12/04//2003
Local volunteers making a difference for overseas soldiers
By MEGAN WEGNER
Pulaski County Reporter
WINAMAC--It's another example of how sometimes the smallest towns make the biggest impact.
When Winamac resident Kathi Lange found out a friend was headed overseas to Kuwait and then Iraq, she wanted to find a way to support soldiers like him. She researched military web sites and came across an organization called Operation Interdependence™ (OI™)--a volunteer program founded by a retired marine with an ambitious mission: to provide each deployed platoon a box with enough treats, necessities, and letters of encouragement for each member, for each month of their tour duty.
"I liked the program because one box could reach 50 soldiers," Lange explains. "OI™ also uses it's own inspectors, so it doesn't tax military resources, like time and people that would have to inspect packages otherwise."
She started by sending one box a month. Since then, Francesville has become one of three OI™ shipping locations nationwide and is expected to soon ship over 40 boxes per month to soldiers overseas.
"The founder of OI™, Al Renteria, sent an e-mail saying he needed more shipping locations," explains Lange. " I thought it was something our community would support."
She was right. Since she began volunteering with the program in March, Lange has received huge contributions from local businesses and residents. Earlier this year Good Oil Company of Winamac donated over $1500 worth of supplies for the cause. Recently the Town and Country Women club donated $300 to help pay for shipping costs.
Lange, who works at AdaptaSoft in Francesville, also needed space for the operation. Tim Troxel, AdaptaSoft President, didn't hesitate in offering the entire second story of his office space for the cause, stating, "They needed a big, empty building, and we had the space!"
Packages of perishable and non-perishable items, as well as letters of support, will be shipped from across the country to the Francesville OI™ shipping center. Once received, Lange orchestrates the packing of boxes in one of two ways. "Packing parties" may be hosted, where volunteers donate a couple of hours to help inspect materials and pack them in boxes. Or individuals and organizations may choose the "Adopt-a-Box" option, in which they pack and ship boxes on their own time.
"The whole projects been quite an undertaking," states Mary Jane Hall, a packing volunteer from the Winamac Nazarene Church. "'I've enjoyed helping with the program since we first heard about it."
Today the second story of AdaptaSoft is full of boxes upon boxes of goods, from sample-sized shampoos to socks to phone cards. While donations are appreciated, there are several precautions taken. No envelopes, homemade goods, or twist wrap candies can be sent overseas for security purposes. All food and personal items must have the original manufacturer's seal in tact. Small items are ideal, as three or four items are placed in each plastic bag, one of which goes to each soldier in a platoon.
The packages average one and a half weeks in shipping time and are shipped wherever American troops are stationed across the world.
"Right now we really need help in three areas: volunteer time, shipping costs, and support letters," Lange explains, adding that letters are by far the most valued item by soldiers, especially with the holidays approaching. Eastern Pulaski Elementary School just finished Christmas ornaments to include in packages to be shipped before the holidays.
According to founder Al Renteria, OI™ has set a goal to reach 50,000 troops by Christmas, which they are well on their way to achieving.
"Al came to visit Pulaski County and talk about the program," explains Lange. "He was overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm for the program, especially coming from such a small town."
Want to help?
Organizations are encouraged to participate in the Adopt-a-Box or Adopt-a-Platoon programs. Shipping donations are also appreciated. It costs $30 to ship each box of 50 packages. If you'd like to support Operation Interdependence™ by volunteering, sending letters, or with a shipping donation, contact Kathi Lange at (574) 946-4992 or klange@pwrtc.com.