Locals 'Adopt a Platoon,' Send Care Packages to Troops

The following is a first person account of a recent effort by several community groups to send items to the troops from Michael Gould Boy Scout troop leader and Roswell Rotary member.

Roswell has always been a community that appreciates the brave men and women in the U.S. military who defend our freedom and risk their lives to protect ours. 

After spreading word that the Roswell Rotary Club would be sending holiday care packages to several forward operating bases in Afghanistan, the city’s response was overwhelming. Over three quarters of a ton of items were dropped off at Roswell City hall and other places around town to be sent to troops who will be far from home this holiday season. Everything from batteries to Q-tips, and a thousand things in between were donated.

On Saturday, Dec. 1 members of the Roswell Rotary Club - with the help of many other volunteers including city employees, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts - met at The Cottage School to pack these items into boxes and ship them overseas. The true spirit of the holidays was with us as we worked together setting up a massive assembly line of items and filled each box for an individual soldier. While the contents of each box varied, every package had at least one letter wishing them a happy holiday and thanking them for their service.  Among other items included were DVDs, energy bars, socks, books, magazines, candy, tooth brushes and drink mixes.

The Rotary Club had hoped to fill one box for each of the 81 military personnel serving under the command of Lt. Colonel Patrick Williams, USAF, nephew of Roswell City Councilwoman Becky Wynn. When finished, we had filled 195 boxes; an unprecedented effort that blew everyone away. All completed in less than two hours, thanks to so many wonderful volunteers. Packages are due to arrive to the troops on Dec. 22. 

The Roswell Rotary Club would like to thank everyone in Roswell who donated items, wrote letters and took the time to help make this project such a success.  And most of all we would like to thank the brave men and women of the U.S. military for their service to our great nation. We wish you a Happy Holiday, a Merry Christmas, a successful completion of your mission and a safe journey home.