Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Happy Holidays!!

Dozens of volunteers recently helped us write holiday cards for each soldier on our mailing list.  More than 40 handwritten notes were sent to the troops.  Many community members found it to be a wonderful opportunity to express their appreciation to soldiers who are overseas during the holidays.

Since our November packaging event, a handful of soldiers who received an OTOH care package have begun corresponding with students from Swift River School and Greenfield Middle School.  Two of the soldiers even hope to visit their new “pen pals” upon returning home!  It has been a great way for the classrooms to learn more about the soldiers’ everyday lives and what it's like to be away from home.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and we look forward to working with you in 2011!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Another Successful Event!



As part of our seventh packaging event, twenty-six members of the community gathered to prepare care packages for soldiers stationed overseas on November 6th. With the abundance of supplies donated by individuals and local organizations, we were able to fill ninety-seven care packages.

Each package included handwritten cards and drawings from students at Swift River School in New Salem, Greenfield Middle School in Greenfield and Saxe Middle School in New Canaan, CT. Volunteers also included a personalized note for each soldier.

More than 1500 bottles of sunscreen were donated by WS Badger Company of Gilsum, NH. Several local businesses and organizations including Witty’s Funeral Home, New Salem Firefighter’s Association, Wheelerville Women’s Club, Porter Transportation, Harris Manufacturing, Four Columns Realty, Margery Morton Chapter, D.A.R. and community members made donations towards the high cost of shipping the packages.

Members of the North Orange Grange, Mahar Key Club and the Veteran’s Education Project of Amherst helped at the event. Several military family members and volunteers from the Diemand Farm were also involved.

Since we began our efforts in 2007, more than 375 packages have been sent to troops stationed overseas.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Upcoming Event!

On Saturday, November 6th, Operation Touch of Home will be hosting our seventh event to prepare care packages to soldiers overseas. We are in need of addresses of troops overseas who would like to receive care packages. Our only source for this information is from soldiers' friends and family in our community. We are also accepting supply and monetary donations. Addresses and supply donations must be received no later than Friday, October 22nd to ensure all necessary preparation can be done prior to the packaging event. To refer a soldier to receive a care package, please complete the Soldier Referral Form and return it to OTOH by the deadline.

Addresses and monetary donations can be sent to: 
Operation Touch of Home
93 Royalston Road
Orange, MA 01364

Checks should be made payable to: Operation Touch of Home.

Supply donations can be dropped off at Adams Animal Hospital in Athol and Diemand Farm in Wendell. Click here for a list of suggested donations.

If you plan to volunteer at the event, please contact us by Friday, October 22nd for further details.

View Poster for November 2010 Event   

Since Operation Touch of Home began in 2007, more than 280 packages have been sent to troops stationed overseas.  OTOH is sponsored by the North Orange Grange and Diemand Farm.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

T-Shirts for Sale!

We are currently accepting orders for Operation Touch of Home t-shirts. The front of the white shirt has our logo and the back has our slogan, "Bringing a touch of home and joy to our soldiers overseas" with Orange, MA underneath.  If you'd like to order one (or more!) to help us promote OTOH, please send $10 per shirt with size information to:

Operation Touch of Home
93 Royalston Road
Orange, MA 01364

Sizes offered are: Children (S-XL) and Adult (S-3X). If you require shipping or a size larger than XL, please add $2 each. We must have your payment and size information no later than Friday, September 24th or we will be unable to process your order. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Important Documents

Below we have linked several PDF files that may interest you.

Background Flier

Suggested Donations

Soldier Referral Form

Letter Writing Tips