Operation Troop Support planning more fund raisers

Soldiers' letters of thanks for care packages will be on display at the SEMO District Fair, where Operation Troop Support will have a booth daily from 4 to 9 p.m. The booth will be at the south entrance of the Arena Building.

Operation Troop Support has sent more than 1,500 care packages since the group was established last year and would like to follow through by responding to the list of 700 names they've collected representing soldiers from all over the country.

"The most rewarding thing is when a soldier from the 1140th comes back from Iraq and we see them in public on any given day and they find out that we are members of OTS, they come over and shake our hands and tell us how they appreciated the care packages," said Debbie Houck, Operation Troop Support vice president.

Operation Troop Support, a group of about 25 people who meet monthly at VFW Post 3838, holds fund raisers to buy the care package contents and pay for the postage.

Leslie Riney, the group's treasurer, said the soldiers don't usually ask for much and the information they receive about soldiers' needs is obtained through wives and family members.

"They seem to like the foodstuffs the most since they only get MREs [Meals Ready to Eat] issued from the military," she said, "and they really like the unique things we send in the packages that they can carry with them while in the field. They say it makes them feel a little closer to home."

Lately the request has been for Little Debbie cakes.

Operation Troop Support director Dorothy Points said the group is planning a noon spaghetti dinner at the VFW on Oct. 23 and will use the money for postage and to buy the contents for care packages.

"We'd rather have the money to buy things so nothing gets wasted," she said. "In the past some donated items had to be passed onto food pantries because of restrictions of what can be sent over there. Postage is really exorbitant."

Operation Troop Support has relied on volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Ladies Junior Aid and their kitchen committee to assist with dumpling fund raisers and their latest endeavor in preparing "Koolie Ties," which offer relief to troops in the 100-degree heat and can also be used as a reusable hand/pocket warmer when it gets cold.

Those interested in donating to Operation Troop Support may call Houck at 335-5221 or stop by at the group's booth at the SEMO District Fair.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133