Volunteers gearing up to pack supply boxes for soldiers

An article by Leslie Shepard    No Comments

A “Miracle Box” packing party will take place on Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association, located at 3860 Newton Road in Commerce Township. The party, organized by a group of Wolverine Lake volunteers, will pack and distribute supplies to the men and women serving in the mili- tary overseas. Donations may be delivered beginning tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 1 until Oct. 1 to Kristy Nedrow at 515 Laguna Court in Wolverine Lake. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hansen)

While U.S. soldiers continue to battle insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, putting their lives at risk daily, here in the lakes area a group of Wolverine Lake volunteers is “paying it forward” by joining the Desert Angels campaign to pack and distribute supplies to the men and women serving overseas.

The “Miracle Box” packing party will take place on Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association, located at 3860 Newton Road in Commerce Township.

The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is seeking other volunteers to pitch in by either helping to pack the boxes, or donating items or dollars to the cause.

Donations may be delivered beginning tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 1 until Oct. 1 to Kristy Nedrow at 515 Laguna Court in Wolverine Lake.

“These soldiers don’t have access to local drug stores, so there’s a lot they go without,” said Desert Angels organizer and Wolverine Lake resident Joann Sullivan. “Desert Angels sends down items to make their lives a little easier.”

Sullivan said popular must-haves include pocket foods like granola bars, Rice Krispie treats or instant items that only need water, such as instant coffee and oatmeal. Socks and bandanas are coveted items to help ward off perspiration.

For a full list of suggested supply items, visit thedesertangel.org or wolverinelake.com.

The village joined the effort for the first time last year thanks to Denny DeWitt, a Vietnam veteran who saw a need and answered the call in the community.

“Denny wanted to get involved and organized the first packing party where we were able to pack and ship 303 boxes in 2.5 hours,” Sullivan said. “There was such an overwhelming response in the community. The saying ‘many hands make light work’ truly was the case.”

Monetary donations are welcomed since it costs $12.95 to mail every box; checks may be made out to Desert Angels, Inc.

Another branch of Desert Angels is Desert K-9, geared toward sending supplies to the 600-plus military dogs deployed overseas.

“The government doesn’t supply items to dogs — the handler must provide the necessities,” Sullivan explained.

So in addition to collecting items for soldiers or the dollars to send the boxes overseas, the organization is also collecting necessities and/or monetary donations for the K-9 organization.

Sullivan added that the biggest detriment to the military work dog is the scorching heat. To mitigate inclement weather conditions, cooling vests, paw booties, and goggles are needed, and a bundle of those items costs $250 each. Any monetary donation is welcomed. Checks must be written to Desert K-9 and mailed to Nedrow’s address.