Area residents organize sweet treats for the troops
published February 5, 2009 in Pioneer Press papers
By MICHELLE STOFFEL mstoffel@pioneerlocal.com
With the United States at war and national attention shifting to economic problems at home, some of the focus on assisting U.S. soldiers fighting overseas has dwindled.
Jeff Stapleton, a Norridge native now working for the village of Skokie, decided to show his support by sending candy to the soldiers.
Using social networking sites like Facebook, Stapleton located a few soldiers, like Jessie in Afghanistan and Justin in Iraq, and started communicating with them.
Most were stationed at operating bases and could get personal hygiene and basic food items, but did not have access to the variety available at home.
Stapleton asked them if they were interested in receiving care packages and what they would like in such packages.
“Everyone said they love candy,” Stapleton said. So he decided to send candy.
So he and a friend, Harwood Heights Trustee Michael Gadzinksi, went to Costco and loaded up on variety packs, making sure to get Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, Jessie’s favorite.
With the addresses he received from the soldiers, he went to the post office and sent off four boxes weighing up to eight pounds, filled with candy — plus a few ounces of gum and granola bars Stapleton added to include any health nuts on base.
“If I could do it again, I would,” Stapleton said, “I’m only one person and I only have one paycheck.”
He continues to stay in touch with troops stationed around the world, including one in Korea who could not give Stapleton location information.
The soldier told him he appreciated the effort, and that is ultimately what Stapleton’s guerilla charity effort was all about.
“I just kind of wanted to remind people…every night that you’re home in your bed is a good night,” Stapleton said. “Appreciate [the soldiers], put them in your thoughts, put out an American flag — whatever you’ve gotta do.”
