It's tough over there, and soldiers are often homesick. But a Rochester woman is determined to ease the emotional pain of war.

Katherine Lange originally began sending a box full of 50 baggies of much needed items to various locations where American soldiers were stationed.

"I got in touch with a retired Marine in Oceanside, Calif., who started Operation Interdependence," said Lange. "He was in Desert Storm and he saw mail get caught up or bottlenecked when there wasn't enough help to pass it out." He knew what the soldiers would need and began sending things to active military overseas, said Lange.

"I've been involved since March 2003. I became a coordinator and adopted a unit of soldiers. I collected a box of items such as sealed foods, toiletries, books and games and sent them to California. I began with one box of 50 little baggies."

With so much support from the area, Lange began sending two boxes of items, which would be passed to two units. Soon her donations grew even more.

"I have sent as many as 120 boxes a month, which supported 6,000 soldiers," she said. "But now we are down to 40 a month, supporting 2,000 soldiers, which is so much easier."

Along with three other volunteers, Judi Lange, Mary Jane Hall and Lynn Wilder, all of Winamac, Lange will pack the donated items in quart-sized baggies and store them in boxes to be sent to the men serving in various places all over the world. "I have packing parties about once a month with about 15 to 20 people," she said. "We usually pack about 40 boxes. And, sometimes the youth groups from the churches will help.

"Mike Blinn, of Winamac, donated our storage facility," she said. "We have several drop spots. In Winamac, donations may be dropped at Rife Heavy Duty, Smith Motor Service, Gilman T.V. and Appliances, and at the PACE office. In Francesville, they may be taken to the Peoples State Bank. And, in Monticello, items may be dropped off at Sugardog or Fairnet."

Anyone who wishes to do so may donate items. "Everything must remain in its original packaging," said Lange, noting that the donations must also be non-perishable. "Each item should be small enough to fit into a quart-sized baggie. I think the most important gifts are letters.

"Since everything is inspected here, it doesn't impact their (the military's) resources. Being the total force coordinator, I run the Indiana warehouse and I keep in contact with the unit, making sure they get the boxes and stopping or slowing down shipments when needed. Basically, what we do is confirm with the unit commander what is needed." Lange also manages new volunteers' shipments, finding units to which the items will be shipped.

Operation Interdependence has touched troops in Cuba, Germany, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait. Along with Indiana, the states of New Jersey, Kentucky Minnesota, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Oregon and Colorado all have offices, with California having two.

Lange volunteers approximately 10 to 20 hours each week on Operation Interdependence. "After the next shipment, the warehouse will be pretty empty," she said. "We will need donations. Hotel soaps and shampoos are great, sacked foods, and I am trying to get Christmas cards to send to every soldier. We will accept monetary donations, which goes to help with the cost of shipping."

Thursday, Lange will accept a check and donations from North Judson Middle School. They have been collecting donations and money for Operation Interdependence for the last month and a half.

Those who wish to adopt a unit, donate items or money to Operation Interdependence may call Lange at (574) 224-6000, (219) 869-1831, or via e-mail at klange@oidelivers.org

Donations may be made at one of the following Donation Stations:

·  Winamac: Smith Motors, 435 N. Northwest St.; PACE, Monticello St. (near the Courthouse); Rife Heavy Duty, 1024S U.S. 35, Gilman TV and Appliance, U.S. 35

·  Monticello: SugarDog, 106 W. Harrison St.; Fairnet, North Main St.

·  Francesville: People's State Bank

Needed items

·  Toiletry Items: (Trial size or smaller items work best) Soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, tissue, toilet paper, lotion, powder, deodorant

·  Foods: Breakfast-type foods and drinks, cereal bars, granola bars, Special-K bars; Campbell's chunky soups, chicken, beef; canned tuna, chicken, turkey; canned Chef Boy-Ar-Dee ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs in the zip-top or easy to open cans; canned chips, such as the small canned Pringles, Doritos; pre-sweetened powdered drinks, Kool-Aid, Gatorade; Lil' Debbie snacks, brownies, snack cakes, nothing with icing that will melt; pancake mix or mixes requiring only adding water; packs of candy, gum, trail mix.

·  Miscellaneous: Quart-size Baggies, hand warmers, DEET insect spray, pens, paper, no stamps or envelopes as they get free mail; international phone cards

·  Entertainment: Holiday items such as small trees under a foot, small or handmade ornaments, Christmas cards; comics and paperback books, crossword puzzle books; DVDs and CDs; GameBoys and the games; magazines and newspapers; sports items such as baseballs, footballs and Frisbees

Cheryl Carmin Shaver may be contacted at 732-5143, or via e-mail at cheryl.shaver@pharostribune.com