AUBURN JOURNAL
stacks_image_80C5A525-C191-48D3-A734-ECC75E9BA8B5
stacks_image_50C756E4-1E46-4213-A5FD-45FEF621B600
Ashley Baer/Auburn Journal file photo

Volunteer Ted Moore sorts donations into categories such as pastas, soups and canned meals during the Stuff-A-Bus “food-raiser” in November in Auburn.
Operation: MOM launching Operation Stuff the Bus
Local nonprofit seeking food, toiletry donations for troops overseas

By Jenifer Gee Journal Staff Writer
This weekend a local nonprofit that helps troops overseas will launch a special mission — Operation Stuff the Bus.
The Auburn Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a Stuff the Bus event to collect donations for Touch of Home care packages for Operation: MOM.
The nonprofit group sends packages of food and toiletries to soldiers stationed overseas.
Dee Rein, group leader of Placer County’s Operation: MOM, said with the recent economic downturn, the group has been struggling like other nonprofits to fill its needs.
“Everybody is trying to fundraise and make it through the hard times,” Rein said. “Before I would only have to campaign to collect products twice a year. Now, I’m doing it every other month.”
Auburn resident David Partak was one of the soldiers who received a care package from the group when he was stationed in Iraq in 2004. He said receiving a package from someone who wasn’t a family member or friend was a “pleasant surprise.”
“As we like to say in the military, it is a morale multiplier,” Partak said. “I remember some of the fun stuff, especially the cards and letters from kids.”
This Saturday volunteers will collect food and personal items at the Grocery Outlet parking lot off Highway 49 and Elm Avenue in Auburn.
The items needed are granola, cereal and protein bars, beef jerky, personal-size deodorant for men and women and toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes. Rein added that hand-sanitizer is also a needed item.
As items are dropped off, Anton the Magical Entertainer will perform magic tricks for kids and adults. There will also be a table set up for people to write a note to a solider.
Additionally, Grocery Outlet owner John Stevens has donated hot dogs and drinks for Operation: MOM to sell so they can raise money for postage costs.
Rein said the group meets once a month and sends about 75 to 100 $10 care packages to soldiers stationed overseas in various countries including Iraq. The nonprofit has been in operation since about 2003.
Rein said she hopes Auburn-area residents will help support the men and women in the military this Saturday.
“Help us keep our care packages going and support our troops,” Rein said. “This is a great way to do it because the whole family can participate. Even buying one item is really helpful.”
The Journal’s Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.

----------

What: Stuff the Bus to collect donations for Operation: MOM
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 13
Where: Grocery Outlet parking lot, located on Highway 49 at Elm Avenue in Auburn
Bring: Granola, cereal and protein bars, beef jerky, personal size deodorant for men and women and toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes
Entertainment: Anton the Magical Entertainer will appear between 11 a.m. and noon and 2 and 3 p.m.

TO SEE THIS ARTICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE

Keywords
Stuff the Bus, Operation: MOM, Auburn Kiwanis Club, Grocery Outlet, Highway 49
More soldiers reap benefits of our
generous community

Operation Mom sends a heartfelt thanks to the Colfax VFW and Ladies Auxiliary recalling the valor and bravery of the selfless firefighters, law enforcement officers and rescue workers of 9/11 whose ultimate sacrifice was their lives.

On Sept. 13, we gathered to honor our fallen heroes of 9/11 and to honor our own local heroes. To our local law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, thank you for protecting us from those who would harm us, finding us when we are lost, aiding us when we are hurt and protecting us from fire and other potentially hazardous conditions.

Operation Mom would also like to thank Gold Run CHP, Colfax City Volunteer Fire Department and Colfax CDF Station 30 for their donations that will help us send packages to our troops currently deployed overseas. Through their kindness, Operation Mom will send another 25 packages called “A Little Touch of Home” this month. To date, we currently mail, on average, 70 packages each month.

Bobbi Park

Operation Mom

For additional information on Operation MOM, they can be reached at: www.operationmom.org