Gifts For Wounded Veterans

With the Holiday season coming, everyone thinks of our armed forces personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world. Often forgotten are those who come home wounded. Three or four days after being wounded, Veterans arrive at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC for treatment.

In cooperation with retired Colonel Oliver North's Freedom Alliance, the Mt. Carroll First Baptist Church gathers and sends gifts to the hospital.

"Two years ago, we shipped a total of 10 boxes," said John H. McConnel, who chairs the committee at MCFBC. "We had to skip last year due to health issues. This summer, we sent two boxes, and our goal is to send 10 more boxes for Christmas."

Items needed by both men and women are shaving supplies, moisturizing lotion, deodorant, tooth paste and brushes, bagged snacks and candy (Nothing that melts), books, stationery, stamps, and pens, throw-away cameras, gift and phone cards, games, CD's and DVD's.

"Please, new clothing only," McConnel asked. "for men and women, including socks, T-shirts, pajamas, shirts, jeans and under clothing. We also need money to help pay for shipping, which runs about $20 per box. If we have any money left over, we buy more gifts."

McConnel added that one item that they constantly run out of are "flip-flop" sandals. They are needed for showers. Jigsaw puzzles are also a much-needed commodity. They are used to help train people with artificial hands. "Their new hands would crush other people's hands just shaking hands. The jigsaw puzzles teach them control of their power."

To avoid higher shipping costs, the items need to be shipped by December 12. Article may be dropped off at the VFW in downtown Savanna, THE National Bank in downtown Mt. Carroll, and the First Baptist Church, 203 S. Main St. in Mt. Carroll.

For more information, contact Rev. Bob Ziebarth at , or John McConnel at .