Hundreds of pounds of supplies packed up and shipped out to help soldiers injured overseas
By JODI BIZAR Date published: 9/19/2006
Residents of Stafford County and elsewhere came out last week to pack up 700 pounds of supplies to be shipped to a military hospital in Germany.
Starting early Wednesday morning, the volunteers worked diligently at the Stafford American Legion Post 290, packing up sweat pants and shirts, not to mention other supplies.
“It’s a whole truckload of goods,” said Duane Morrison, American Legion spokesman.
The goods were sent to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany later that day for soldiers injured in Iraq, Morrison said.
He said the American Legion wanted to help out an effort called Landstuhl Hospital Care Project, a national program providing supplies for injured soldiers.
“These soldiers are typically issued a standard hospital gown and that’s it,” Morrison said. “Then, they have to spend a lot of time in it.”
To help these soldiers, volunteers provide money, solicit donations of goods or money, buy needed items and then ship the goods to the hospital.
Since the project started a few years ago, about 4 tons of goods have been shipped. The biggest shipment thus far was 1,600 pounds.
Karen Grimord, president of the project, said this latest shipment was one of the best.
“We got a super-excellent donation of blankets, and we weren’t charged for the shipping,” she said.
After the merchandise was shipped out on Wednesday, Grimord said she came home to find more goods that will go out in the next mailing.
The American Legion is hosting a fundraiser for the project Sunday at the post at 1204 American Legion Road. There will be food, a silent auction, raffles and a horseshoe tournament.
Anyone interested in donating goods for the soldiers is asked to drop it off at the event. Donors also can call Grimord at 540/286-1539, and a pickup might be possible. However, she said they can accept only new bedding and comfortable clothing.
For more information on the project visit landstuhlhospital careproject.org.
To reach JODI BIZAR: 540/374-5000, ext. 5627
Email: jbizar@freelancestar.com