News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Touch of Home Deploys Gifts to Military

Touch of Home Deploys Gifts to Military

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Crestline, CA – Every month roughly 175 love packages are mailed from the Crestline Post Office by volunteers from Touch of Home Support 4R Deployed Military.

"They love to see us coming," co-founder Bill Boone stated as he stepped up to the service desk to begin the long process of shipping the packages to young men and women serving in the military.

"Our signature item is our one quart Ziploc bag crammed full of travel size shampoos, lotions, tooth brush, sewing kit, deck of cards or travel size game, etc.," Boone explained. "Our dedicated volunteers wrap each bag with a pair of nice new soft boot socks held by rubber bands. We also ship items for the Military to give out to the Iraqi Children."

Touch of Home's Bill Boone sends packages to the military from the Crestline Post Office. The non-profit organization needs contributions to pay for postage to send newly donated items to deployed service men and women. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Boone told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net that during 2007, the non-profit organization will deploy over 2,100 packages.

"This a record for us," Boone said as he stamped another package for shipment, "Last year, we mailed about 1,500. Our mailing costs this year run about $1,500 a month and when we add the cost of packaging Touch of Home must raise about $3,000 a month."

Touch of Home volunteer Val Van Hemelryck from Crestline loads packages heading to overseas military on a cart in front of the Crestline Post Office. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

While Boone was compiling the necessary paperwork inside the post office, volunteer Val Van Hemelryck from Crestline was loading additional packages on a cart for transporting in to the service counter.

As Van Hemelryck would roll the cart towards the double doors, local residents would pause to hold open the doors so speed the packages on their way to mostly forward support military.

Several times during his latest trek to the post office, Boone was given the thumbs up and complimented for Touch of Home's important mission—to provide practical support, by way of letters, recreational supplies, and personal care items to deployed military. And he even got his fair share of hugs!

In a recent letter received by Touch of Home, Sergeant First Class Michael Martin thanked the volunteers for sending the love package. "We appreciate all the support that our friends, family, and patriots like you have given us. It means so much to us to know that there are folks out there that Support the Troops."

Martin was deployed out of Fort Still, Oklahoma and stationed inside Baghdad. In his package was a book, Reflections From the Battlefield, which he was looking forward to reading.

Volunteers are always needed to help prepare the love packages. Contact Bill or Diane Boone at 909-338-0876 for additional details.

Drop boxes collecting items for the packages are located throughout the mountain with a complete list available at http://www.touchofhomeformilitary.com.

The web site also outlines ways to contribute to Touch of Home including PayPal. Donations may also be sent to: Touch of Home, P.O. Box 608, Crestline CA 92325-0608.

This article was first published on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 12:00 am. This article has been viewed 1678 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.