Comforts of Home

All too often I take for granted the comforts of home. Most of the time my favorite foods are in easy reach on the shelf in my cabinet. When my cupboards are bare, my comfortable car will take me to buy whatever I need. I was reminded today that military troops who are stationed in other countries don’t have luxuries.

As I was purchasing my items in the drug store, Tammy, the sales clerk, asked me if I would like to donate food items to military personnel. She showed me what was available to buy and I asked her to explain the program.

Tammy said that Adopt a Platoon (ADP), was started in 1998 by Isa Hagg when her son was deployed to Bosnia. He wrote home and asked his mother for people to send letters to his nine battle-buddies who received no mail. The program evolved to Isa asking people to adopt a platoon by pledging to send a minimum of one care package per month, cards or letters to service members.

Tammy adopted a platoon of 15 service men and women. They created a list of items that they needed consisting of food, clothing and toiletries. The drugstore allows her to tell people about the program. They sell more items and she gets to fill the care package. Tammy said her daughter made homemade peanut brittle to send along with store purchases. She pays the typical $51 shipping cost with her own money.

Today’s gift was buying items for her adopted platoon.  Tammy said it is the least she can do for what military personnel are enduring to serve our country. What a wonderful example she is demonstrating for her children. I’ll sleep a little better tonight in my warm bed, after my hot dinner, knowing I’m safe because of people who aren’t able to enjoy all the comforts of home will know someone cares about them.

In Giving,

Robin