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Local group reaches out to deployed soldiers
It may seem impossible to give a hug to someone who is thousands of miles away, but six Fort Scott residents are doing just that.
In September of last year, Betty Austin, Norma Grimes, Donna Guss, Dorothy Hofman, Kathy Nation and Maxine Zimmerman created the Historic Fort Scott, Kansas Hugs Project, which is set up to provide needed items, or "hugs," to the soldiers stationed overseas, including those fighting in Iraq. Zimmerman said the packages sent often include personal hygiene items, snack food and entertainment items such as digital video discs, compact discs and various reading material. Zimmerman said the name of the project comes from how the items can make the soldiers feel.
"They make the soldiers feel hugged," she said.
Nation said the reason the ladies, all retired, got involved with in this project is obvious.
"They're over there trying to help us," she said. "They're giving their lives trying to help us, so this is the least we can do."
Zimmerman echoed Nation's reasoning for the project.
"They're defending our freedom," she said, "and we're sitting here at home with really anything we want at our fingertips. They don't have that option over there."
Zimmerman said the idea to create the group came after watching a local newscast.
"We heard about it on KOAM TV," she said. "These ladies from Carthage (Mo.) were doing it, so we contacted them and then we started doing it."
Many of the items sent overseas, Zimmerman said, have been requested by the soldiers, themselves. She said the group learns of the soldiers' requests via the Internet at www.any soldier.com, a Web site dedicated to providing needed items to the soldiers. Zimmerman said the soldiers can register on the Web site for any items they need or want, and people can browse through the registry by branch of the military or by the soldier's home state. She said the Fort Scott group members often search for soldiers from Kansas to whom they can send packages.
Because the soldiers will often register for items for their entire unit, Zimmerman said, when a soldier is chosen to be "hugged," so, too, are his or her comrades.
"Usually a squadron or unit will have one representative who will register on that Web site," she said. "So, if there are 15 soldiers in a unit, we'll send 15 of each item."
Many of the items sent overseas are donated by local businesses and residents, Zimmerman said. She added, though, that the group often makes many of the items, such as cool-ties (water-retaining tie collars for hot weather), helmet liners and sand scarves. Zimmerman said the money it takes to purchase the items or materials either comes out of their own pockets or from donations from area residents. Because the group has no overhead, she added, all the money provided through donations goes toward the items for the soldiers.
"What we really want to stress is that 100 percent of what they give us is spent to either buy things, make things or to mail the packages," Zimmerman said. "We're not looking to make a profit or get any praise, we just want to help."
Another way the group has raised money is through an American flag afghan, created by Hofman, which will be given away in a drawing on July 4 during Freedom Fest in Gunn Park. Chances on the afghan are $1 each, or six for $5.
Zimmerman said all the packages sent to soldiers are mailed in flat rate boxes, which cost $8.10 to mail, no matter what the weight. The packages aren't very big, she said, "but we can pack a lot in them."
While items like snacks and movies are all much appreciated by the troops, Nation said, the group is also encouraging local residents, including area schools, to get involved in writing letters to the soldiers. She said that because the soldiers are away from their families and friends for extended periods of time, receiving letters is a big morale boost for them.
"A lot of soldiers have kids here at home," Nation said, "so I think it would mean a lot to them to get something from little kids. Any school who wants to write letters and give them to us, we'd be glad to get them to (the troops)."
Nation said the group will continue to send items so long as there is a need for them. She added, however, that it is their hope that the Iraq War will end soon and the troops can come home.
"We hope it won't have to last very much longer," she said. "We will continue this, however, as long as their is a need, but we look forward to it being over so our troops can come home."
Anyone who would like to donate items, money or time or who has questions about the project can contact the group via e-mail at hfskshugsproject@cebridge.net.