(Oct. 8, 2015) Star Charities’ monthlong holiday collection for the troops started Oct. 1, as the nonprofit annually gathers nonperishable items for soldiers on active duty overseas.
Organizer Anna Foultz said the collection began as an effort led by her late husband, Carl.
“He started it, I forget how many years ago now, and then when he passed away five years ago, we decided to keep doing it until we can’t do it anymore,” she said. “It would be very heartbreaking not to do it and we love our soldiers. Anything we can do for them we do it.”
Items such as toiletries are a priority, according to Foultz, who said the annual drive has always been well received by members of the military.
“They all say that they appreciate something from home,” she said. “It makes them feel good, and like my husband said when he was in China, Burma and India, he was so worried because you couldn’t get toilet paper, you couldn’t get powder and things that they needed. That’s how he got this started many years ago.”
Keeping the memory of her husband, and his philanthropy, alive has also meant a great deal to Foultz.
“It makes me feel so proud of my husband, who was so good about being in the service,” she said, “I feel close to the soldiers in a way that my heart is just lifted. I don’t live for anything else. What is there for me to live for except to help people?
“I want to do whatever I can to make them feel good,” Foultz added. “Whatever I can do, that’s what I’m doing.”
Foultz said people interested in contributing should look for the large black containers with the words, “holidays gifts for our soldiers.” The eight drop-off locations include libraries in Berlin, Ocean City and Ocean Pines, as well as the Community Center in Ocean Pines and the VFW on 66th Street in Ocean City.
At the end of the month, the National Guard will pick up the items and distribute them to members of the military.
Coming up, Star Charities will host its annual “Beef and Beer” fundraiser for wounded soldiers Jan. 8. For more information, call 410-641-7667.
Organizer Anna Foultz said the collection began as an effort led by her late husband, Carl.
“He started it, I forget how many years ago now, and then when he passed away five years ago, we decided to keep doing it until we can’t do it anymore,” she said. “It would be very heartbreaking not to do it and we love our soldiers. Anything we can do for them we do it.”
Items such as toiletries are a priority, according to Foultz, who said the annual drive has always been well received by members of the military.
“They all say that they appreciate something from home,” she said. “It makes them feel good, and like my husband said when he was in China, Burma and India, he was so worried because you couldn’t get toilet paper, you couldn’t get powder and things that they needed. That’s how he got this started many years ago.”
Keeping the memory of her husband, and his philanthropy, alive has also meant a great deal to Foultz.
“It makes me feel so proud of my husband, who was so good about being in the service,” she said, “I feel close to the soldiers in a way that my heart is just lifted. I don’t live for anything else. What is there for me to live for except to help people?
“I want to do whatever I can to make them feel good,” Foultz added. “Whatever I can do, that’s what I’m doing.”
Foultz said people interested in contributing should look for the large black containers with the words, “holidays gifts for our soldiers.” The eight drop-off locations include libraries in Berlin, Ocean City and Ocean Pines, as well as the Community Center in Ocean Pines and the VFW on 66th Street in Ocean City.
At the end of the month, the National Guard will pick up the items and distribute them to members of the military.
Coming up, Star Charities will host its annual “Beef and Beer” fundraiser for wounded soldiers Jan. 8. For more information, call 410-641-7667.