If good things come in small packages, then great things arrive in medium and large packages. Based upon the responses received from U.S. Armed Forces personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is the lttle things sent from home that make for big celebrations and big time boosts in morale.
Since May of 2005, Arvada Elks Lodge member Rick Gauthier has hooked up with GIVE2THETROOPS.org, a national organization recently recognized publicly by both the President of the United States and the U.S. Department of Defense for their community service. Their mission? To gather, package and deliver care packages to platoons and units of fighting men and women overseas. These twenty six pound boxes of gratitude and and support contain everything from drawings and letters crafted by school children, to toiletries, candy, games, snacks, sunscreen, magazines and blank Christmas cards to sign and send back home to family and loved ones.
Rick's efforts recently resulted in his own promotion: he's now an assistant director for GIVE2THETROOPS, and it's all based out of the Arvada Elks Lodge #2278 at 5700 Yukon in Olde Town Arvada. "It's not about me," Rick explains, "I just want our soldiers to know we think about them, care about them and DO something to back it up."
An army of volunteers have been enlisted to help. In addition to other Elks, employees of Coors-Tech and the Colorado Department of Revenue have proven their mettle in the on-going battle to "Support the Troops". Girl scouts, regular folks, whole neighborhoods and parents of soldiers have been invaluable to Rick's continuing quest to fill and ship more care packages. "We will do it until they come home, period," he states.
On Saturday, October 8, 2005, the second of many "packing parties" was held at the Arvada Elks Lodge. Another 75 boxes were filled, weighed, sealed with a kind letter or drawing, and addressed to another deserving soldier or supply sergeant. Extra care was taken to send some boxes just for women.
You can help. Log onto the website (GIVE2THETROOPS.org) to see the list of requested items, photographs of thankful troops, correspondence, and more. Bring items to the lodge. Start a collection drive at work. Come to a packing party. Call Kevin Moore for more info (303) 425-0747 or call Trudy Brown, Colorado Branch Director of Give 2 The Troops at 720 353-2532.