Soldiers overseas grateful for care packages
Yellow Ribbon Campaign collects donations of comfort items
Recently on the Yellow Ribbon Campaign Facebook page there has been a review of the people touched by the campaign, their excitement at receiving the “boxes from home” and their gratefulness.
Presently, the campaign is preparing boxes for troops in Latvia, Egypt, Lebanon and Ukraine. The personnel and the personalities which Darlene Loucks and her “angels” have engaged by including in their boxes Tim Hortons coffee, Mr. Freezies, Smarties, salsa and love is amazing.
Excerpts follow from some of their “thank you” letters.
Regarding coffee! Here is a short and sweet “excerpt” from a letter we received ... Afghanistan 2010. (quote from Darlene Loucks)
“A huge thanks to yourself and the others for the time and effort to put the boxes together. My co-worker Cpl. Tommy B’s eyes almost popped out of his head when he seen the Timmy’s Coffee … it was good for a laugh. It means a lot to get a can of Timmy Hortons Coffee when you are Overseas! One of the little things we take for granted in Canada!”
So, coffee is on the wish list. The next excerpt is from Josh, a Public Relations Officer, received by Darlene May 7, 2019.
“One of the things that stuck with me in your last email to Sgt. Ross … where you mentioned that Nick Bulger’s brother contributed to our Freezie supply. I never served in Afghanistan and didn’t know Nick, but I spent the last couple years working for General Vance. Nick was the driver. The General still wears a band around his wrist every day memorializing Nick’s service. He seemed like a pretty amazing guy and it’s great to see his family supporting CAF missions overseas, especially after all they’ve been through. I really feel for them. Please know how much each and every one of us appreciates everything you do!”
That message, that information revealing the relationships which those serving our country develop, is a result of a donation of freezies. Freezies ... check.
Darlene tells us that the next excerpt is from a young lady who provided the campaign with the names of several soldiers who were at that time serving in Afghanistan.
“July 26, 2011: Oh my, the packages came in today!!! WOW is all I can say, and that they couldn’t have come at a better time. We haven’t received mail in over a month and so on the first day of incoming mail to get all 3 Boxes from you was a real up lifter. Sara has already claimed the Cheese Whiz, she was all over it like a fat kid on a smartie and the little crackers are perfect with the cheese. All the chocolate made it safely to KAF, we still can’t comprehend it because the Skittles Melted ... they are better this way and we may try marketing blocks of Skittles upon our return :) The salsa was also a huge hit as we are planning on having board game nights. The package of letters got separated and put into binders and in Canada House so that everyone can read them. They are sweet letters, thank the boys and girls for us.”
Smarties and Cheese Whiz are on the list. Another reply that is a result of Darlene reaching out to an email address Darlene ran across when looking through a 2010 Afghanistan album contained the warmest of thanks for Juicy Fruit and hot sauce. Juicy Fruit and hot sauce … who would have thought?
Want to help? Right now Darlene is asking for Tim Hortons coffee. Buy a Tim’s card for any amount; send to the Yellow Ribbon Campaign, Darlene Loucks, 184 Melody Bay Road, Buckhorn, Ontario, K0L 1J0. She will use them to buy coffee. Questions: 705-657-7182.