Tamara Browning: Union 'adopts' soldiers in Iraq
From the State Journal Register
Local union members have "adopted" several soldiers in the Illinois National Guard 3637th Maintenance Company who haven't received any packages from home while in Iraq.
Service Employees International Union LOCAL 73 union members have collected donated food and snack items to be shipped to six of 12 soldiers who haven't received packages (six others have been adopted by another group).
The situation pulled at the heartstrings of PAMELA FERNANDEZ-RUBLE, who suggested that the soldiers might not have received anything yet because of families undergoing hardships.
"I just can't imagine being that far away in the war and not receiving anything. It's got to be hard. You see other people getting stuff," said Fernandez-Ruble, who works for the vehicle services department of the Secretary of State's Office.
"It takes my mind back to when my brother (Denny Kendall) was in Vietnam. I didn't have any money (to send him anything). He was one of those poor ones sitting in the corner with no box.
"It's like, 'Oh, we've got to do something. We can't have them sitting over there not getting any goodies.' "
LUAN HINDS-PRICE, who also works in the same department as Fernandez-Ruble, is married to TYRONE PRICE, who is stationed in Iraq and has helped compile a list of soldiers needing packages.
"He told her that there were about 12 soldiers over there that haven't received anything at all since they've been there.
"It's kind of close to us because we know we're doing something for six individuals who have gotten nothing. Maybe they don't have any family members. Maybe they're too poor to ship stuff."
Among the food/snacks donated were popcorn, candy, cookies, hot chocolate, hot teas, crackers, peanut butter, jelly and foods that can be cooked in the microwave. There are also fun items such as puzzles, cards and Christmas decorations. Each box will have a Christmas card signed by all employees of the sixth floor of the Howlett Building. There are approximately 100 employees on the floor.
"He said they don't need stuff that the Army gives them. Most of the guys are missing just the snack foods," Fernandez-Ruble said.
The public is welcome to help with donations (food, snacks, money), which may be delivered for the next couple of weeks at the northwest entrance of the Howlett Building, Second and Edwards streets.
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