Operation Undergarment to Clothe Injured Soldiers

Friday 22nd of December 2006 08:32:43 PM

Operation Undergarment to Clothe Injured Soldiers

Jacqueline Sarka, a third-grade teacher at Judd Elementary School, in North Brunswick, has started an Operation Undergarment campaign, after visiting her niece’s husband, an Army soldier stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

During her visit to Kansas in November, she visited the gift shop, where a woman informed her of the Operation, a clothing collection for injured and sick military personnel.

Unfortunately, injured and sick military personnel overseas are sometimes left with only a hospital gown or blanket to cover them, while being treated or transported to other medical facilities. Everyone knows of the hard work our soldiers have put into world peace, and it is appalling that their dignity must suffer in this way,

To help alleviate this problem, the wife of a Black Hawk pilot started Operation Undergarment, collecting new and unused T-Shirts, Sweaters, boxer shorts, socks, slippers, flip-flops, soft pajamas, soft pants and Sweatshirts, after her husband mentioned his displeasure to her with the lack of clothing available to fellow soldiers.

When Sarka told her colleagues of Operation Undergarment, they all chose to participate. Thirteen teams of about ten people created 14 gift baskets, which were raffled on December 8, at the Italian American Social Club, raising $950.

“I did this to let them know we care that they’re serving our country at a time when we take for granted the holidays and the beautiful celebrations we have here for the holidays. We really just expect them to happen,” she said.

100% of donations go to the soldiers, thanks to the volunteers running the administration side of the Operation. Those wishing to donate can do so through PayPal at www.operationundergarment.com, or by sending direct to the Missouri Valley Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1543, St. Peters, MO 63376, making checks payable to Operation Undergarment.