Letter-writing campaign for soldiers is created

Area sisters implement program

By:Vanessa S, Holt
   FLORENCE — Two local sisters want to make things brighter for military personnel from the area who are called to duty by filling their overseas mailboxes with bright cards and encouraging letters from children and supportive adults of all ages.
   "I couldn’t volunteer, but I wanted to do something," said Donna Chambers, whose husband, John, retired from the U.S. Navy in 1998 after 17 years of service.
   The idea of a letter-writing campaign occurred to Ms. Chambers last week as she tried to think of a way she and other people in the community could show their support for those who will leave home for military service.
   During last week’s candlelight vigil by the Delaware River, she discussed the idea with her sister, Aleshia Greenfield, and they decided to begin gathering names of local people who have been called to duty.
   Ms. Chambers recalled the hundreds of firefighters, police and military personnel who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
   "Nobody got a chance to tell them thank you," she said.
   She said she hopes this letter-writing campaign will be one way to let people know how much they are appreciated.
   Lists and drop boxes will be posted at Florence Township Memorial High School and Middle School, the Marcella L. Duffy Elementary School and Roebling Elementary School.
   Letters, cards, and postcards are all welcome from people of all ages, she said.
   Among the names they have already collected are several area police officers.
   Anyone with a family member or friend from the area who has been deployed is invited to send information about the individual’s name, rank and address to Ms. Chambers and Ms. Greenfield.
   Although they are initially concentrating on people from the Florence area, they will probably expand to include military personnel from nearby towns and some personnel from local bases.
   "Most people don’t realize that it means as much coming from a 10-year-old as it does from an adult," said Ms. Chambers.
   She said arrangements could be made to pick up letters from people who are not able to go to the drop-off points.
   "It’s already taking off like skyrockets," said Ms. Chambers. "It doesn’t matter how much work it is; we’ll do whatever we have to do to get this stuff out. We want to let them know that people back here haven’t forgotten them."
   Ms. Greenfield said she knew how much servicemen and women look forward to receiving mail when they are far from home. Her husband, John, served in the U.S. Navy through 1988.
   The campaign won’t stop with just one letter, she said. People are invited to submit letters on a regular basis for as long as the troops are away.
   Students will be able to carry on regular correspondence with military personnel with uplifting, encouraging messages.
   "They will be writing letters constantly," she said.
   They suggest that children not ask personal questions, but talk about their own day-to-day lives and let the troops know that people back home are thinking about them, proud of them and standing confidently behind them.
   "Anyone can take the time to sit down and do something," said Ms.Chambers. "It could only take 10 minutes to write a letter or two minutes to write a postcard, and it’s going to help a lot."
   If you have a family member or loved one who has been called upon to fulfill their military duties and would like to put their names on the list for correspondence contact Donna Chambers at (609) 499-3605 or Aleshia Greenfield at (609) 499-8059. Please include the name, rank and address of the person you are placing on the list.
   Drop boxes for letters or cards will be located in high school and middle schools offices and security office, and in the offices of the Roebling and Duffy schools within the next several weeks.
   Contact Donna or Aleshia if you need someone to pick up letters at your home.