December 3

This week I had the pleasure of witnessing a powerful project from the heart of one very beautiful person, Deb Dickinson and her colleagues from TallGrass Spa. Deb found out about Soldier Boxes from a client at the spa. Deb shared her thoughts with me…. "I am so proud of this project. My dad was a Navigator in the Air Force, a WWII Vet, taken as a POW and was also called back in the Korean War because they were so short handed. I feel very strongly about doing this as a way to honor him, as well as all those that do or have served. My son was also in the Army National Guard and so proud of him as well, feeling very lucky he was not involved in a conflict.”

She added, "I started very small with just a few people donating travel size toiletries, playing cards, puzzles, anything to make our soldiers more comfortable. When Gail and TallGrass got involved, the project started growing like crazy. We now collect from TallGrass employees, and clients. Evergreen Rotary has been a huge donor as well as the Evergreen American Legion which donates small folded flags with a poem attached. Clients and staff write little notes to the soldiers on cards. These are the very most important and well received of anything we send."

These boxes are sent by these women twice a year. This wonderful group of people met after their staff meeting in Deb’s basement where she had stored and organized items that were donated and purchased for this project. The room was filled with tables where these women wrote cards to the soldiers as Deb was interviewed. It looked liked Santa’s workshop! Deb was chosen as a Channel 7 News Everyday Hero and gave an interview about her project. She was nominated for this award by one of her peers at the spa. Her interview will air on Channel 7 beginning on Sunday and run throughout December.

My heart is filled with gratitude for this beautiful person who inspires everyone around her. There is a very special soldier who will open each box and receive so much love and appreciation. Thank you, Deb.

"One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something" - Henry David Thoreau

Peace.