Marilyn Holland (left) drops off donations for Trudy’s care packages for our deployed troops. Photo by Priscilla Wardlow
Susan Knox Wilson
When Trudy Shaffer finally heard from her recently deployed husband, she was dismayed to learn he and his comrades did not have access to some of the bare necessities you and I take for granted. Trudy is our PebbleCreek financial operations assistant manager. Her husband, Kurt, is a combat communications specialist with the U.S. Air Force sent to Africa a short time ago.
“He is deployed at a small base in a very remote area and when he was finally able to communicate with me, he said he was astonished at the lack of basic necessities that our servicemen and women have access to,” Trudy shared. “Toilet paper, for example, is a commodity! The water is so dirty, they can’t use it to wash their hands and have to use hand sanitizer instead, and it’s so dusty there that eye drops are an absolute necessity.”
For so many of our courageous troops deployed thousands of miles away for months at a time, simple life conveniences are not always available. Items like personal grooming and hygiene products, snacks, or magazines are not always possible to obtain when living and working in a secluded and remote duty station.
“There is limited space on the transports that serve the duty stations and personnel and mission-essential equipment take priority over those items that may not be life-sustaining,” Trudy noted. “But it’s those ‘non-essential’ items that help make life in a deployed location feel a bit more like home and help boost morale.
“So, I decided to do something to help our brave service men and women,” Trudy continued. “I am collecting needed items and will ship them every week for the next few months. I would like to invite anyone in the community who is willing to donate, to join me in my effort.”
In early February, Trudy asked PebbleCreek HOA Board Vice President, Bob Parks, to post her request for donations on the community e-group. She made a list of items that the unit had requested, things that they had difficulties obtaining regularly (see side-bar). To date, Trudy’s request has been met with incredible support from PebbleCreek residents and employees. In just one month, over 25 care packages have been shipped and the donations are still coming in waves. In addition to collecting items for the care packages, Trudy is doing all the wrapping and shipping.
“I’m a little overwhelmed by all the generosity,” Trudy admitted, “and my guest room is piled high with donations, but I have the boxing and shipping down to a science and am just so grateful everyone wants to help our servicemen and women. Each care box costs $19.60 to ship and, thankfully, I have been getting cash donations to help cover the cost.
“When you are sent halfway around the globe, receiving care packages such as these remind you why you are doing what you do and reassure you that people are grateful and thinking about you while they anxiously await your return home. I know the men and women of the 55th Combat Communications Squadron thank each PebbleCreek resident who has gone out of their way to make their life exponentially better while they are away from home—and I thank them all, too!”
Donations can be brought to Trudy Shaffer in the Administration Office located in the Activities Complex on Eagle’s Nest side, Tuesday through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The donation period will be ongoing through June 15. If you have any questions, please call Trudy at 623-535-8871, option 5.