Members of Jewish War Veterans, Copper State Post 619 join Support the Troops at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center to pack CARE packages for military personnel stationed overseas. Left to right: Anne Teplitsky, JWV; Mary Williams, STT; and Julian Wyatt, Commander JWV.
Nancy Stutman
ARC Support the Troops, an all-volunteer organization, gathered recently at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center to pack 150 CARE boxes to be shipped to military personnel stationed in remote areas overseas.
The organization began in 2006, when a small group of members of the Ahwatukee Recreation Center assembled there to pack and send their first shipment of 35 boxes. “This number gradually increased to 150 boxes, claim Chair Barbara Le Chaix and member Mary Williams. “We typically spend $8,000 on each shipment, with costs increasing yearly.”
Volunteers at a packing party can number from 75 to 100. Shipments occur in April and November of each year. “Families of local military from our community who have personnel stationed overseas are given priority” explains Williams. Additional addresses are received from Luke Air Force Base and Arizona National Guard.
A committee of nine works year-round to raise funds and solicit monetary contributions and food items including food and funding from local businesses. Fundraisers include: two shred-a-thons a year, an Easter Parade cookout, Fourth of July dinner and raffle, and their famous Sloppy Jo bingo and raffle. A small group searches for sales to buy “more for less,” comments Le Chaix. Members who cannot physically take part in packing the boxes, gladly gift wrap holiday items.
Support the Troops gratefully acknowledges the continued support of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary Post 64, the Ahwatukee American Legion and Auxiliary Post 64, and the Jewish War Veterans Post 619 in Sun Lakes. Large sums of money result from the JWV November and May poppy fundraisers at Fry’s Markets in Ahwatukee which are staffed by American Legion and Support the Troops volunteers.
Having received care packages for over 30 years, Julian Wyatt, Commander of JWV Post 619, says “If you want to bring a smile to a service member’s face, send a loaded care package full of goodies to boost their morale. Support the Troops is doing so much more than mailing boxes; they are Merchants of Hope. I am proud to support their efforts.”
For additional information about ARC Support the Troops, contact: bjlechaix@cox.net or mary.williams@asu.edu.