Catholics are packing up gifts for troops overseas at Christmas

Throughout the Albany Diocese, Christmas gifts and letters are being wrapped, boxed and mailed to people serving in the military around the world.

Thanks to the efforts of parishes, individuals and organizations, service men and women will know that they are loved by those back home.

One example occurred in Cohoes, where a woman used her own experience to help families and soldiers during the holidays.

Helping out

Michelle Frainier has a son in the Navy who was actively involved in the Gulf War in the '90s. She remembers the anxiety she felt during his absence, wondering if he would come home unharmed. He did, but she never forgot how much the family worried.

As a result, when her parish, St. Michael's in Cohoes, announced that a parishioner was in Iraq, she reacted.

"Although I do not know the family personally, I remember Robbie Cook when he was little. He was an altar boy," Mrs. Frainier said. "I was thinking that another family was going through that awful anxiety, and I knew I had to do something."

Cooking up idea

Robert Cook is a captain in the Army. Last March, his unit was deployed to Iraq. Parishioners were asked to keep him and his family in their prayers.

But Mrs. Frainier went farther: She initiated Operation Capt. Cook to have the parish "adopt" the young captain and his entire unit for Christmas. She approached Mrs. Cook with the idea.

"Tears filled her eyes, and she said, 'Yes,' plain and simple," said Mrs. Frainier. "That's when we both started to cry. I wanted us to support these young men and women in any way we could. I decided we could send them things that they need and want, items that would remind them of home and family."

Gift boxes

Mrs. Frainier put a notice in the bulletin, asking parishioners to give such necessities as toothpaste, deodorant, pens, pencils, paper or donations of money if they preferred, since "many of our parishioners are elderly and unable to shop."

People also donated magazines, fly swatters, playing cards, puzzle books, soap, canned goods, snacks, disposable cameras and razors, feminine products, shampoo, and "even Q-Tips for their ears," Mrs. Frainier noted. In addition, nearly $500 was raised to purchase more items.

"We were overwhelmed," she said, noting that the gifts stuffed 18 very large boxes. She called it a "happy, joyful feeling" to know that so many people cared for the soldiers.

Thanks from Iraq

After Capt. Cook got the first three boxes, Mrs. Cook received word from her son that the entire unit was elated that the parish had thought of them.

"We wanted it to be a surprise, so Robbie had no idea that 15 more were on the way," Mrs. Frainier said.

By the end of November, the unit had received all 18 boxes, each with its own holiday greeting from the parishioners.

More help

Another way to help is through Military Moms in Action, a not-for-profit organization that supports and encourages U.S. military around the world, especially those with little or no mail or package support from home.

Begun nearly two years ago by Kathy Buckley of Melrose, the organization sends weekly care packages to soldiers around the world. MMA assists schools, church and civic organizations by including letters written by schoolchildren and other groups in the boxes they ship. The group can be reached at 235-0365 or at [email protected].

Also, Arlene Shako, a member of St. Joseph's parish in Schoharie, maintains a list of troops that are "far away and rarely get mail. They have asked for reading material and spiritual books, videos, CD's, or magazines." She can be reached for names and addresses at [email protected].

(12/23/04)