thedrifter
11-19-08, 10:10 AM
November 19, 2008
Organization creates pen-pal system to support troops
BY HALLIE WOODS
HallieWoods@coloradoan.com
A Wellington woman is encouraging residents to show their support for servicemen and women by getting out their pens and buying some stamps.
Sandra Thomas, vice-president for the Reagan RoundUp organization, which creates a pen-pal system between U.S. residents and deployed soldiers, sailors and Marines, says the program is a simple way for people here to help those going through difficult times.
“These people miss birthdays, anniversaries and their children’s celebrations,” said Thomas, who had two sons and her husband serve in the military. All three appreciated letters from home.
Reagan RoundUp started in 2005 when a mother set up a pen-pal program between her friends and her son’s division, which was being deployed to Iraq. Named for her son’s deployment ship, the USS Ronald Reagan, the program now connects people all over the country to those serving in the military.
Pen pals are asked to sign up online and are then connected with a service man or woman. Pen pals are asked to write twice a week sending light news from back home in the United States, Thomas said.
When someone signs up, however, they shouldn’t expect to have their pen pal write back.
“They don’t always have time to write,” Thomas said. “We’re not doing it for the thanks; we are doing it to thank them and let them know they are supported.”
The organization re-ceives requests from dozens of deployed military men and women wanting letters and always needs volunteer pen pals, Thomas said. Thomas does not have any pen pals in Northern Colorado right now.
“The program has nothing to do with whether we agree or disagree on the war,” she said. “They are nevertheless serving our country.”
Additional Facts
Want to write?
Sign up to become a pen pal at www.reaganroundup.org.
For more information, contact Sandra Thomas at Sandra@ reaganroundup.com .
Ellie
Organization creates pen-pal system to support troops
BY HALLIE WOODS
HallieWoods@coloradoan.com
A Wellington woman is encouraging residents to show their support for servicemen and women by getting out their pens and buying some stamps.
Sandra Thomas, vice-president for the Reagan RoundUp organization, which creates a pen-pal system between U.S. residents and deployed soldiers, sailors and Marines, says the program is a simple way for people here to help those going through difficult times.
“These people miss birthdays, anniversaries and their children’s celebrations,” said Thomas, who had two sons and her husband serve in the military. All three appreciated letters from home.
Reagan RoundUp started in 2005 when a mother set up a pen-pal program between her friends and her son’s division, which was being deployed to Iraq. Named for her son’s deployment ship, the USS Ronald Reagan, the program now connects people all over the country to those serving in the military.
Pen pals are asked to sign up online and are then connected with a service man or woman. Pen pals are asked to write twice a week sending light news from back home in the United States, Thomas said.
When someone signs up, however, they shouldn’t expect to have their pen pal write back.
“They don’t always have time to write,” Thomas said. “We’re not doing it for the thanks; we are doing it to thank them and let them know they are supported.”
The organization re-ceives requests from dozens of deployed military men and women wanting letters and always needs volunteer pen pals, Thomas said. Thomas does not have any pen pals in Northern Colorado right now.
“The program has nothing to do with whether we agree or disagree on the war,” she said. “They are nevertheless serving our country.”
Additional Facts
Want to write?
Sign up to become a pen pal at www.reaganroundup.org.
For more information, contact Sandra Thomas at Sandra@ reaganroundup.com .
Ellie