Photo By Sgt. Stephanie Woodson | Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and...... read more read more
FORT BENNING, Ga. - When you see a truck with United Van Lines marked on it, it’s safe to assume Soldiers are just arriving or leaving Fort Benning, not dropping off Girl Scout cookies to the Fort Benning community.
On June 11, 2014, Hugs for Soldiers delivered eight pallets of Girl Scout cookies to Soldiers assigned to Fort Benning. The Soldiers of Sledgehammer Brigade received approximately 6,000 boxes of 15,000 that were delivered to Kelley Hill’s Truscott Center.
The Hugs for Soldiers at Duluth First United Methodist Church was founded in February 2003 by Angie Doerlich.
Doerlich said the most requested items by our troops are Girl Scout cookies.
“Hugs for Soldiers began working with the Duluth Girl Scout Service Unit in 2004. During the first year of operation, Taste of Home and Hugs for Soldiers, with the help of the Duluth community, collected more than 750 boxes of cookies for the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, when they returned home from Iraq,” she added.
In 2003, during the Panther Battalion’s deployment with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the church adopted the 2-69th Armor Regiment, and more than 200 care packages filled with snacks, personal care items, and letters were sent to Soldiers, added Doerlich.
Grateful for the invitations to attend “Smiles4military” cookies send off event in April, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and the community purchased nearly 16,400 boxes of cookies. We (Hugs for Soldiers) wanted to make sure every Soldier in 3rd ABCT got a box, explained Doerlich.
“Hugs for Soldiers don’t just send cookies, we also pack Christmas bags and care packages for deployed Soldiers and welcome home bags when they return,” stated Ann Reifert, a second year volunteer and member of the Duluth First United Methodist Church.
“Everyone here has been wonderful. Being here gives us a good heart-warm feeling. If it were not for the young men and women supporting our United States, we would be in deep trouble,” she added.
Riefert said they give all their hearts and love to every branch of the armed forces.
Hugs for Soldiers sends care packages for deployed U.S. troops all year long. The organization also mails Heart & Hugs Valentine’s cards, compiles Welcome Home Hero bags, accepts donations of Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn for the Taste of Home program. They also collect food for a Thanksgiving food drive for military families facing hardships.
For more information, visit the website: hugsforsoldiers.org
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2014 15:54 |
| Story ID: | 133068 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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