OPERATION SHOEBOX AND BEYOND A Touch of Home for our Troops “Until the last one comes home!”
Massachusetts District 33-S Operation Shoe Box collection effort was truly a demonstration of the Lions caring and public support for our troops overseas. The Cabinet Advisory meeting held on November 28th at the King Philip Lions Club Hall in Raynham was “over-the-top” with generous donations from District 33-S Lions Clubs and the local communities they serve.
Operation Shoe Box began as a local project to collect donations for the troops overseas. Led by President Enid Silva of the Greater Dartmouth Lions Club, it was also supported by two Kiwanis Clubs. The Fairhaven Kiwanas Club is working with the collecting and sorting and the Fall River Kiwanas Club is responsible for the final shipping of the shoe boxes. From the start, the project grew with the help of CST Joe Rizzo whose son had just returned from Iraq and other Lions, who heard about the project and wanted to help.
At the Cabinet Advisory Meeting we were overwhelmed with the hundreds of items donated for the troops from not only Lions, but by local communities. Food and toiletries, when sorted, filled 10 eight-foot tables. We also had 13 boxes of books. Our District Governor George Hart was extremely pleased as each club arrived at the meeting with their cars and trucks filled with all kinds of wonderful amenities for our soldiers. In addition, the Berkley Lions Club purchased $200.00 in AT&T phone cards and the USO donated another $200 in phone cards. These cards were sent to the troops in time for Christmas.
Most of the items are being sent to troops overseas in shoeboxes; a small portion is being sent to personnel assigned to forward operating bases (FOBS) in Iraq.
The conditions at FOBs are quite different than at the camp locations. Forward Operating Bases are less safe or secure; there is a general lack of creature comforts, and there are no base exchanges or commissaries. A supply truck usually arrives once a week. Items not on the supply truck have to be requested by the soldiers, who have to wait for the next weekly delivery.
Our efforts are appreciated and acknowledged by the troops --for example, Lt Sarah Alcock wrote, “I am overwhelmed by your generosity. The best thing I saw … was that there was conditioner, which they hardly ever have at the PX. That will be a big treat for all the females!” Capt Rodney McCutcheon wrote that that his unit “received all the packages. The troops here really appreciate how much you guys back home are doing for us.“ And, a grandparent, Lion Robert White wrote, “my grandson received the box of goodies from the Lions Clubs for which we thank you and the other involved Lions. He particularly liked the magazines that he read and passed on to his buddies. This is a great project and Jane and I applaud your efforts.”
This project has been very gratifying by the fact that citizens, regardless of their personal opinion regarding our being in the Middle East, support the troops and appreciate the sacrifice they are making on our behalf. Lions from District 33-S in Massachusetts have pledged to continue supporting our troops so that they will know that we care about their efforts and will continue this project until the last one comes home!
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