, proper care, display and disposal.
"This is a great way to remind people, hey, we still have troops that are fighting overseas," she said.
Most of the donations were items requested by troops -- sunblock, bug spray, aloe and other warm-weather items not as readily available in the winter.
The library held its first AdoptaPlatoon collection in December, which drew enough donations to adopt two platoons. It took weeks for library staff to mail the 97 boxes of donations.
Some items left over from the winter collection -- including a large dart board -- were shipped over with the recent collection, said Lisa Pappas, assistant library director.
"One reason we chose to do (a collection) now is because they're not getting as many packages this time of year," Pappas said.
"We want to spread the love throughout the year."
AdoptaPlatoon also offers ways to help individuals or families to adopt a soldier or support troops.
For more information, visit the Web site, www.adoptaplatoon.org.
Contact Janet Lundquist at (815) 729-6014 or jlundquist@scn1.com
Ellie
PLAINFIELD
June 20, 2007
By JANET LUNDQUIST Staff Writer
PLAINFIELD -- A unit of Marines stationed in Iraq will receive a summertime treat, thanks to Plainfield Public Library patrons.
This spring the library hosted a collection of supplies that were donated through AdoptaPlatoon, an organization that matches groups looking to give with a similarly sized platoon.
Donations were taken in May and continued through June 9. Last week Reference Librarian Tina Beaird mailed off 21 boxes of donations to a 16-member Marine unit in Fallujah, with postage paid by The Herald News.
"It's just a way for us to give back for everything that they give for us," Beaird said. It is a good time of year to hold a collection for troops, as the anniversary of D-Day, the World War II invasion of Normandy, on June 6, Flag Day on June 14 and Independence Day on July 4 keep patriotism on people's minds, she said.
The library recently hosted a program on D-Day, with World War II veterans as invited guest speakers, and a Flag Day program where members of the American Legion taught children proper flag etiquette, including folding, proper care, display and disposal.
"This is a great way to remind people, hey, we still have troops that are fighting overseas," she said.
Most of the donations were items requested by troops -- sunblock, bug spray, aloe and other warm-weather items not as readily available in the winter.
The library held its first AdoptaPlatoon collection in December, which drew enough donations to adopt two platoons. It took weeks for library staff to mail the 97 boxes of donations.
Some items left over from the winter collection -- including a large dart board -- were shipped over with the recent collection, said Lisa Pappas, assistant library director.
"One reason we chose to do (a collection) now is because they're not getting as many packages this time of year," Pappas said.
"We want to spread the love throughout the year."
AdoptaPlatoon also offers ways to help individuals or families to adopt a soldier or support troops.
For more information, visit the Web site, www.adoptaplatoon.org.
Contact Janet Lundquist at (815) 729-6014 or jlundquist@scn1.com
Ellie