The attached letter from a donor/volunteer in Arkansas was published in today's edition of the Sentinel Record in Arkansas ...

Dear Editor, 

 In the wake of this year’s Independence Day and in the weeks that followed, my faith in America was re-kindled.  Why, you ask??  Well let me just explain ...
Some time back in November of last year, I received an e-mail from my mother.  It was entitled “Send thanks to a soldier.” and contained a link to a website for a program started by XEROX called “Let’s say Thanks.”  On this website you can choose from an array of beautiful cards (designed by children), to send to the Troops on Xerox’s tab.  They send the cards along with care packages put together by Give2theTroops.

(Give2theTroops, Inc is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the physical, moral, and spiritual health of America’s armed forces in combat zones around the world through letters and care packages. It was founded by a Marine wife in 2002, and has 9 branches nationwide.)  I saw this and was amazed.  It sparked my interest.  I never realized there were people out there that did this for the troops.  I guess was one of those people who took things for granted, caught in that trap of thinking “someone takes care of it.”  But I saw this website with all the pictures of people all over the nation giving so freely, and thought “Hot Springs could do that!!”  An idea was born…

Over the next several months, I – along with several friends and family members whose help I enlisted! - began diligently working on a donation drive to collect care package items. I have to admit, when I first undertook this mission, I was a little worried.  I began by sending out over 100 letters to area businesses asking for help.  Responses were few and far between.  Finally though, I had assembled enough sponsors to fund my drive, and to those businesses I am incredibly grateful.  In the month preceding the drive, I began collecting items at drop-off locations around town.  Soon, I ran out of room in my apartment and had to start storing things in my parents’ dining room!  Even then, I couldn’t possibly know what was in store! 

As the day of the drive approached, I worried.  I wondered if people who were against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan would give us a hard time.  I wondered if people would pause from preparing for their busy 4^th of July weekends long enough to spend their hard-earned money on someone they had never even met.  I wondered if we would even collect enough things to make a difference.  My worries were quickly swept away.  As the day of the fundraiser wore on, we all witnessed the silent majority in its full glory!!  Yes, of course, there were a few bad comments – but only enough to count on one hand.  What we did hear and see a lot of were the things that make me so proud to call myself an American.  I saw a group of young girls (out with their Mother for a “girls’ day”) take time to donate items and send cards of encouragement.  I saw a woman whose son and nephew are both deployed to Iraq.  She and her daughter both gave money to help with shipping (as if they haven’t already given enough!) and tried – un-successfully -  to hold back the tears as they watched people drop off items by the bag-full.  I had one lady ask for a copy of our list so she could go to Sam’s Club to buy items in bulk.  I talked to several Vietnam veterans who said they wished that America would have supported them in this way.  I cried as I thanked them for their service to their country.  I watched as two brothers donated a box of their favorite X-box games to entertain the Troops.  The list just goes on and on and it doesn’t stop with Saturday.  Since then, I have had so many people approach me about collecting items at their church, work-place, etc., that I haven’t even been able to transport the items yet!   We have collected over 2,000 items so far, and a month later, they are still rolling in! 

Now -  Why do I tell you all of this?  Sometimes I catch myself glued to the T.V. and I get so discouraged about the state of our country.  I see all these horrible stories about corrupt people and their corrupt actions.  It’s almost exhausting to watch the news or read the paper because most of it is bad!!  What I have been reminded of time and time again over the past several months, is that what we see on the front page of the paper or as breaking news on the television does not represent what the majority of our great country is.  Most of us are hard-working, proud and patriotic Americans who have good hearts.  We spend our days living in peace, supporting our families, and pursuing whatever our particular dreams may be.  I’ve also learned that we are a giving people, who are incredibly thankful and grateful towards the men and women who sacrifice so much so that we can be free.  Apparently, this doesn’t make for good news!  I guess my intention for this letter is to remind all of you that we live in an awesome country, full of great people.   Keep that in mind the next time you turn on the T.V.! 

God Bless,
Lindsey Hallerberg

If you would like any further information on Give2theTroops or how you can make a difference, visit www.give2thetroops.org

What a wonderful expression of the love and caring that goes in to the boxes we send to the troops. It is amazing how one person can make such a difference in the lives of so many people even without meeting them. G2TT has the most amazing caring volunteers who receive joy and support from each other while collecting, sorting and packing items for the troops.
It shows what a difference a positive attitude can make. It is sad that newspapers only want to focus on the negative aspects of life in the USA, instead of focusing on all the positive things that people do to make the world a better place. Keep spreading the word.

What a beautiful article, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing!

Thank YOU, Lindsey!!! You and others like you are the current and future support of young people, like our son, who are Serving Our Country today! Your efforts will counter-balance all the difficult times Our Servicemembers face! Your love will soothe the wounds of their minds, bodies, and spirits! Keep up the Good Work!!! Hoo-rah!!!