It’s difficult to be far from family and friends. It’s even tougher if you’re serving in the United States military where even the basic comfort items can be scarce. That’s why a group of volunteers in Caledonia-Mumford who have family members serving in the military, formed a support group to do just that, let the service men and women know that they are thought of by family and friends back home.

   Kathy DeMarco says the group started five years ago and since then they have packaged and mailed packages to service people overseas and sent cards to all in country service people. The packages contain basic hygiene items, candy, pens, writing paper any other items that soldiers may not have access to on their military base. Nine men received packages from the group at Christmas.

   DeMarco says the cost of shipping the packages is very expensive. They depend on fundraisers to help with the costs of shipping and to bring in the donated items they put into the packages. It’s all worth it, though, when they read the cards and letters they receive in return.

   "They send us notes of thanks, especially for the cookies we send, which they always say don’t last too long," DeMarco remarked.

   A group of children from Churchville-Chili Central School has decided to help the military support group on their upcoming Easter package mailing. The students plan to write notes of encouragement to the soldiers and place them in colorful Easter eggs, which the volunteers will include in the packages being mailed to the service people out of country.

   The parents of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Kris Mitchell say their son appreciated receiving the packages from home while stationed in Iraq on his third tour of duty. Mitchell was injured by an I.E.D., roadside explosive, and suffers from traumatic brain injury. He’s undergoing treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. but recently had a short visit in Caledonia with his family. He spent a few hours at Cal-Mum Elementary School thanking the children for the quilt project they took part in. The students made hand painted quilts to be sent to patients at Walter Reed.

   The military support group held a chicken and biscuit dinner at the Matthew Cleary Post American Legion home on February 16 to raise money for the next package project this spring. Over 100 people supported their efforts by attending the dinner and bringing donations along with them. DeMarco recently purchased a food vacuum so that the cookies can be vacuum-sealed before packaging.

   "They will be so thankful to receive the cookies in one piece and much fresher," she said. Donations are always greatly appreciated and can be made by calling DeMarco at 538-6298.