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Local volunteers put hearts in USO effort
(by Joan Demirjian - March 08, 2012)
Local volunteers put hearts in USO effort
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Each week, volunteers gather at the United Service Organization's care package office in Bainbridge to pack boxes of "comfort" items to send to the troops.
Volunteers John and Beverly Magyar, of Solon, have been involved with the USO since last fall. "We love the troops, and we want to do something to help them," Mrs. Magyar said.
Robert Vesely, of Claridon, who has been volunteering for three years since retiring, said, "I was looking for something to do, and this couldn't be better."
Former Bainbridge Police Chief James Jimison, now a member of the Kenston Board of Education, has been volunteering for more than a year, packing boxes with items for the troops. "It goes back to helping your country and the troops, many of whom have gotten hurt," he said.
He said his son Mark Jimison, who served in Somalia and Afghanistan, "told me how much the troops appreciated the USO items."
South Russell resident Noel Burr is the volunteer coordinator at the USO office on Chillicothe Road (Route 306). "I have never had such terrific volunteer support as with this group," she said. "They just want to be here and help. From 10 to 15 volunteers show up each week."
Their assistance, as well as donations, are greatly needed, she said. After the holidays, things slow down, Mrs. Burr said. "Everyone is taking a breather, but the need still exists."
While the major contingent of troops has returned from Iraq, there are still military there, as well as in Afghanistan, the volunteers noted.
Mrs. Burr and her husband, Ralph, have been working with the USO in Ohio for several years. "Everyone here is giving up their time to help," she said of the volunteers. "It's most appreciated."
"And the troops appreciate what we ship," she said. "The thank-you notes we get inspire everyone. The gifts not only meet needs but boost morale of those in the military."
Letters of appreciation from the troops are displayed on the wall at the USO headquarters, along with photos of them opening the boxes.
"We've received four or five certificates from units, thanking the community for the donations," Mrs. Burr said. "Visitors are always welcome to come by and look at them."
The USO is facing rising postal rates, with costs now at $13.45 per box.
"The post office ships them to a loading station for the military and sends them mostly to Afghanistan, where the majority of the troops are located," Mrs. Burr said.
Schools, Scout groups and other organizations bring in items. Notes to the troops from schoolchildren, along with their pictures, are very popular with those serving in the military, volunteers said.
"We are reminding people, we're still here, and the troops are still there," Mrs. Burr said.
"Right now we need toiletries and snack foods. We also like game books and small things we can put in a box," she said. "We have sent school supplies where the military is dealing with communities, and they hand them out to the kids."
Frank Lanza, owner of Highway Garage and the office buildings where the USO office is located, offers the space free of charge to USO, Mrs. Burr said. "It's his patriotic generosity," she said. "We have been here 2 1/2 years."
Those with items to donate items can drop them off between 1:30 and 3 p.m. each Wednesday at the USO office. A donation box is also available at Highway Garage.
Some of the items needed include trail mix, dried fruit, coffee and tea packets, small packages of cookies and crackers, candy, gum and fruit and applesauce in small containers. Personal items include small shampoo containers, shower gel, lip balm, shaving gel and razors. Monetary donations help defray shipping costs. For more information and a list of requested items, call 440-338-7221.
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