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Operation First Response

Operation First Response

Provides

Hygiene Products

For Wounded U.S. Soldiers

Operation First Response is grateful for your generous donations of hygiene products throughout the year. OFR packed 483 gallon-size bags in 2007. We also received donations from all over the country after wounded soldiers who had been recipients of these bags spread the word to their hometowns, resulting in more donations from schools and individuals. A lady from Florida sent hand-knitted bookmarks with a beautiful prayer attached.

As you know, the need, unfortunately, is ongoing. Currently we are low on or completely out of deodorant, mouthwash, chapstick, individual tissue packs, disposable razors and playing cards.

Please leave your donations in the basket in the narthex extension.

For more information, call Marian Lokay at 540 347-0521.

“Kid Mail” Requested for Inclusion in

Hygiene Bags Being Packed for U.S. Soldiers

Operation First Response is looking for artwork, letters or poems from kids to support our wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. A Michigan fourth grade class sent us letters to be enclosed in the hygiene bags we pack – some of them can be seen in the narthex extension. We will send things from any children of any age; individual children or groups are welcome to contribute. We plan to pack more bags in mid-September, but the need is ongoing, and later donations will also be appreciated. Our last packing yielded 150 bags, although we didn’t have enough “kid mail” for every bag.

Peggy Baker, OFR Founder and President, met with our group this summer. She expressed her thanks to all for the assistance in supplying the hygiene bags, which she encloses in backpacks and mails overseas. She has appeared in recent television spots and is sometimes quoted in the newspaper. Her presence at Walter Reed is well-known because of her weekly visits with soldiers and their families.

Anyone with a few free hours in the morning (approximately every six weeks) is welcome to help us pack in room 233. Call Marian Lokay through the church office for exact dates and times. No experience required!

Approximately every six weeks you will find us in Room 233 sorting donations and then placing them in the bags. Come join us. Dates and times vary, but generally no more than a few hours are needed.

The need for these sample/small-size products is ongoing. Several local dentists and beauty shops have donated sample products (toothbrushes, floss, shampoo, etc.) through their distributors. We have received Avon products from a distributor, including feminine items for our female soldiers. Perhaps there are caring friends of FPC members who would be happy to help our wounded with case lots or individual products. It never hurts to ask. In addition to hygiene products, we like to include ball point pens and playing cards, if available.

Lap quilts/crocheted or knitted lap afghans are also greatly needed. This might be a fun “at home” project. For more info; i.e., dimensions (small), etc., please go to www.operationfirst response.org see how they support wounded soldiers and read the comments from the wounded soldiers. This will help you better understand the need.

Thank you for all the donations we have received. A wish list is in the narthex and on the PW bulletin board and is also listed below.

Kristin Larsen, Carol Drago, Clara Richcreek, Dixie Hopple, Frances Larsen

Lynne Thompson, Marian Lokay, Carolyn Major

Needed Items for OFR Backpacks

**all hygiene items travel/sample SIZE**

Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Mouthwash
Deodorant
Cotton Swabs
Disposable razors
Non-Aerosol Shaving Gel/Cream
Shampoo
Hand Lotion
Body Powder
Anti-bacterial wet wipes
5" hair combs
Nail clippers/file
Prepaid phone cards

playing cards

Handmade cot quilts

The lapsize quilts should be 45x45 or 45x60,

any larger size is fine, but will not go into a backpack,

they will be hand delivered to Walter Reed

for the inpatient service members.

Additional ways that you can help.

All donations are used for our Wounded Heroes and their Families.

Kristin Larsen, Frances Larsen, Nancy Partridge, Marian Lokay

Lynn Thompson, Val Bruton, Clara Richcreek, Carol Drago

Operation First Response is an all volunteer

nonprofit 501 (c) 3 Tax Exempt organization formed in the State of Virginia.

Fairfax Presbyterian Church - Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-6985
(703) 273-5300 - FAX (703) 591-4246
fpc@fairfaxpresby.com
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