Published: May 14, 2008 10:02 am            

Troops support group to meet Saturday

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — With local National Guardsman set to deploy to Iraq this fall, the Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom Committee will be meeting earlier this year to kick off its fundraising efforts to purchase gift cards for Jefferson County soldiers.

According to information from committee co-chairs, David Keen and Joyce Poorman, the JCOIF will be meeting Saturday at 9 a.m. at the corporate office of Rent One, 2215 Broadway.

“We’re unsure of the total number of residents from Jefferson County that will be part of that activation,” Keen said, “but we know it will be a sizable part of the number.”

Throughout the year JCOIF members hold various fundraisers, including the Kroger Bag-a-Thon, a gospel concert, and pork chop sales to raise funds to purchase gift cards at the Scott Air Force Military Exchange to mail to soldiers serving in Iraq. Last Christmas, the group raised nearly $20,000 for cards, with 29 soldiers receiving a card worth $655 each.

And though many organizations and individuals send out care or gift boxes to soldiers overseas, the postage can be costly. With the gift cards, postage is minimal and solders are able to use them for purchases at any military exchange. Keen said the group received many thank-you letters this year from soldiers who were “totally surprised and felt appreciated during the holiday.”

In addition to needing volunteers to help with fundraising efforts, Keen added the JCOIF needs help from the public in supplying names and addresses for soldiers serving in Iraq.

“Since military records are kept secret, we can’t access addresses and need the help of the residents of Jefferson County with names and addresses of relatives or loved one serving to provide information so we can send those cards,” Keen explained.

And no matter how one feels regarding the war in Iraq, he continued, it’s important for residents to support the “warriors who are putting their lives on the line for the nation.”

If you would like more information about the gift cards or would like to attend the meeting, you may contact Keen at 214-0054 or by e-mail at davidekeen@hotmail.com; or Poorman at 735-2521 or by e-mail at

jptrophies@frontiernet.net.

        

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