Red Cross extends a hand to the families of soldiers
It’s war time, and everybody wants to help.
Local organizations are responding to the desire to help troops who have been deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The local chapter of the American Red Cross is one of them, and the chapter will act as a liaison between those wanting to help and those who need it.
While many are coordinating care packages for military members deployed in the Persian Gulf, local Red Cross director Debby Maddux said the organization is interested in helping family members of those deployed who may need help due to loss of income or other circumstances.
“I’ve got people calling in wanting to help in general,” Maddux said. “We can’t sent boxes to military members themselves, but some of their families may need help. If we can get the families to let us know who they are and if they need help, we can match these people up.” The organization is also partnering with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
The Red Cross is asking people to turn in the names and addresses of family members who have been deployed. The Red Cross will then coordinate with partners who have volunteered to help those family members. The organization is required to keep names confidential, Maddux said.
Other organizations and businesses are taking up names and addresses of military members in hopes of sending them care packages. The Senior Center of McMinnville and Warren County has decided to undertake coordinating care packages as a community project and organizers are asking residents to donate items along with providing addresses to send them.
The Senior Center will have donation boxes set up at Wal-Mart or at the center at 809 Morrison St., while the Southern Standard is accepting donations at 105 College St. The Standard is also seeking addresses of those deployed at 473-2191.
To suggest a local family who may be in need due to having a member of their family deployed, contact the Red Cross at 473-2595. To suggest and address of someone who needs a “Warren County Care Package,” contact the Senior Center at 473-6559 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Trying to help
Items that may be donated are: prepaid international phone cards, toiletries, travel-size personal items, disposable razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, shampoo, baby wipes, lip balm, cotton swabs, sewing kits, toilet paper, wet wipes, eye drops, hard candy, cards.