Learn how to help

BASCOM - Veterans Day is a special time to honor our military heroes. Volunteers from Bascom United Methodist Church do that by making care packages for our troops. Today they shared the experience with us.

The day starts with every woman's dream... Shopping of course. The volunteers get buy a combination of necessities and fun things— like yo-yos, playing cards and games.

Then it's time to get down to business.

After two years of making care packages together, they've become a well-oiled machine.

Not more than a handful of people make up this Dream Team. But don't let that fool you—

Volunteer Cathy Wells says, "We're small but mighty... That's what we decided."

Every few months— and especially at Christmas— they put together care packages for soldiers.

It's a selfless act, but not without its own rewards. The volunteers say they do it for the joy of giving.

And even though they don't expect anything in return, every now and then they do get something back— thank-you letters from soldiers.

The soldiers express their gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for their care packages, and more than anything, for thinking of them and praying for them.

Charlie Martin is one of the volunteers, and a Marine Corps veteran. He knows better than most just how much these packages mean.

Martin says, "You know, they've committed their lives... So the least we can do is pitch in and help them all we can. They've made a life commitment and they can lose it very easily where they're going."

More than anything, this group of volunteers wants to encourage others to pitch in.

Check out this website if you would like to send a care package to a soldier:

http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm

You can also contact Cathy Wells with Bascom United Methodist Church at 903-566-3032.