News 14 Carolina | 24 Hour Local News | HEADLINES | Volunteers help soldiers overseas
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Volunteers help soldiers overseas
Updated: 6/15/2004 2:16 PM
By: Debbie Tanna & Web Staff
U.S. soldiers wounded in combat are getting help making the transition back home. Volunteers from a non-profit organization called Soldiers’ Angels are sending backpacks to combat support hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany.
Volunteers Peggy Baker (left) and Vicky Carter pack bags for soldiers wounded in combat.
The bags are filled with personal hygiene items, clothes and get well cards to help soldiers wounded in combat.
Tears of happiness from injured soldiers are a sign these volunteers are doing the job they set out to do.
“I've got some beautiful letters saying how much it meant to them to know people care,” said volunteer Peggy Baker. “Many tears have been shed by soldier when they see us and they talk about the fact these were there and couldn't believe there was something waiting for them.”
That small token of appreciation goes a long way to brighten the day of soldiers wounded in combat.
“For all of us, every single one of us, it's the best non-paying job we've ever had,” volunteer Liz Fuentes said.
Volunteers stuff clothing, personal hygiene items and other non-perishables into the combat backpacks. They say it's a labor of love.
“Because they need it, because they give me the freedoms to do what I want to do and they need my support,” volunteer Vicky Carter said.
Volunteers know first hand their work is appreciated and desperately needed by those who tend the wounded.
“We actually follow the soldiers from the combat support hospitals all the way to wherever they come back to the states and then we help their families get to their hospital to be by their soldier and a place to stay and to make all the arrangements and just try to be a comfort zone for them,” Baker explained.
Each package is sent with a heartfelt thank you.
Soldiers’ Angels is a non-profit group made up of more than 15,000 volunteers across the United States.
News 14 Carolina | 24 Hour Local News | HEADLINES | Volunteers help soldiers overseas
