thedrifter
01-05-08, 06:51 AM
Ex-Marines embark on a mission of caring
Volunteers send care packages of snacks, reading material and other goodies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
By Paul Thissen
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 01/05/2008 03:02:33 AM PST
By Paul Thissen
STAFF WRITER
Jack de Leeuw didn't get care packages when he served in World War II, but he and his fellow Marines would have loved it if they did.
"If you'd gotten not only just a letter, but my Lord, a box full of stuff that is not available anywhere, it would have been enormously appreciated," said de Leeuw, a Walnut Creek resident.
He has joined fellow ex-Marines and other volunteers in putting together care packages for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since they started in mid-2004, the volunteers have sent about 40,000 pounds of snacks, reading material, hygiene products and other goodies.
The volunteers get together about once a month at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial to pack boxes. Most are members of the Marine Corps League, an organization of former and active Marines.
John Wintersteen, a Danville resident who works at the memorial, organizes the shipments. He started the project in the spring of 2004, pushed to action by the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Crowley of San Ramon.
"I just decided we had to do something," he said.
The next day he received an e-mail out of the blue with addresses of soldiers in Iraq who wanted care packages. He gathered supplies and volunteers and packed his first boxes to ship overseas.
"It really doesn't matter what's in the box," Wintersteen said. "Just the fact that somebody gives a darn means a lot to them."
The group sends packages to all the military branches, but most go to Marines. Friends, relatives and acquaintances provide addresses. Some come from a Web site that lists soldiers who want packages, http://www.anysoldier.com.
He finds volunteers and donors by sending out e-mail updates with letters of thanks from troops who received boxes.
"Thank you for the snacks," wrote one Marine, named Zach. "It becomes a booster of everyone's morale, and it provides a temporary escape from all the hardships we encounter while in Iraq."
His recipient list has 750 names; some of them forward the message to about 4,000 more, he said.
"I really believe that people want to do something, but they don't know what to do or how to do it," Wintersteen said. "This gets them going."
He's never had a shortage of volunteers, he said. In recent weeks, he's received donation checks from New York, Florida, Colorado and Arizona.
Some supporters donate goods rather than money. Most donate magazines, books and food. Some contributions are more unusual. Someone from the New York Police Department sent Wintersteen flags that had flown over the World Trade Center site in New York.
Sending care packages is not related to support or opposition for the war, Wintersteen said, and it's more practical than the ubiquitous yellow ribbons.
"This is better than putting a magnet on your car," Wintersteen said. "That's a little too easy."
Reach Paul Thissen at 925-943-8163 or pthissen@bayareanewsgroup.com.
HOW TO HELP
Contact John Wintersteen, steenmarine@yahoo.com, 436 Sycamore Circle, Danville, CA 94526.
Ellie
Volunteers send care packages of snacks, reading material and other goodies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
By Paul Thissen
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 01/05/2008 03:02:33 AM PST
By Paul Thissen
STAFF WRITER
Jack de Leeuw didn't get care packages when he served in World War II, but he and his fellow Marines would have loved it if they did.
"If you'd gotten not only just a letter, but my Lord, a box full of stuff that is not available anywhere, it would have been enormously appreciated," said de Leeuw, a Walnut Creek resident.
He has joined fellow ex-Marines and other volunteers in putting together care packages for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since they started in mid-2004, the volunteers have sent about 40,000 pounds of snacks, reading material, hygiene products and other goodies.
The volunteers get together about once a month at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial to pack boxes. Most are members of the Marine Corps League, an organization of former and active Marines.
John Wintersteen, a Danville resident who works at the memorial, organizes the shipments. He started the project in the spring of 2004, pushed to action by the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Crowley of San Ramon.
"I just decided we had to do something," he said.
The next day he received an e-mail out of the blue with addresses of soldiers in Iraq who wanted care packages. He gathered supplies and volunteers and packed his first boxes to ship overseas.
"It really doesn't matter what's in the box," Wintersteen said. "Just the fact that somebody gives a darn means a lot to them."
The group sends packages to all the military branches, but most go to Marines. Friends, relatives and acquaintances provide addresses. Some come from a Web site that lists soldiers who want packages, http://www.anysoldier.com.
He finds volunteers and donors by sending out e-mail updates with letters of thanks from troops who received boxes.
"Thank you for the snacks," wrote one Marine, named Zach. "It becomes a booster of everyone's morale, and it provides a temporary escape from all the hardships we encounter while in Iraq."
His recipient list has 750 names; some of them forward the message to about 4,000 more, he said.
"I really believe that people want to do something, but they don't know what to do or how to do it," Wintersteen said. "This gets them going."
He's never had a shortage of volunteers, he said. In recent weeks, he's received donation checks from New York, Florida, Colorado and Arizona.
Some supporters donate goods rather than money. Most donate magazines, books and food. Some contributions are more unusual. Someone from the New York Police Department sent Wintersteen flags that had flown over the World Trade Center site in New York.
Sending care packages is not related to support or opposition for the war, Wintersteen said, and it's more practical than the ubiquitous yellow ribbons.
"This is better than putting a magnet on your car," Wintersteen said. "That's a little too easy."
Reach Paul Thissen at 925-943-8163 or pthissen@bayareanewsgroup.com.
HOW TO HELP
Contact John Wintersteen, steenmarine@yahoo.com, 436 Sycamore Circle, Danville, CA 94526.
Ellie