Christmas drive for Iraq troops branches out

After sending treats a year ago, a group is planning to send trees and stockings this time. Donations are requested.

By BETH N. GRAY, Times Correspondent
Published October 24, 2007

First-grader Ayden Reyes, left, reacts as classmate Samantha Sowders jokes with her brush while they paint ornaments for the Trees for Troops program during their Chocachatti Elementary class.
	[Keri Wiginton | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Keri Wiginton | Times] Chocachatti Elementary first-grader Trinity Contos paints an ornament Tuesday.

SPRING HILL - What began last holiday season as Treats for Troops, homemade cookies sent to service people in Iraq, has grown this year into Trees for Troops.

And Christmas stockings, too.

Says chief organizer Barbara Newlin: "Imagine being half a world away, in a battle zone, wishing you could be home with your family for the holidays.

"Then suddenly, unexpectedly, a package is delivered with a small tree just for you, a little touch of home for the holidays, saying somebody cares about you."

Newlin and a group of volunteering friends have purchased 200 artificial trees, 18 inches tall, and are seeking financial and decorative donations to get them on their way to the Mideast. The aim is for military personnel to experience a taste of home and know that they are not forgotten.

"While the sentiment may be priceless, it is not without cost," Newlin points out in a promotional flier. "And we need your assistance."

Each tree sells for $4.25. "Just for fun," she adds, "we have come up with some suggested levels of giving." With a 501c3 designation, all donations are tax-deductible.

For a donation of $4.25, a giver earns designation as an elf. A Rudolph donation sponsors five trees with a contribution of $21.25. A Santa donation of $42.50 funds 10 trees. An angel covers 25 trees with a donation of $106.25.

"Not everybody believes in angels," acknowledges Newlin, "but when a soldier in the middle of the desert opens a box and finds a Christmas tree, trimmings, goodies and cards inside, it's a pretty safe bet he or she will feel an angel on his or her shoulder."

Donors may include a package of nonbreakable ornaments for the soldier to decorate the tree. Also, the volunteers have enlisted the help of schools and crafts groups to create decorations.

With colored paper and glue and doodads, students are taking part at Chocachatti, Moton and Pine Grove elementaries and Fox Chapel Middle School.

Crafters at Timber Pines and Silverthorn are contributing their efforts.

The Marine Corps League Auxiliary has been raising funds for the project. Beta Club at Central High School is soliciting donations. Nature Coast Technical High School had a table for fundraising during a car show last week.

Cash donations will help offset the cost of postage, which is $8.95 per box, Newlin said.

After the initial intention to provide the small Christmas trees, Newlin and her group thought to add Christmas stockings. They have been purchased at $1 each.

Now, the group wants to fill them, suggesting candies, individual packages of nuts, trail mix, sunflower seeds, hot cocoa mix, instant cider, soup and oatmeal, ramen noodles, beef jerky, Pop-Tarts, dried fruit, power and protein bars, microwave popcorn, letters of support and signed holiday cards.

The volunteers hope donors will give beyond the $4.25 per tree.

"Fifteen dollars per box would cover a tree, stocking and postage," Newlin said.

Organizers will send out the donations using lists of names of service personnel provided by the military and by various service support groups. Donors can also provide names of individuals to whom the packages will be sent.

Donations of money and goods can be delivered to Goin' Postal, Silverthorn Square, 14231 Powell Road corner of Powell and Barclay Avenue, Box 33, Spring Hill 34609. Checks should be made out to Treat the Troops.

The deadline for donations is Oct. 31 so that delivery to Iraq can be assured before Christmas.

Beth Gray can be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net.

[Last modified October 23, 2007, 20:52:08]