Oak Park kids support U.S. troops
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

ROB GOLD/Special to the Acorn STOCKING STUFFERS- Members of the Oak Park High School Key Club are posted outside CVS in Agoura Hills to hand out soldiers' wish lists containing such items as socks, batteries and Q-tips. The club collected hundreds of items for American troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

American soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will have a little brighter holiday season away from home due to the efforts of a group of Oak Park High School students.

Members of the school's Key Club community service group held a drive on campus and at two local businesses the first week of December to collect care package goods to send to troops. Boxes were set up in classrooms so students could make donations. In addition, 16 members of the club braved the cold, windy weather Sunday to stand in front of CVS Pharmacy in Agoura Hills and the Pavilions market in Westlake Village handing wish lists to shoppers as they entered the stores.

Ninety grocery bags were filled to overflowing with snacks, personal care products, CDs, DVDs, games, socks, magazines, and $200 in cash donations to be put toward shipping costs. Tucked in were numerous appreciation letters written by students to soldiers. So much was collected that it took three trips by minivan and SUV to deliver everything to For the Troops in Simi Valley, the organization that handles the packing and shipping.

"A lot of people were very generous and gave a lot. We'd ask for a pack of gum and they would come out with bags of stuff," said sophomore Dani Gold, copresident of the club with senior Kelly Russell. "It makes me feel so happy that we can help the troops by donating things that we take for granted."

Several people declined to participate, but they were the minority, according to Dani.

"One man didn't want to donate because he said it wasn't his war," Dani said. "Supporters said they were proud of our efforts and that there should be more organizations supporting the troops."

Club members expressed appreciation to Oak Park High teachers, especially their adviser, history teacher Todd Creason, for supporting the effort in their classrooms.

"Everyone was really encouraging," said Jackie Mansky, a sophomore who helped organize the drive. "The teachers were really nice about it."

Club members wanted to do a major service project and heard about For the Troops from their Kiwanis adviser, Brad Lewis. For the Troops founders Paula Cornell of Simi Valley and Janie Josephson of Woodland Hills attended a lunchtime club meeting to talk to students about the project.

Cornell was impressed by the club's initiative in coming up with the idea of standing in front of stores and asking shoppers to participate.

"We have many groups participating but this is the first club that took it a step further," Cornell said. "They did it all on their own."

Cornell and Josephson have collected, sorted, assembled and shipped more than 3,300 care packages to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan in the two years that For the Troops has been in existence. Until a month ago the operation was primarily run out of Cornell's garage. For the holidays the women have access to a donated storefront where they are putting together the packages. They have received support from other area high schools, church groups and businesses.

"It's a real labor of love," said Cornell, who works part-time as a paralegal. "The soldiers have such gratitude and appreciation that it tugs at your heart. It's so fulfilling to do this small thing for people putting their lives on the line for our freedom and safety."

Cornell keeps a three-ring binder stuffed with thank-you letters from soldiers who received packages.

In a recent handwritten letter from Tikrit, Iraq, 1st Sgt. Jamie Worthy, a package recipient, wrote, "You brought joy to over 143 hearts. We ask that you continue to support the troops and keep us in your hearts."

It costs $8.95 to ship each shoebox-size care package to New Jersey, where the military takes over the shipping. Each box is stuffed with various items, along with a personalized letter from the women and appreciation letters from donors. The endeavor is a yearround one because, as Cornell puts it, "The troops aren't there just at the holidays; they're on the front lines all year long."

The public may contribute to For the Troops by calling (818) 262-7180 or visiting the website www.forthetroops.us.