Every Tuesday afternoon, a group of local volunteers gather around a table in an industrial building in Gilroy to write personal letters to people they’ve never met. This past Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5, was no different. The volunteers penned words of gratitude and encouragement to American service members stationed in Afghanistan as part of Operation Interdependence.
Volunteers with the Gilroy chapter of the Colorado-based nonprofit also pack toiletries, food and refreshments into packages specifically for members of the U.S. Armed Forces overseas.
“This is a very patriotic town,” said Sherry Hawkes, who has been with the local chapter for 10 years. “I’m thankful for them to be there for all of us. They’re giving up so much and they go over there knowing people will be shooting at them—even the ones they think they’re helping.”
The organization is in need of more letters and money to pay for postage, according to Operation Independence Area Manager Suzi Kugler. Volunteers pack the boxes—each typically weighs in around 10 or 15 pounds—full of contains handwritten letters, peanuts, gum, eye drops and other items that may seem commonplace for civilians but are hard to find on the front lines, she said.
“They love it when we can send things like this,” Kugler said, holding up a container of moist flushable wipes. “They don’t always get to shower. When you’re out in the field, it’s nice to be able to wash your face.”
To fill the boxes with goods, the volunteers work in assembly line fashion and grab items from larger boxes in the center of a table. When they write letters, they gather around a table for a more personal experience.
Jan DeCosta first joined the local chapter when her son—a U.S. Marine—deployed to Iraq in 2006. She said the pain and insecurity of having a son serving on the front lines bled into the letters she wrote to soldiers while he was overseas.
“When I was first writing letters, I’d explain I have a son over there and try to make them think everything was going to be okay,” DeCosta said, adding that her son did two tours in Iraq before coming home in 2008. “From my end of it, I was really fortunate.”
Violeta Rodriguez, an eighth grader at Ascension Solorsano Middle School, started volunteering three weeks ago. She began sharing what she planned to write in her letter with two words: thank you.
“We’re glad that you’re loyal and brave to your country and that we’re happy that you’re always there,” she said. “We hope to see you soon and that you come back good and new.”
During a tour of the Operation Independence facility at 8070 Santa Teresa Blvd. Suite 110, Kugler stopped by a corkboard covered in printed emails and letters.
“This is one of my favorites,” she said, pointing to a letter from U.S. Army First Lt. George L. Smith, who wrote the organization is truly a blessing. “I swell up with tears when I read the letters and I’ll bring them to read to all my volunteers. I’m so happy they (the service members) not only got the things, but that they meant so much they tell us in a letter.”
“I just felt like I wanted to do something for them to make their lives a little easier,” said Mary Jane Cruz, explaining why she’s volunteered for three years. “These guys go through a lot and there are a lot of guys over there who don’t get anything from home.”
Operation Independence is located at 8070 Santa Teresa Blvd., Ste. 110 in Gilroy and is open every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations and volunteers are welcome. For more information, contact Kugler at 408-847-5906 or su********@ya***.com.
-Personal letters
-Money for shipping packages
-Addresses of soldiers overseas
-Beef jerky
-Peanuts
-Corn Nuts
-Sunflower seeds
-Powdered drink packets
How to help
Operation Independence is located at 8070 Santa Teresa Suite 110 in Gilroy and is open every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations and volunteers are welcome. For more information, contact Kugler at 408-847-5906 or su********@ya***.com.
