IMG_3815The Military & Family Support Group kicks-off their annual Letters from Home Community Christmas Box project for 2011 and is looking to the community to help out.   Each year, the organization collects cards of support and items for Christmas boxes that go to those actively serving in the military during the holidays.

The group encourages the public to participate by donating cards of encouragement and items for the military that will help them where they are stationed.  This project supports all branches of the military no matter where they are located.

In past years, area schools, churches, Boys & Girls Club, LatchKey, Little Dude Ranch, Early Beginnings Child Care in Early,  Girl Scout Troops, Cub Scout and Boy Scouts, individual families and many others gathered cards of support and donated items to share with the Military.  Last year a single family took this on as a family project and gave 100 cards of support to be placed in the packages. 

Dr. Billy Dippel, United States Navy retired, was one of the most faithful supporters.  All year he would sign cards of support and get local dentists to make donations of toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.  Dr. Dippel passed away last year but some of the Military are going to receive very special cards in their packages.  Dr. Dippel had already started getting cards ready and his wife Elaine presented them to the group to go in the boxes. 

“Our Military need to know that all Americans appreciate their role in protecting and defending our nation’s freedom – during time of peace but especially during times of war,” said coordinator of the project Joyce Leidig.

The group said that they need help on Thursday, November 3rd, Friday, November 4th with setup.  On Saturday, Nov 5th, distribution will start at 1:00 and will continue until 3:00 pm.  The event will be held at the Early Lions Club building on Garmon Dr.   Watch for drop off locations around Brown County beginning at the end of August (see list below).

Suggested Items Are Listed Below:

  • Food Items ~SMALL PACKAGES PLEASE ~ no homemade items

Beef Jerky, Granola Bars, Individually Wrapped Hard Candy, Slim Jims Dip & Canned Chips, Sweetened Kool-Aid, Gatorade, Etc., Chewing Gum, Tuna in Pouches, Store-Bought Cookies

  • Toiletries – small containers ~ TRAVEL size

Foot Powder, Q-Tips, Lip Balm, Shaving Gel , Hand Sanitizer Wet Wipes Sunscreen Toothpaste & Toothbrushes

  • Small Hand Held Games ~ Crossword & Word Search Puzzle Books
  • Anything with Texas on it…postcards, nail clippers, bumper stickers, etc.

Deadline for donations is Friday, October 28, 2011

The following drops off locations are available:

  • Citizens National Bank – Main Lobby
  • Texas Bank – Main Lobby & Lake Branch
  • Brownwood Chamber of Commerce
  • Early Chamber of Commerce
  • VFW Post 3278 – Brownwood
  • American Legion Post 308 – Bangs
  • Bangs Drug Mart
  • Wendlee Broadcasting
  • KOXE-FM
  • Heartland Mall – Early
  • TSTC Campus
  • Joe Dan’s Café – Park Road 15
  • Brown County Veterans Service Office

To arrange pickup of donations or if you would like additional information about the project contact:  Joyce Leidig – 325-784-5014 or Babs Shields – 325-643-1259