'Adopt A Chaplain' tradition continues

Friday, October 17, 2014
Ann Trail of McCook, Nebraska, plans to fill many boxes this size with "we care" goodies for U.S. soldiers serving in Jordan and Africa and on the USS San Diego. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- Many years ago, Annie Trail of McCook, Nebraska, "adopted" a chaplain to whom she sent ribbon cross bookmarks for distribution among the soldiers in his unit.

Annie had discovered -- and personally checked out -- "Adopt a Chaplain" in San Diego, California. "They sent boxes to chaplains. They were all volunteers and they met in a garage," Annie remembered recently. She decided then and there, "I want my own chaplain."

With help from friends/volunteers who meet -- yes -- in her garage, Annie has coordinated "Adopt a Chaplain" efforts in McCook, sending "we care about you" packages to 13 or 14 chaplains for the past for eight or nine years.

"People have always been so very generous," Ann says, graciously offering items for the boxes and monetary donations to mail the boxes.

Postage has gone up every year, from $14.85 last year to $15.90 this year, for each of the flat-rate boxes she mails. The postage covers the boxes' trip from McCook to New Jersey, where they're sent on to their destinations on military planes.

"Money is greatly appreciated for postage," Ann said.

Ann likes to tuck notes of support and Christmas cards inside each box. "Please indicate what community you're from," Ann encouraged.

To each chaplain, Ann sends maps of Nebraska and Kansas, indicating the communities that have provided goodies for the boxes. Maps in the past have highlighted McCook, Culbertson, Trenton, Imperial, Cambridge, Arapahoe, Lincoln, Maywood and Curtis in Nebraska, and Almena in Kansas. "And our (pheasant) hunters from Illinois, Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin have always donated generously," Ann said. "They're pretty awesome," Ann's husband Dick added.

Ann has always accepted help to pack the boxes -- yes, inside her garage.

These are the items she and her volunteers will stuff into their chaplain boxes:

Chap Stick, deodorant and body wash for men (not too fragrant), hand and foot warmers, razors.

DVD movies (new or used), CD music, game books, crosswords, sear, Sudoku, etc.

Coffee Mate (any flavor), coffee (any flavor), hot chocolate packets, hot cider packets, single drink mixes for water.

Macaroni-and-cheese individual cups, ramen noodles (individual cups), microwave popcorn, beef jerky, power bars, granola bars, individual packages of trail mix and nuts, gun.

Candy (pre-wrapped), sunflower seeds, all flavors.

Items and monetary donations can be delivered to Ann's home at 201 West M; or call (308) 340-3578 to volunteer for packing parties and/or for more information.

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