”
Here at Operation Interdependence, we can’t thank Gilroy enough
for supporting those who keep us free. And since May is military
appreciation month, I want to display our gratitude even more
deeply to the military,
”
said Suzi Kugler, co-manager for the Gilroy branch of Operation
Interdependence.
”
We need corn nuts, ice, gums, jerky, peanuts, sunflower seeds,
corn nuts, sour candies, individual sanitary wipes, sunscreen,
phone cards, and lots of handwritten letters.
”
“Here at Operation Interdependence, we can’t thank Gilroy enough for supporting those who keep us free. And since May is military appreciation month, I want to display our gratitude even more deeply to the military,” said Suzi Kugler, co-manager for the Gilroy branch of Operation Interdependence. “We need corn nuts, ice, gums, jerky, peanuts, sunflower seeds, corn nuts, sour candies, individual sanitary wipes, sunscreen, phone cards, and lots of handwritten letters.”
Kugler has recently overseen OI’s move to its fifth location since starting up in Gilroy four years ago. At the new Operation Interdependence headquarters, monthly care packages known as C-rats, are put together and mailed to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by an all-volunteer group. Gilroy serves as the northern hub of this national nonprofit, and all care packages from northern California are processed by Gilroy volunteers. Over one million packages have been sent since 2001.
In spite of the current economic downturn, real estate broker Mark Sanchez came through with a donation of the new meeting and packing site on Carmel Street. Councilman Dion Bracco once again stepped up to provide the heavy duty flatbed trucks and his crew for OI’s move to their new digs. Container Consulting Service is generously providing the necessary boxes for shipping.
Gavilan students Charlene Rich, Lucas Black, Jordan Lance, Dylan Whitmar, and Brian Holbert have chosen OI for their community service projects. They are donating their time to raise money for much needed care items to send to our courageous troops.
A rather unusual item being included in the care packages caught my attention. While I can understand the need for including items like hard candies (they don’t melt in the heat of places like Iraq as easily as other treats), I was surprised to see tampons being packed into C-rats for men and women indiscriminately. Well, it turns out that tampons have many uses, including stanching the flow of blood from a wound when a soldier is out in the field and can’t get medical care right away.
Volunteer Louise Vogel explained to me that feminine products can save lives because of how the unique material they are made from expands to absorb blood. They come packaged in a sterile way with easy-to-use applicators and are equipped with a handy string for the surgeon to easily remove them back at the base. Since they can enable a soldier to survive until he gets better treatment, she regularly packs them in the C-rats. But they are an item that is not as readily donated, and she has been frustrated in her efforts to procure enough of them.
Soldiers appreciate everything in the C-rats, even the quart-size baggies holding them.
“The most important thing is the letter from home and the bags themselves,” according to Karen Humber, proud Marine mom and co-manager of OI. “They’re often used to protect family photos.”
“In Afghanistan, there are no stores where the troops can shop, so the care packages become even more crucial,” Kugler said. “There are stores in Iraq, but less travel means less danger. Every time a soldier goes out, they risk being killed because that’s when most attacks occur… That extra bottle of sunscreen or shampoo might mean the difference between life and death.”
Her son, Major Neil Kugler, who completed a tour of duty last year in Iraq and is now serving in Afghanistan with Task Force Talon, has great support from home. But for some American soldiers, the care packages from OI are the only communication from home that they will ever receive.
“I want to emphasize that the item most prized by troops in these care packages doesn’t cost money,” Kugler said. “It’s the letter from home. Anyone can do that. All it costs is your time and care.”
How you can help
Drop boxes for letters are located at:
-Nob Hill Foods, 777 First St.
-First Street Coffee, 1211 First St.
Details: Suzi Kugler, 847-5906, or Karen Humber, 848-2630.
