MOMS volunteers seek donations to make care packages for soldiers overseas
by Lori A. Carter
The Press Democrat
The quarterly "comforts from home" packages the MOMS put together have always been labors of love. But the most recent production took a more personal toll.
The Sonoma County MOMS, Mothers of Military Servicemembers, had to dip into their own pockets to finance and mail the 102 boxes of toiletries, snacks and other cherished items they sent to soldiers abroad.
In these tough economic times, charitable giving -- including to those serving in the military and fighting our wars -- has been in decline.
The moms seeking donations last month outside Wal-Mart in Rohnert Park saw that first-hand, said board member Sally Moratto.
"It was just a really, really hard day. It was one of those things where people didn't even want the shopping lists," she said.
Group members ended up having to pay about $500 from their own funds to subsidize the filling and mailing of the boxes, which are sent to military service members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The total cost was $1,302.
"I know everyone is watching their wallets and what have you . . . and there's so much in the news about the (Jaycee Dugard) kidnapping, the economy and health care issues," Moratto said. "Yes, it's been eight years, but we still have troops over there."
Last quarter, the group gathered enough donated items and monetary gifts to fund the mailing of 150 care packages.
The care packages include new socks, toothpaste, lotions, sunscreen, bug spray, tuna packs, peanut butter, crackers, granola and coffee with filters.
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HOW TO DONATE
online: email moms@sonic.net or go to www.moms-sonomacounty.org
by mail:
MOMS
P.O. Box 8122
Santa Rosa, CA
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Moratto said she suspects the changed political landscape -- a new president and changing public sentiment on the wars -- may also be slowing donations.
"I think it's both, but probably more so the economy," she said. "But we are hearing more on the political side than we have in the past."
Since its founding in 2003, the group has remained apolitical.
"We don't care if you support the war or not, or support the president or not," Moratto said. "Our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters -- that's what we need to remind the public about."
The group continues to raise money to send the boxes and collects Christmas cards to mail to troops. They will have a card-signing event at Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa on Oct. 25, where they also will be accepting donations.
MOMS also accepts donations online or through the mail.
"We want to remind the public that we still have thousands of Americans serving for our freedoms," Moratto said.
-- You can reach Staff Writer Lori A. Carter at 521-5240 or email at lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com.
