| Kiyomi MacDonald, Diane Tadehara, and Ian MacDonald participate in the gifts for servicemen project. |
Operation Home Support is sending some holiday cheer to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In conjunction with boy scouts from Ferron who wanted to become involved in the project, volunteers packed the boxes to be sent abroad on Nov. 22.
When the scouts became involved they approached the Ferron Elementary students to write letters to the soldiers. The scouts gathered the letters to be sent to the soldiers. Also included in the packages are: nuts, dried fruit, Chex mix, candy, treats, socks and small electronic games.
Conor MacDonald, 11, said, “I enjoy doing this. It will make the servicemen feel good. It will make them feel like they are fighting for something, not just going out to fight.” MacDonald is using the service project to help him with his citizenship in the community merit badge.
Ian MacDonald, 14, also a scout, said, “I feel pretty good about this project. One of the packages is going to my best friend’s brother who is serving his country.”
| The ladies from the Ferron American Legion Auxiliary write letters to the servicemen. |
Dixie Swasey said Jan Hess, American Legion auxiliary president in Ferron began the Operation Home Support to send packages and letters to cheer servicemen. The Christmas project is an extension of the goodwill packages sent throughout the year.
One servicewoman, Sarah Spiridigliozzi is the niece of a county resident and she will be receiving a package. Packages will be going to the friends and relatives of some Emery County people. Eight servicemen will be included in the mailing.
Kiyomi MacDonald said, “I really love this project. It’s really important for the soldiers to know they are fighting for something. I think it’s really good the elementary students wrote letters to the soldiers.”
The American Legion auxiliary ladies made treats to be included in the packages: Maribelle Wareham, Alta Singleton, LaVerna Petersen, Louisa Hendrickson, Martha Coley, Janet Damron and Evelyn Huntsman participated.
| Holly Damron, Dixie Swasey and Conor MacDonald get the packages ready to mail. |
Carol Riddle took pictures of the event to print out and include with the packages.
The pictures will give the servicemen an idea of who put their packages together and sent a word of cheer to help them through the Christmas season away from their families.
To donate funds to Operation Home Support, contact Jan Hess, 384-2753. Donations can be mailed to American Legion Auxiliary #42, P.O. Box 209, Ferron, Ut. 84523.