Cause of the Month

First Response Backpacks

The majority of the nation’s attention focuses on troops deployed and active in a combat zone. Once they leave combat, however, they are often ignored or forgotten. Ideally, our troops would all return home in one piece to the waiting arms of loved ones. However, all too often our military men and women leave the battlefield to go to a Combat Support Hospital (CSH) due to injuries. Soldiers generally arrive only with what they were wearing when wounded--and many times, those clothes are in shreds from the attack and subsequent medical attention. It can be weeks before the heroes personal belongings arrive.

Soldiers’ Angels provides a way for these wounded heroes to be more comfortable and have some love from home during this traumatic time. First Response Backpacks contain the basic essentials that soldiers are lacking, including clothing and toiletries. A medic in Iraq emailed Soldiers’ Angels regarding the kits: “The First Response Kits arrived and unfortunately the very next day we had two of our soldiers critically inured. I had placed the packs in my Battalion Commander's truck, so when we went to the CSH, I was able to give the soldiers those packs and they truly appreciated it.”

Two ways exist for Angels to help out with First Response Backpacks. You can put together your own backpack (or two or three), filled with the following items: a pair of socks, boxers, shorts, brown/white tee shirt, lounge pants, a small blanket and toiletries (such as deodorant, shampoo, lotion, lip balm, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, shave cream and a comb/brush). Clothing sizes should be large or extra-large. Also enclose a prepaid phone card. Blankets should measure 36-40 inches wide and 45-50 inches long and can be bought or made. Make sure to attach a card to the blanket and write your name and address on it, along with a brief message to the wounded hero. Email Lynette Frascella, Wounded Team Director, at LDFnjSA at aol.com for the CSH address for completed kits or if you would like to donate items.

Angels can also donate money for Soldiers’ Angels to create and mail a backpack on their behalf (the cost is only $40, which includes shipping, for each backpack). Visit http://www.soldiersangels.homestead.com/wounded-soldiers-project.html for more information and to donate. If you wish to donate money but cannot contribute the entire amount, you may send money (specify that you wish it used for Wounded Backpacks) via PayPal or mail a check to:

Soldiers’ Angels
1792 East Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104

Soldiers’ Angels is pairing up with the Military Order of the Purple Heart to provide backpack kits for wounded heroes arriving at Andrews Air Force Base. While still in the works, it will be a very big project. Stay tuned or contact Lynette for more information as this project finalizes.Help our wounded soldiers know they are loved and not forgotten!