5 months ago Ashley brought the idea to the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary - in which she is the youngest member - and quickly became the chair of the project. Collecting was not difficult as the residents of Copperopolis readily gave by donating in the red coffee cans that had been placed about town. What Ashley found daunting was the task of correctly shipping packages to troops in need.
As most would think a general delivery would be acceptable, Ashley found that it was not. The military requires that each package be shipped to an individual and then that individual can disperse the contents of the box to his/her platoon. Ashley knew a few folks in the military as did some women from the auxiliary but Copperopolis had been so generous Ashley needed to find more. After calling recruiters, the VFW district Office and the Oakdale National Guard she was finally sent to Columbia National Guard who helped her along her way with names and addresses.
Upon arrival at the post office, and two trips to the car with a large push basket, Ashley was told to fill out a customs form for each of the 25 boxes. Along with Shirley Burke and Charity Maness, Ashley was able to fill out the forms in record time, with patrons of the post office commending her for her efforts and postal employees helping where they could, Ashley finally got to say good-bye to the boxes.
"I just want our service people to know that we ARE thinking of them, that we DO care about them." Said Ashley.
When asked if she would do this again she replied, "I am ready." Not daunted by this experience one bit Ashley hopes to do this again and hopes to reach more troops with not only the packages but with the knowledge that we back here in America DO care.
By,
Charity Maness
