"Operation Send-A-Smile"

Send-Over Smiles Program:

In honor of our military we started a program last year called Send-Over Smiles. The purpose of this program is to supply our troops with much needed items that are hard to come by while deployed and also to show our support and gratitude for all they sacrifice in order to protect our freedom. We salute each and every one of our military personnel. If you would like to join us in showing your support you may drop off items (listed below) at our office during regular business hours. You may also write a letter of support and we will add them to our boxes. We usually adopt one unit at a time and continue support until they return home. Our current unit is currently in Afghanistan and all other information must be kept confidential at this time. We will be adding updates as to how this unit is doing as we hear from them.

Items that can be donated include:

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby wipes, books, magazines, soap, shampoo, pre packaged foods that will not spoil during transit such as granola bars, pudding and beef jerky. Please do not donate pork, religious materials or inappropriate reading material. Also, if you have a moment please write a letter of encouragement to our troops as this helps keep their spirits up.

REMINDER OF GRIM WAR STRIKES OFFICE
[Final Edition]

Daily Press - Newport News, Va.
Author: KIMBALL PAYNE
Date: Dec 24, 2004

The outreach program started a few months after [John Metzgar] left and [Brenda Tillage] asked his mother for a list of goodies to send over. As luck would have it, precious commodities in the desert were easy to come by in a dentist's office. Because dental hygiene isn't a high priority, the troops needed all the help they could get. MacGregor was happy to oblige, sending over toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and even his own worn tools.

After some legwork from Tillage's daughter, the program enlisted the help of other businesses, local schools and patients who stuffed boxes full of baby wipes, soap, shampoo, magazines and books. An oversized plastic box covered in red, white and blue stars and streamers sits next to Tillage's desk with donations.

The Rev. [Steve Dorsie] of Newport News got an e-mail from Army Reserve Spc. Demitreus Toban Thursday. Toban was in the military mess tent when it was attacked, but escaped unharmed.

Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.

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The Dragonfly Newsletter

• November 2005