Staff Report
The nonprofit Santa Ynez Valley We Support the Troops Inc. prepares approximately 100 “care packages” each month for American service members stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and South Korea, and the group is looking for donations.
The group will host a donation collection day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road in Solvang.
The cost of each care package, including contents and shipping, is about $95.
“For a while now, Bethania Social Ministry Committee has been looking for more ways we can be involved in our own community. When we found out We Support The Troops was struggling to get all the supplies they needed, this seemed like a simple yet meaningful use of our space and time,” Bethania’s pastor Chris Brown said.
The recipients of packages are usually but not always connected to someone from the Santa Ynez Valley, whether it’s a relative or a friend or co-worker. Each box sent includes a personal letter.
Troop members send letters to retired Air Force Col. Pat Sullivan, a group organizer, requesting things such as jerky, wet wipes, shampoo and body wash, batteries, and sanitary items for women. The list of needs is available at www.we-support-the- troops.org.
Sullivan and Sonie Lindquist, both valley residents, launched SYV We Support the Troops in 2004 after Sullivan realized that the war in the Middle East wasn’t going to end anytime soon.
“I know that especially in remote places there just isn’t the provisions they need or want, and I wanted to help any small way I could,” Sullivan said.
Volunteers also gather on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Bethania to prepare and pack the boxes to be shipped. Volunteers are always welcome.
Tax- deductible donations can be sent directly to Sullivan at 2020 High Meadow Road, Solvang, 93460, or made through the website at www.we-support-the-troops.org.
