A Successful Drive At Hawley School—

Public Encouraged To Continue Sending Supplies To Troops In Iraq

By Larissa Lytwyn

A supplies drive for US troops stationed in Iraq reaped an exciting surprise recently for Hawley Girl Scout Troop 611.

The girls received a lavish “thank you” package, including notes of appreciation and a special American flag.

The idea for the scout-run supplies drive emerged last spring, when Troop 611 co-leader Betsy Kraushaar read a newspaper feature on military mother Pat Wilson Perkins of Bethel.

Ms Kraushaar contacted Ms Perkins to acquire a list of soldiers’ “most requested items.”

“I was delighted when she called,” said Ms Perkins. “There was a lot of supplies the troops need all the time, including some things you might not expect!”

These items included dental floss, mints, and baby wipes.

Many soldiers can only use mints or dental floss to clean their teeth; baby wipes are frequently substituted for showers.

“[Being in the military] is definitely not a walk in the park,” said Ms Kraushaar.

Other items requested were socks, soap, shampoo, Tabasco and other flavor enhances to improve the taste of food, as well as DVDs and playing cards.

Shortly after contacting Ms Perkins, Troop 611 managed a highly successful schoolwide supplies drive at Hawley for the troops. In addition to the food and toiletries, the scouts and many Hawley students enclosed posters and notes of encouragement.

Then, this past October, the 1107th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot sent the scouts an abundance of items in return, including an American flag that had been flown over Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, this past September.

A certificate from the Depot and the Army Material Command, Logistics Support Element-Southwest Asia stated that the flag not only symbolized “the strength and courage of the men and women serving there,” but also “the sacrifice and support made by our friends and loved ones at home. This flag now stands as a symbol of our undying thanks and gratitude.”

In addition, the Camp Arifjan soldiers enclosed a warm thank-you note praising the children’s efforts, as well as a giant group photo of the troop, posing with the poster the children had sent.

“We were so excited to receive all that!” said Ms Kraushaar. “It was such a wonderful surprise.”

Ms Perkins, meanwhile, has continued being very active in a number of supply-drive projects, including one for wounded soldiers.

“I’m always looking for contributors,” said Ms Perkins. “The need is so great! There are a lot of soldiers stationed in remote areas. It was wonderful when Ms Kraushaar contacted me!”

In addition to Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, Ms Perkins has worked with a number of community agencies and religious organizations, as well as area school districts.

“The soldiers love receiving anything from [civilians],” said Ms Perkins. “Notes, letters, popcorn — anything really!” she laughed. “I’ve lost track of how many pounds of supplies I’ve sent [since the war began].”

In addition to items noted above, heavy hand cream and dust masks are also useful because of the harsh desert environment.

As the desert nights turn colder in upcoming months, the soldiers appreciate special treats, especially real chocolate, Ms Perkins said.

“They can only enjoy chocolate a few short months of the year,” she explained, “during winter. In the summer, when temperatures reach 130 degrees or more, [chocolate] would just be a soup!”

All supplies must be new and unused, with the exception of DVDs, which may be gently used.

In short, said Ms Perkins, “We don’t want to forget these men and women out there,” she said. “It’s so important to continue to remember them, to support them.”

For more information on troop-supporting projects, or to make a donation, contact Ms Perkins at 797-1697.