Support our Troops in Helping Children Overseas
The Missions Committee would like to let you know about our first “challenge”. One of our committee members, Dawn Coggins, has elected to “Adopt a Troop” of soldiers that are currently stationed in Afghanistan. Dawn’s husband, Andy, has been an Active Duty soldier in the Army for a little over 14 years. Dawn wanted to take on this project as it is important to her and her family to be supportive of those who are away from home. She has asked the Missions Committee to help her with this project. She is also working with the Sutton Elementary School. The soldiers she has been assigned to are from Fort Drum in New York and are a combined Medical/Hospital and Infantry division. While we are still working on all of the details, we wanted the Congregation to know that this will be a large undertaking and are hoping for strong support. The soldiers have asked for letters and pictures. As well, they are looking for specific donations (examples listed below) to hand out to the children in the Afghan neighborhoods. They feel the donations are important as they go into the neighborhoods to ensure the families are receiving the proper medical attention. Since they are in uniform and armed, they want the children and families to feel “protected” and not afraid. The information we have received about the current conditions for these Afghan communities is heartbreaking. Many children are not attending school simply because they can not afford school supplies. Details are still being finalized for this project. However, if you are interested in supporting or making a donation, we would greatly appreciate it. If you have any further questions, please contact Dawn Coggins at suttonadoptatroop@live.com.
Donations requested:
Pencils, pens, crayons, paper, hard candy, inexpensive toys such as inflatable balls (can be bought in bulk at orientaltrading.com).
My son Ben and his wife Charly have been deployed to Iraq with the 747th Military Police Co. of the National Guard. What a year of contrast: They go from guarding frozen Fitchburg after the ice storm, to the western desert of Iraq where it can hit 120o F in the shade.
The 747th has a mission of training and equipping the local Iraqi Police in numerous towns throughout Al Anbar province (a.k.a., “The Wild West”). Given the nature of the region, the Iraqi Police stations resemble small forts with concrete barriers, tall walls and barbed wire all around. The families of the Iraqi Police live inside the “fort” to protect them from terrorists. This is a hardship for the children of the Iraqi Police. Ben and Charly tell me that the kids are “Totally nuts about Soccer.” They also love the occasional sweet. So, we could help the 747th with their mission; a large part of which is WINNING THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE.
I’m asking the members of First Church to donate any used soccer equipment they might have lying around (balls, shin guards, cleats, shorts & jerseys). While you’re at it, donate the leftover Halloween candy that’s tempting you. As for our soldiers, they don’t need much: baby powder for the sweat, powdered drink mix (like Koolaid or Gatoraid), chapstick, and nutritious snacks.
BY FAR, the most frequently asked for item is a bag of Dunkin Donuts coffee. Loud and clear, this tells me our soldiers are missing HOME. So, please send a few of them Christmas cards this year. I can provide addresses. Just get in touch with me at: myfavdad@gmail.com
I’m in the choir every Sunday. After services you can simply hand me anything you want sent to our men and women in Iraq. Thank you for your support and prayers. Sincerely,
Dick Woehlke
Coffee Hour
We would like to find 2-3 volunteers from the congregation to coordinate this each week and to make sure that happens and things are cleaned up afterwards. All interested in helping us out, please contact one of the Deacons.
Altar Flowers
Deb Reynolds coordinates the flowers each week, if you would like to have flowers placed on the altar beginning January of next year please contact Deb. It is our understanding that the remainder of this year is already booked.
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