County Collecting Basic Items for Active Soldiers
A Christmas tree in the County Administration Building’s lobby was surrounded by donations for military troops late last week after a donation drive was conducted by the Apollo Area Lions Club. (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong County will be mailing several more boxes this weekend – and to countries thousands of miles away.
Veterans Service Officer Kathy Rashlich is finalizing packaging details to send donated items (from DVD’s and board games to wash clothes and shaving cream) to at least a half-dozen active military soldiers, a project county veterans affairs officials dub “Christmas Troop Support.”
“This is the second year that we’re doing this for the county. (Director Chuck) Righi and I started it last year,” Rashlich said. “My family has done this for probably the past 10 years.”
Last year, Rashlich – of Manor Township – and her mother, Jane, also added Santa hats to the care packages.
“It was really cute – we got pictures back of the soldiers we sent to with the hats on passing (items) out to bring a little more Christmas cheer,” Rashlich said. “We want to continue that again this year.
“When (soldiers) get these items, it just shows them the support – which is amazing here in Armstrong County. Armstrong is such a generous community.”
A flyer was first sent to County offices before the tree was decorated and lit following Election Day.
“We made paper ornaments to put on the tree – suggestions – and then we have a list of items. They’re all items that can be bought at for less than $5 – things that would make our soldiers’ lives so much easier overseas,” Rashlich said. “We ask for (item) donations, (but) some people have donated cash to pay for postage.”
Enough items are sent to share with other soldiers while they are away from their families.
Rashlich already has a list of a handful of active military personnel (including Righi’s son, Kolt), but more names of military personnel who are serving overseas this holiday season (who are also local residents) can be submitted along with their APO boxes to the veteran’s affairs office by calling 724-548-3441.
Items, including ‘Thank you’ cards, will be collected until Friday.
The county office also adopted about a dozen local veterans in nursing homes last year, and hopes to continue that project this year as well.
Local News | jweaver December 5, 2016
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