SoldiersTopAnchor

Outreach to

Our U.S. Soldiers

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Assembling “Care Packages” of donations in First Baptist Church’s Memorial Hall.  This is where it all begins.

    FBC’s Women’s Fellowship members usually pack and ship all contributions. It’s a big job and they do it well.
   Soldiers usually help out by sending a special “needs” list to help guide our gift choices. Finally we decoratively wrap the contents, reflecting a particular holiday or special occasion. Then off to the Post Office!

Currently, FBC is sending Care Packages to Sarah Alcock (a relative of First Baptist Church members) for distribution to soldiers in Iraq.

Exerpt from 12/22/2005 email from Sarah Alcock to her family:

   “Merry Christmas! (almost)  I have been innundated with boxes from First Baptist!  I couldn't open my wall locker yesterday, there were so many boxes in front of it!  I am overwhelmed by their generosity.  The best thing I saw in there though (and I don't think I even mentioned this to you) was that there was conditioner, which they hardly ever have at the PX.... I opened the tins that came (the other, more wrapped looking items I am saving for Christmas); what a treat!  Love, Sarah”

Exerpt from 12/25/2005 email from Sarah Alcock to her family:

   “Well, Christmas is almost over here.  Just like home, my tummy hurts from too many sweets in too short a time period, I didn't get to sleep as late as I wanted, and I have to find a place for my new things.  Some other things were not so like home, but all in all, it was not bad....Last night was tough.  I'm looking forward to next Christmas!  Thank you so much for my Christmas gifts, the shower gels all smell so good, I can't decide which one I want to try first.  I may break my own rule of "always have to finish the one you are using to start the next one."
   A funny thing happened when I took the books to the library we have in our little MWR facility.  First of all, word always spreads like wildfire when there are new books in the library.  But what was funny this time was that word got out that there were girl books in this batch.  Before I could put the books on the shelf, I had other women reaching around me to get into the box to see what was in there!....We had a very nice meal, turkey and normal stuffing (the Thanksgiving stuffing had a slightly mexican aftertaste!), with shrimp cocktail and about five kinds of potatos!  There were practically life-sized Santa Claus cakes, and of course, helicopter ice sculptures (we are aviation!)....Love, Sarah”

First Baptist Church also supported Jeffrey Williams (a relative of a FBC member) in Afghanistan. Here are photos of the Christmas contributions that FBC sent Jeff and his troop.

2005 Christmas -- Bagram Blue Star

Email from Jeff’s mother:
“Was on IM with Jeff in wee hrs of the morning ....he has received all packages from you guys (FBC)! He thanks you for the thermal underwear and was quite excited to have so many pairs to keep warm in. He has tons of good munchies/goodies from home....thanks to you!!  I thank you also for thinking of him so generously during the holidays. He’s hoping to get out of there by end of March he said....”

(l. to r.) Cynthia Rizzo (mother), Chris, Cheryl Rizzo (wife), Joe Rizzo (father)

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Also see: 
Local Outreach   National Outreach   International Outreach   Sick/Shut-in Outreach