STT representatives Barb LeChaix (chairman) and Mary Williams will tell JWV members how their donations to Support the Troops boosts the morale of active-duty men and women in remote areas of the world. JWV and STT work closely together to help each other’s veterans’ charities.
Nancy Stutman
Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Copper State Post 619 welcomes back its partner Ahwatukee Recreation Center (ARC) Support the Troops (STT) on Sunday, April 27. The meeting takes place in the new Oakwood Country Club Recreation Center, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd. in Sun Lakes. A Meet & Greet with free lox and bagels, coffee, and doughnuts starts at 9:30 a.m., and the speaker follows at 10 a.m.
STT Chairman Barb LeChaix and associate Mary Williams will present their next big event for members to set up and fill the boxes on Thursday, May 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Approximately 80 members of the STT and JWV will perform this daunting task before enjoying Chick-fil-A sandwiches provided to all.
JWV members will join ARC Support the Troops participants to pack 150 gift boxes to send to active-duty men and women who are in remote areas of the world. Packages, sent twice a year, have reached all branches of service in Africa, Afghanistan, Jordan, and Poland (on the Ukraine border). “It’s our way of thanking them and letting them know they have not been forgotten,” expresses Chairman LeChaix.
All boxes contain the same items: individual mac and cheese cups, Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey bars, individual Nutella cans, individually wrapped belVita bars, and individual packets of Swiss Miss hot chocolate. Anyone wishing to donate any of these items may drop them off between 9 and 9:30 a.m. at the JWV April 27 meeting at Oakwood Country Club.
“During the holidays, we have heard from many that our box is the only thing they receive from home (the United States). There is so little we can do, but this is our way of saying thank you to a few,” humbly states LeChaix.
“We receive donations from many Ahwatukee Recreation Center members, and almost all our clubs contribute monetary donations yearly to help subsidize extravagant shipping costs. Besides our own ARC members, we are fortunate to have help from groups such as the Jewish War Veterans Post 619, local dentists and doctors, Edward Jones, and our own local American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, plus many more organizations,” explains Mary Williams.
Barb LeChaix’s husband was in the Air Force during World War II, and they had a special friend who was in the Death March of Bataan and in the Japanese Coal Mines for three years. “He started a massive program like ours in California. I felt driven to do something, even though it is a mini project compared to his,” she explains of her motivation to start a Support the Troops in Ahwatukee in 2008.
The Jewish War Veterans Post 619 is committed to making a difference in the lives of veterans from all faiths. Everyone is welcome. Come together to support veterans and celebrate the community that uplifts them! For more information about JWV Post 619 and membership opportunities, please contact Arthur Uram at 702-884-4175 or via email at [email protected].