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Military support group cited as Homefront Hero

Posted December 11, 2007 10:00 pm

Adriana Colindres

When Kay Stinnett, Mary Klaus and their fellow Macoupin County volunteers pack boxes full of items for soldiers serving overseas, they always include a toy or "something funny."

It could be a foam football, a water pistol or "just something to relieve the stress," Stinnett said Tuesday after the Macoupin County Military Support Group picked up a Homefront Hero Award.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn handed out a dozen of the awards at a state Capitol news conference. Recipients included organizations, such as the Macoupin County group, and individuals.

Quinn said the Macoupin County Military Support Group and other efforts to help members of the military are a "living testament to the power of American patriotism and volunteerism."

"We want lots and lots of hometown heroes in Illinois," he said. "There's no quota on this."

For the past year, the Macoupin County Military Support Group has sent "hundreds and hundreds" of packages to soldiers who are from Macoupin County, Klaus said. The packages include such things as shaving cream, shampoo, DVDs and beef jerky.

"When we register the soldier, we try to find out what his likes and dislikes are so we can put in something special for him," Stinnett said. "Like, if he likes teriyaki-flavored beef jerky."

The group continues to seek the names and addresses of soldiers from Macoupin County, Stinnett and Klaus said. To provide information, call 854-3038.

Residents all over the county find a way to contribute to the military support group's effort. Children write to the solders and send them artwork. Others collect or make something - baked goods, for example - to include in the packages.

"We have shown everyone that regardless of your age or your situation, there is some way to show your gratitude and support for the military," Stinnett said. "Our motto is taking care of our own and caring about them all."

Besides the food, toiletries and toys, the boxes also include notes that say, in part: "A grateful nation awaits your return.... Until then, we want you to know we appreciate your hard work and dedication."

Other recipients of Homefront Hero Awards include:

-- Dale and Ryan Bishop of Litchfield, for filming the memorial service of Army Cpl. Ryan Buckley, editing it and setting it to music as a tribute to the late soldier.

-- Daryl Allen, a Springfield chiropractor who has collected more than 100 DVDs to send to deployed military personnel.

--Elks Lodges of Illinois, for its "Serving Our Soldiers" program that sends packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

-- Service Employees International Union Local 73 members in the vehicle services department of the secretary of state's office, for collecting food and other items to send to seven soldiers who had not been getting letters or packages from home.

-- Larry Pulley of Springfield, who sends Bibles to the surviving families of soldiers killed since 2003.

Adriana Colindres can be reached at (217) 782-6292 or adriana.colindres@sj-r.com.

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