TROOP SUPPORT 08059 BRIGHTENS SPIRITS OF SOLDIERS OVERSEAS
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Bill Bates
The following letter was received from Marcus Wild, a Mount Ephraim resident and an Army soldier that is currently serving in Iraq.
“My name is Marcus Wild from Mount Ephraim and I would like to thank you guys very much for everything that I have received! I would like to go ahead and say thank you very much for all of the support over here in Iraq! It puts a smile on my face everyday to see the things that people back home do for us.”
SENDING ITEMS TO OUR TROOPS – Members of the Troop Support 08059 recently met to pack up new donated items to send over seas to local troops. The items were placed in gift bags and sent to arrive right before Christmas to brighten the spirits of the troops and to remind them that their service is appreciated. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
The above letter is just one of the many reasons why people like Karen Popelak are doing what they do. Karen is the Chairperson of Troop Support 08059, a not-for-profit group that raises funds and items to send to local troops currently serving over seas.
“We know the work we do is appreciated, but when you receive a letter from one of the soldiers themselves, it is just very gratifying” said Karen who has organized many Troop Support functions and fundraisers since 2005.
Troop Support 08059 was started in 2004 to recognize our "hometown heroes". In addition to supporting them during deployment, their families receive Blue Star Banners from the American Legion Post 150 to signify their service. Proclamations are also presented by the borough commissioners and yellow ribbons line the streets when service members return home from duty.
Karen has a very true passion and understanding of how families feel with having a loved one serving our country, her son Michael has been serving in the Air National Guard since 2001.
Recently the members of the Troop Support 08059 met in the basement of the Sacred Heart Church to put together gift bags for the troops and packaged them up to be shipped over seas.
Through a combined effort of Troop Support 08059, Support the Troop Effort, Mount Ephraim American Legion Post 150, Mount Ephraim Fire Department, Camden County Library employees and Mafco International, over three hundred gift bags for Christmas were sent along with home-made cookies to troops currently serving over seas.
Local Dentists Dr. David Bond, Dr. Renato Latini and Dr. Nicole Ayes donated new toothbrushes and toothpaste to be sent over with the gift bags as well.
The deployed troops serving our country from Mount Ephraim are Martin Coogan, Army, deployed to Iraq; Nick Rabeau, Army, deployed to Iraq; John Blagojevich, Army, deployed to Afghanistan; Priscilla Blagojevich (John's wife), Army, deployed to Afghanistan; Marcus Wild, Army, deployed to Iraq. This support is still on going and sent to all of the services and locations of deployment.
Troop Support 08059 has raised close to $10,000 over the past four years to assist in supporting our troops. Karen explained “without support from the residents, local businesses and those individuals who take the time to volunteer, Troop Support 08059 would not be a success”. “We truly do thank everyone who has helped in one way or another; it means so much to not only us, but especially the soldiers serving on the front lines and their families” she further added.
This year’s annual fundraiser will be held in October with an Octoberfest theme. To donate items or to receive updates from Troop Support 08059 you may e-mail [email protected]. A list of items needed can be found on the Mount Ephraim Fire Department website at www.mefd.org.
