TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- Operation American Soldier is ready to ship packages of hope to troops who have little or no family support back here at home.
The organization collects comfort items to ship to soldiers who don’t have support from home and who would otherwise go empty handed at mail call.
“We have many soldiers who have been deployed who have come from broken homes and have entered the military in order to obtain a better life then what they currently have. It’s sometimes the only outlet they have to get away from a bad situation,” said Operation American Soldier organizer Christine Stalsonburg.
Brent Nichols works at Remerica, which serves as the local headquarter for Operation American Soldier. He has a long, distinguished military background and remembers what it was like seeing other soldiers without support from home.
“There is nothing sadder in the world than to see your troops walk away with their heads down and I can only imagine, having spent many years in the Middle East and Far East, how welcome these have to be,” Nichols said.
Operation American soldier collects donations year-round.
Donations to the program can be dropped off in Traverse City at Exit Realty, 803 W. Front; Remerica, 831 S. Garfield; Fast Signs at 841 S. Garfield; the Traverse Bay Inn at 2300 N. US 31 North or the Traverse Area Association of Realtors at 852 S. Garfield.
The Traverse Bay Inn is also donating toward the postage costs of the mailings.
