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The “Soldiers” Project |
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OUR PURPOSE: The purpose of the Soldiers project is to show home-front support for our Troops in Middle East battle zones, and help sustain their morale during tough times.
WHAT WE DO: The Soldiers project was organized to provide a coordinated way to send these brave men and women care packages from home on a regular basis. We currently air mail boxes of cookies and other “goodies” twice a month. We work through Chaplains in Iraq and Afghanistan who distribute the items to Soldiers in their units.
WHO WE ARE: Through the mission support of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell, we currently coordinate with several other active groups, including: Christ Church Episcopal, the Kalispell Senior Center, the Adopt-A-Soldier and Adopt-A-Box (magazines) projects. We seek to work cooperatively with any similar projects in the Flathead to maximize everyone’s efforts and provide as much support to these Soldiers as possible.
WANT TO HELP? For more information or to volunteer, contact: Sandra Marker at 844-2796 or alaris@bresnan.net
DONATIONS: It costs $9.80 to air mail one small flat rate box to the Middle East. Donations to defray shipping costs are greatly appreciated in ANY amount.
Checks made out to Trinity Lutheran Church with the word “SOLDIERS” written in the memo section, qualify as charitable donations under the tax code.
Otherwise, postage donation checks may be made out directly to USPS (U.S. Postal Service).
MAIL TO: SOLDIERS
P.O. Box 591
Lakeside, MT 59922
MOST REQUESTED
ITEMS:
Foot and body powder (NO aerosols, please)
Body Wash and Lotion
Snacks (that are non-perishable, individually wrapped & won’t melt); nuts; dried fruit; hard candy
Protein Powder
Power Bars
Moist FACIAL Wipes (individually wrapped, such as Wet Ones)
Tuna Pouches
Beef Jerky (no pork products)
SPECIAL REQUESTS:
Soccer Balls, Patch Kits, Pumps
OTHER FREQUENTLY
REQUESTED ITEMS:
USED OR NEW: Sunday Funny Papers, Pillow cases & twin-size flat sheets, Music CDs, Movie DVDs (NO video tapes - the sand and heat damage them) and X-Box Games
NEW:
Boot Socks (olive green & padded - NO white)
Boot Laces (72-inch -dark brown or black)
Other Foot Products: gel insoles; bandaids; blister & bunion pads
Canned Fruit (small 8 1/4 oz cans with pop-top openers)
Canned Soup (uncondensed with pop-top openers)
Energy drinks or juice in individual servings; pre-sweetened Kool Aid
Deodorant (powders or sticks - NO aerosols, please)
Electrical and Duct Tape
Disposable Razors (moisture strips helpful)
Batteries (AA, AAA, C)
Writing materials (stationery, envelopes & pens, etc.)
COOKIES
If you would like to bake cookies, freeze them in zip lock bags, label any packages containing nuts, write “Soldiers” on the package, and place them in the kitchen freezer at Trinity Lutheran Church. Or better yet, bring them to one of our packaging “parties.” See below for times and location.
PACKAGING
INFORMATION
WHERE: Kitchen
Trinity Lutheran Church
400 West California Street
Kalispell, MT 59922
WHEN: 2nd THURSDAY each month from 1:00 to 3:00
p.m. AND 4th MONDAY each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Thursday June 12 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Monday June 23 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Thursday July 10 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Monday July 28 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Thursday Aug 14 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Monday Aug 25 10:00 am to 12:00 noon