Operation Support Our Troops collecting items
Organization's motto: 'We will be here as long as they are there'
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The mother of a West Point cadet is organizing a local Operation Support Our Troops campaign to aid soldiers serving overseas.

Bronwyn Levy, whose daughter Sarah was accepted to the United States Military Academy in 2006, has been inspired by Sarah and her friends to coordinate efforts to acquire personal items, helmet liners and letters to soldiers.

"It is to make sure kids remember we know they're there and we know they're in harm's way and they know we haven't forgotten them," she said.

The organization was founded to help improve the morale and welfare of members of the armed forces who are deployed in harm's way. The campaign began on Feb. 14, 2002, by Mary Kay Salomone, whose father, uncle, brother, son, husband and brothers-in-law served at West Point.

After cadets approached her and expressed their need for items for Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan, she sought permission from the Pentagon and began serving members of the Army, Navy, Air Force andMarines who are on active duty.

"The whole idea is to lift spirits," Levy said.

The needed items include lip balm, sports equipment, games, pillow cases, flashlights, batteries, headache cooling pads, tissues, nail files, baby wipes, dental floss, shaving cream, body wash, tweezers, white tube socks, Febreeze, DVDs, CDs, magazines, rat traps, Play-Doh, balloons and the Sunday comics. The most important items, Levy said, are flip-flops and microfiber blankets.

A complete list is available at the library.

"This is driven by what they need, not by what we want to give them," Levy said of the importance of adhering to the list.

A favorite idea of Levy's is female panty liners, which the female soldiers used as sweatbands.

"Do you love the ingenuity of theAmerican kid? I love it!" she said.

Levy said the names of soldiers in need come from chaplains, West Point graduates, the Pentagon and various commanders. Levy must personally bring the packages to the post office herself and fill out the customs forms. She said she usually drops off a box or two every night after work. The boxes are mailed to an APO address and from there the military gets it overseas. The process ensures the highest level of security for the troops.

She said 390 tons of care packages have been sent from Support Our Troops since 2002.

"With Vietnam, our kids were cut off, were alone, were not welcomed back. This is not going to happen again. We support them, we want them to come home," Levy said.

If residents cannot do their own shopping or have limited money to donate, she said a mere $10 is enough to mail one box overseas. Since each box holds $50 worth of themed-materials, even a simple donation is appreciated.

Larger donations have come from CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond and Unilever.

Levy said personal letters are also critical. She said veterans who write to current military personnel are especially appreciated, as are pictures from children. She said Linwood Middle School, under the direction of Principal Pete Clark, has sent over 600 letters to the troops.

"Most of them were just so wonderful," Levy said.

Appropriate material for letters are notes about what is going on in school, sports highlights, entertainment news and safe wishes for them. Politics and views on the war should be avoided.

Levy said if the address of the sender is included, the soldier may write back.

In addition, volunteer Arlene Garbett Feldmeier reworked instructions for knitting a helmet liner. Directions are available at the library or municipal building.

Levy became familiar with the organization through the parents network at West Point. Salomone had put out a written request, so Levy, having her father, her children's father, her uncle and her cousin who served previously in the military, Sarah who is currently serving, and her son, David, who is looking to join the Marines soon, felt a responsibility to support the cause.

She said her family went to Disney World over Christmas break and began looking for toys and microfiber blankets down there, which led to a more widescale project, with Sarah's permission.

"I was very stressed and I love these kids and I love them all. They come home with [Sarah] and I look at them and it could break your heart," she said. "The kids I've met are fantastic. They are incredible, incredible kids. Thank God for them. … This generation is terrific."

Sarah, meanwhile, is in her second year at West Point and was nominated as Soldier of The Quarter during her first year. She will not go to Aerosault School but instead is "an excellent shot," Levy said, and qualified for the United States Military Academy Army pistol team. She is double-majoring in Spanish and Russian, and will travel to Belarus over spring break for a week.

After her five-year commitment, she can add three years to her obligation if she requests a specific branch to enter. Levy said her daughter will probably pursue a career in the military after graduation.

The new, unopened items can be brought to Cheryl McBride at the library at 880 Hermann Road, Jessica Zink at the senior center at 15 Linwood Place, and Janice Larkin in the mayor's office at 710 Hermann Road. Or, tax-deductible checks can be made payable to Operation Support Our Troops and can be dropped off at any listed location.

"There are a lot of people doing a lot, a lot of unsung heroes and a lot of people quietly letting the kids know, we're here for you," Levy said.

For more information, call (732) 246 - 3545 or visit www.northbrunswicklibrary. org.