Santa will visit Iraq
Sunday, November 5, 2006 8:30 AM PST
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| Beckey Arnold | Argus Observer
Amber Meyer, Intermountain Community Bank, Ontario, is excited to see donations for ‘Christmas for the Troops' already coming in. The fund-raiser will run through Nov. 20. |
Beckey Arnold
Argus Observer
Thanks to a local resident, a popular holiday fund-raiser for members of the armed forces serving overseas is now in full swing.
Amber Meyer, an employee at Ontario's Intermountain Community Bank, is pushing the “Christmas for the Troops” effort.
A number of area businesses will also take part in the campaign. “Christmas for the Troops” gift boxes will be situated in the lobby of such businesses as Intermountain Community Bank Ontario, Payette, Fruitland, Weiser and Caldwell branches and Red Apple, Ontario. Vale High School will also display a “Christmas for the Troops” gift box.
“Christmas for the Troops” was established several years ago but faded away.
The effort has special significance for Meyer because her brother, Sgt. Cody Bottom, was recently deployed to Iraq.
“The troops need uplifting,” Meyer said. “Cody will hand out the items to the men which, I know, will uplift his spirits.”
A Santa Claus hat has been donated for Bottom to wear while handing out gifts.
“With news of additional troops being deployed, extended deployment terms and the imminent decrease in morale, especially around the holidays, we need to do everything we can to offer encouragement and support from home,” Intermountain Community Bank employee and “Christmas for the Troops” supporter Mary Barry said in an e-mail.
Dominick's Quick Print donated posters for the fund-raiser.
The deadline to drop off donations is Nov. 20. The Nov. 20 deadline is necessary to allow time for the gifts to be delivered by Christmas.
Boxes and hot chocolate will be in front of the Intermountain Community Bank, Ontario, during the Veteran's Day Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday at 98 S. Oregon St.
Meyer said those who wish to contribute should remember some items are not allowed to be donated.
For example, Meyer said, no chocolate because it will melt; no pork products because the army must abide by the laws in the country; and no civilian clothing.
“Civilian clothing makes them a target,” Meyer said.
Bottom, son of Tony and Lynda Bottom, Vale, was deployed to Iraq Oct.10 for one year.
In February, Bottom returned from Belgium where he had been stationed for three years. Prior to his deployment to Iraq, Bottom was stationed in Colorado.
Bottom's wife, Terra, formerly of Ontario, and their two daughters, Kodi, 13 and McKenzie, 10, and son, Austin, 7, remain in Colorado.
Although Bottom is trained in computers, “he doesn't know what his job will be yet (in Iraq),” Meyer said.
He is currently stationed outside of Baghdad.
The gifts symbolize home, a distant memory for soldiers serving in places like Afghanistan or Iraq.
Family separation is one of the most difficult challenges faced by soldiers when they deploy, according to one local U.S. Army recruiter.
“The hardest thing (around the holiday) is being away from families,” Staff Sgt. Scott A. Taylor, commander at the Ontario Army Recruit Station said.
One item Taylor recommended was baby wipes.
“Baby wipes are like gold when you're deployed,” Taylor said.
Phone cards are also in high demand when overseas.
“Make sure they are international,” Taylor said. “Don't get the cell phone cards.”
Meyer explained the unfortunate minute issue with the phone cards. Many times it will have more than 100 minutes available but once the call is made from overseas there are only 10 minutes on the card. AT&T phone cards work the best.
“You have to hurry and talk,” Meyer said.
Stockings and Christmas cards are encouraged.
“They (soldiers) like a piece of home sent to them,” Taylor said. “Knowing you're being thought of is uplifting.”
Meyer and Bottom have come up with a list for gift ideas.
“These are just suggestions,” Meyer said, “you can think outside the box.”
Money donations are also being accepted to help with the cost of shipping. Meyer said money donated can also be used to purchase items in the contributor's name.
Here is a list of the ideas for items to be donated to ‘Christmas for the Troops'
Fun Items
Christmas stockings
Christmas cards
Nerf football (the small size ones)
Frisbee, playing cards
DVD movies, video games
Magazines, books - new and used
Music CDs (copies would be fine)
Hacky sacks, harmonicas
Battery operated fans
Electronic hand-held games
Batteries
Paper, envelopes, nice writing pens
Phone cards (AT&T work best)
Disposable cameras, film
Toys - slinky, sidewalk chalk, window chalk
Travel-sized board games, card games
Dice
Food Items
Don't send chocolate - it will melt
Powdered gatorade
Slim Jims or beef jerky (No pork products)
Cheese and cracker snacks
Dry cereal (like the snack packs)
Little Debbie snack cakes
Sunflower seeds or other nuts
Granola Bars/breakfast bars
Trail Mix or Chex Mix (without M&Ms)
Dried fruit
Hard candies
Cookies (lunch box packs - Oreos are great)
Rice Krispie bars - they travel great
