New Year, New Rise and Shine Projects for the Project Patriot Committee

Stephanie Wolfley, National Chair, DAR Project Patriot

The DAR Project Patriot Committee is the official committee of the National Society that supports the active duty military and their families. One of the main ways to help support the active duty deployed military is through sending care packages. Care packages may contain items such candy, cookies, games, cards of appreciation and hygiene products. Members are creative with their care packages in helping to send a box of “home” in appreciation for all the dedication and sacrifice of our active duty service members. Here is more information about two of our projects:

Operation: Bean of Life

This is a “coffee house” opened by an Army Chaplain and Assistant (SPC) located on a base in the Middle East. It offers transient service members from all branches of active duty military coming in and out of country “a place of resiliency and comfort away from military life”- words from an Army SPC. It is an important way for service members to spend time with their friends on base or connect with family and friends at home in a quiet atmosphere. They keep it stocked with supplies from care packages for service members free of charge through donations. Here is a list of some of the requested items for the “coffee house”: coffee: ground or Keurig, hot chocolate, cream packets, sugar packets, cups, lids, sweetener packets, jerky, slim jims, small bags of chips, nuts, candy, cereal bars, protein bars, ramen noodles, packets of water flavoring, hygiene products, feminine products, socks, flip flops, chap stick, unscented personal wipes, electronic wipes, lotion, sunscreen and pillow cases.

Operation: Eisenhower Carrier Group

Deployment on a Navy ship for months at sea can be a lonely place with no end in sight. As the ship and crew prepare for their world cruise, let us support them during this deployment.  

Our point of contact for this adventure is the Chaplain on the USS Eisenhower.   He and his staff, “RP’s” (Religious Program Specialist or Chaplain’s Assistants) will maintain the Chaplain’s Closet on the USS Eisenhower and will also be ferrying boxes of items to other ships in the carrier group.   At the request of the Chaplain, we have created DAR posters for each ship and the crew will be taking photo ops when receiving their care packages. From time to time, we will most likely receive special requests from the Chaplain and will pass them on to everyone. Please see a list of requested items on the DAR Project Patriot Facebook group. Special Request – Please do not send hotel soaps/shampoos or travel size items.  Regular sized items are welcomed and preferred, no cereal or energy bars with hemp seeds and no pork products.

Participation in these projects provides more than just snacks and personal care items; it shows support for our troops, and let’s them know that Americans appreciate their sacrifice. Be sure to “shine” by posting on social media and sending a strong photo of your projects to your local news outlets to illustrate the value of DAR involvement. Remember, however, to never post military addresses publicly.

I would like to thank Susan More, Peggy Whitcomb, Dale Boggs, SJ Burnley and Caribeth Legats for their support in helping to coordinate these two projects. If you would like more information about these projects please send an e-mail to me or join the DAR Project Patriot Facebook group.

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