We always support both our families and community members' needs throughout our community. When you look at your church, synagogue or other organizations you may be involved in, it may seem like the same people are giving so much of their time.
There is an old adage that 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. I think those 20% all work at Children’s Specialized Hospital!
Katie Grogan (Nursing LTC, TR 94 Stevens) volunteers her time – along with her mother – to an organization called Operation Our Town. They collect contributions of necessities and then send to the troops with a note and maybe even a card from our kids. Providing random acts of kindness to people they may never meet!
Making the decision to join the United States military services is noble. Our service men and women voluntarily defend our freedom, as well as fight for peace in other areas of the world. Regardless of where they are stationed, it’s our civic duty to ensure they receive the support and respect they deserve.
Think of how excited you are when you are headed home after a long day of work, a business trip, or a vacation. You probably can’t wait to throw off your shoes, flip on your favorite channel, and pour yourself your favorite beverage.
When our troops are stationed in other countries, they are away from their friends and family for what could be a very long period of time. They don’t have the luxuries they had while home—the simple “pleasures” such as candy, games, sometimes even toiletries.
This is similar to the children who come to our inpatient hospital. Some of our kids stay with us for a handful of days and others stay with us for weeks to months. They pack items from home to make them feel more comfortable during their stay and pass the time, but it’s difficult for them to not be in their “home” environment.
The boxes of goodies put together by Katie and Operation Out Town are sure to put a smile on the face of our service men and women who are missing their homes. Much like we put a smile on the faces of our kids when we provide fun activities and events for them!
Operation Our Town absorbs the cost to ship the packages. So, they graciously accept monetary donations to help offset the cost of shipping.
If you’d like to volunteer your time with Operation Our Town or make a donation of food, toiletries, or assistance for shipping, please send an e-mail to Katie Grogan at KGrogan@childrens-specialized.org.
Thank you, Katie, for everything you to do bring a smile to the faces of our troops!
Do you volunteer your time with a community organization? Let us know in the comments below and you may be showcased in an upcoming blog post!
1 comment:
Thank you Amy, I really appreciate you spreading the word about Operation Our Town. My mother and I are currently the only volunteers for Operation Our Town. The organization was started by a group of women right after September 11, 2001. After a few years, the group got smaller and smaller. Being a military member myself and serving for the past 7 years, I see first-hand the effects of deployments on my friends and serving members. My Mom and I found the organization through our home town and knew immediately, we wanted to take part of it.
Times are hard and we understand that, but please if you can make any donation to us it would be greatly appreciated! Troops are still being killed overseas and being away from family and friends is one of the hardest things we deal with in the military. Receiving a care package from home always brings a smile to a military member's face.
One of my favorite things to send is handmade cards or art work made by a child here at Children's. I always receive thank you emails from troops and one thing they always ask is to send more of, is things made by the children!
Please email, call or text me if you have any questions or comments. Thank you!
Katie Grogan
732-547-9414
KGrogan04@gmail.com
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