‘Care packages have made a huge difference’

Appreciation from overseas soldiers is trickling in as they receive care packages donated and prepared by a local organization.

For the last three months, CNMI Operation Homefront Support has been gathering and packaging items to mail to men and women serving overseas. More than 250 gift boxes were mailed out a few weeks ago and they now are arriving at their destinations. Five soldiers—Philip Aldan, Jeffrey Sablan, Clement Kaipat, Norman Deleon Guerrero and Patrick Ogo—currently serving in Kuwait recently received the gift boxes containing items such as food, newspapers and magazines, and letters from school children.

“We would also like to send out our gratitude to all the students who wrote letters of support and encouragement,” they wrote in an e-mail. “The care packages and letters have made a huge difference during our deployment. We understand that although it may be difficult for us here in theater, it is also hard for those we have left behind back home and we would like to thank the CNMI community for showing us you care.”

Capt. Clarence P. Tenorio, stationed in Hawaii, also recently received his package in the mail. He also was grateful for the gift box, especially the cards and notes from the students.

The notes of appreciation are a thrill to one of the organizers of Operation Homefront Support.

“To see the twinkle in their eyes, it gives me goose bumps,” said Geri Willis, director of the Troops-to-Teachers program.

Willis and Troops-to-Teachers staff members Fred Camacho and Jill Arenovski said they would like to thank the following people for their help and support:

– American Red Cross: John Hirsh & Kennedy Benjamin for logistics, organization, meeting center, mailing boxes and postage label printing. Also for purchasing additional cookies to ensure all soldiers get them!

– MCV: Mark Birmingham, for banners/stickers/TV advertisements;

– Gov. Benigno Fitial, first lady Josie Fitial, Lt. Gov. Tim Villagomez, and Cabinet members, for Spam/chicharon/CD mangoes;

– Jon Bargfrede (Bank of Saipan), postage for 250-plus boxes;

– Schoolchildren from Marianas High School, Oleai Elementary, William S Reyes Elementary, San Vicente Elementary, Rota Jr. High and Rota Elementary, Kagman Elementary, Tinian, Koblerville Elementary School, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary, Saipan International School, who wrote letters and made drawings, as well as donated canned goods;

– Knitting Club, for hand knit beanie caps made by Sylvia Haywood, Janet Jensen, Jill Arenovski, Jane Kong, Ling Bei, Eve Deleon Guerrero, Melanie Daly, and Cynthia Guevarra. Yarn donations from Jim Faiella, Melanie Daly, and others.

– [I]Saipan Tribune[/I] newspapers
[I] – Beach Road Magazines[/I] [I] – Saipan Tribune[/I] and [I]Marianas Variety[/I], articles of support and media coverage

– PTI, for face-to-face communication between troopers and families;

– Kathryn Barry and Ed Manglona, volunteers for packing boxes;

– Mr. Horiguchi, six cases of coconut chips;

– Sen. Pete Reyes, for tuna and other canned goods;

– Rep. David Apatang, for SPAM/corned beef;

– Angelo Villagomez, indigenous T-shirts;

– Drs. Ken & Crystal Pierson (Seventh Day Adventist Dental Clinic), toothbrushes, magazines;

– Lori Serna, dental floss;

– VFW, phone cards;

– Army Reserve Center, storage, tables and chairs;

– Armed Forces Committee, Chamber of Commerce—Judge David Wiseman, Doug Brennan;

– Joeten affiliates/Price Costco/Twins Market—in-store advertisements and donations;

– Tinian Fleming’s Store—in-store advertisement and donations;

– Legislative Bureau;

– Herman’s Bakery;

– Maria Quitaqua Babauta, for doni, soba, tuna;

– Hafa Adai Bakery, for local baked goodies;

– Northern Marianas College president Carmen Fernandez, for pens; and

– Ruth Coleman, executive officer, Military & Veteran Affairs.