2008 Woodie Awards
NSCS launching drive for troops
Leigh Patton
Managing Editor
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The University of South Alabama chapter of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars is organizing a drive to collect holiday packages for USA students and alumni that are in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The main purpose of this drive is to provide troops with small packages of sundry items in time for the holiday," said Dr. Mara Kozelsky, assistant professor in the history department. "We are targeting USA students and alumni who are deployed."
The USA chapter of NSCS is working with Lt. Col. Oakland McCulloch, professor of military sciences, to help compile names from his USA ROTC alumni list.
Casy Knight is the community service officer for the USA chapter of NSCS and proposed that they work with Operation Shoebox, which is a non-profit organization in Bellview, Fla., that supports troops. "After discussion with students and colleagues, including the chair of the history department, we decided to focus on USA students," Kozelsky said. "If we receive more donations than we have USA recipients, we plan to send the remainder to Operation Shoebox who will pass care packages on to troops most in need."
The items NSCS are interested in are hygienic supplies such as deodorant, shampoos, conditioners, Q-tips, wetwipes, etc., as well as magazines, candy, chewing gum, cookies, beef jerky or anything that does not melt. Another great item that has been popular amongst care packages to soldiers is silly string. According to a military student, it "identifies where trip wires are and has saved many a soldier's life." Small boxes are also needed for packaging and mailing.
"I think that adding USA stickers, pens and pencils and such to the packages will underscore to our students and alumni that the spirit of the University stands behind them," Kozelsky said. You can find more items that are needed by visiting the Web site http://www.operationshoebox.com.
Founded by Mary Harper, Operation Shoebox is an organization that was created after her four sons, one daughter and son-in-law were all deployed in 2003. "Initially focused on her own family and friends, Operation Shoebox now has 500 volunteers and sends approximately 1,000 care packages a week," Kozelsky said.
USA students can get involved by donating whole care packages or just items. They can also help sort, pack and label packages, which NSCS will be doing at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 in the Humanities Building, room 150. Others are donating money to support the mailing because each package will cost about $10 to mail.
The USA chapter of NSCS is still generating a list of USA students and alumni. If anyone knows of any students or alumni in Iraq, please contact Mara Kozelsky at (251) 460-7377 or by e-mail at mkozelsky@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.
Items can be dropped off in the history department room 344 in the Humanities Building now through Monday, Nov. 12. For packing and planning purposed, items are preferable to be received by Friday, Nov. 9.
The USA chapter of NSCS is working with Lt. Col. Oakland McCulloch, professor of military sciences, to help compile names from his USA ROTC alumni list.
Casy Knight is the community service officer for the USA chapter of NSCS and proposed that they work with Operation Shoebox, which is a non-profit organization in Bellview, Fla., that supports troops. "After discussion with students and colleagues, including the chair of the history department, we decided to focus on USA students," Kozelsky said. "If we receive more donations than we have USA recipients, we plan to send the remainder to Operation Shoebox who will pass care packages on to troops most in need."
The items NSCS are interested in are hygienic supplies such as deodorant, shampoos, conditioners, Q-tips, wetwipes, etc., as well as magazines, candy, chewing gum, cookies, beef jerky or anything that does not melt. Another great item that has been popular amongst care packages to soldiers is silly string. According to a military student, it "identifies where trip wires are and has saved many a soldier's life." Small boxes are also needed for packaging and mailing.
"I think that adding USA stickers, pens and pencils and such to the packages will underscore to our students and alumni that the spirit of the University stands behind them," Kozelsky said. You can find more items that are needed by visiting the Web site http://www.operationshoebox.com.
Founded by Mary Harper, Operation Shoebox is an organization that was created after her four sons, one daughter and son-in-law were all deployed in 2003. "Initially focused on her own family and friends, Operation Shoebox now has 500 volunteers and sends approximately 1,000 care packages a week," Kozelsky said.
USA students can get involved by donating whole care packages or just items. They can also help sort, pack and label packages, which NSCS will be doing at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 in the Humanities Building, room 150. Others are donating money to support the mailing because each package will cost about $10 to mail.
The USA chapter of NSCS is still generating a list of USA students and alumni. If anyone knows of any students or alumni in Iraq, please contact Mara Kozelsky at (251) 460-7377 or by e-mail at mkozelsky@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.
Items can be dropped off in the history department room 344 in the Humanities Building now through Monday, Nov. 12. For packing and planning purposed, items are preferable to be received by Friday, Nov. 9.
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