Clothing drive helps Walter Reed troops

By COLLEEN DUNN
Bucks County Courier Times

Recently Norman and Linda Idleberg's Northampton home has become a storehouse for secondhand clothing. And theirs is not the only one.

“My front room in my house is sort of looking like the Goodwill [store],” said Linda Idleberg, who lives at The Regency at Northampton.

The clothing drive began during dinner July 5 when Normal Idleberg told his friend Mike Soroker that he had heard the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. desperately needed clothing for soldiers and their families.

The men decided to organize a clothing drive in the 55-and-older community. Now its community association has more donations than it knows what to do with.

“We don't have a truck and we don't have a van. We thought we were doing some little thing and it has taken on a life of its own,” Linda Idleberg explained.

The need for the soldiers and Marines at the Walter Reed treatment facility stems from two issues. Some soldiers arrive with only their uniforms to wear and many — especially those in lower pay grades — can't afford to purchase clothing during their recovery.


While Soroker informed the community about the project through e-mails and a meeting, Norman Idleberg became what Soroker called the “leader of transport.” However, both of their homes became donation drop-off points.

Saturday was the final day for donations. On Monday, two stuffed carloads will make the trip south.

Norman Idleberg stressed that he is just one player on a bigger team, with a role that was nothing exceptional.

“We are interested citizens and we are trying to do a good deed, that's all,” he said.
Colleen Dunn can be reached at 215-949-4227 or at cdunn@phillyBurbs.com

July 15, 2007 3:32 AM

Ellie