Community Corner

Milpitas Girl Scouts Send Holiday Cards, Goodies to Troops in Afghanistan

Thirty-six boxes full of roughly 4,000 holiday cards, as well as hot cocoa, candy and other goodies, were packaged and sent to American troops in Afghanistan this week by the Milpitas Girl Scouts.

This article and the accompanying photos were sent to Milpitas Patch by reader Michelle Eacret. Do you have a story, blurb or photos you'd like to see posted on Milpitas Patch? If so, e-mail it to Editor Jennifer van der Kleut at JVDKreporting@gmail.com.

The holidays will be a little bit brighter this year for a group of American troops stationed in Afghanistan, thanks to the Milpitas Girl Scouts.

Monday marked the eighth annual Milpitas Girl Scout "Operation Holiday Cards" sorting and packing party, which took place at . Milpitas Girl Scouts of all ages - from the "Daisies" in kindergarten and first grade, all the way up to adult Girl Scouts - gathered at the church to pack boxes to send to troops in Afghanistan, filled with original holiday cards hand-made by Girl Scouts from all over northern California, as well as more than 500 pieces of donated Halloween candy, Ghirardelli hot chocolate mix, Girl Scout cookies and nuts. A total of 36 boxes were filled.

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During the sorting and packing party, the girls and their families bundled piles of cards by size and type, and tied them with traditional yellow ribbons, which symbolize support for American troops fighting overseas. More than 4,000 cards were collected this year.

Also included in each box was a letter explaining the girl scouts' service project, which read:

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Our hope is to bring some cheer from 'home' to help brighten up the holidays for those serving their country.  We’ve also included some candy goodie bags, made mostly from donated Halloween candy to sweeten your holidays, and Girl Scout nuts, candy, and/or cookies which will help you remember that Girl Scouts are thinking of you every day.”

As a finishing touch, Santa hats were also added to the boxes so that each service member can play Santa by handing out what was sent to them, to others.

About 35 Milpitas Girl Scouts were on hand to help with the sorting and packing party,which was organized by adult volunteers Sam Werback and Michelle Eacret. Sam and her husband Andy’s daughter, Katie, is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan. In tribute to their daughter, they flew their “Blue Star” flag and a picture of Katie for all the girls to see.

The packages will be sent to 15 service members, most of whom are serving in Afghanistan.


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