SOAR’s sweet surprise

By Marilyn Sjoberg
Special to the Pioneer Times
    HOULTON —Support Our American Recruits (SOAR) met recently to put the finishing touches on “Operation: Mama's Home-baked Cookies.” Care packages filled with cookies, Dunkin Donuts coffee, drink mixes, a recent copy of the Houlton Pioneer Times and a note reading: "When the soldier can't come to the cookie jar, you send the cookie jar to the soldier," were sent off to military men and women with ties to the greater Houlton area. Most of them are serving their country in harm’s way overseas.
    This campaign is just one of several in which SOAR members participate to make sure our service men and women know their sacrifice is not taken for granted.
SOARING CAMPAIGN — Pictured from left are: Marilyn Sjoberg, Peg Luciani, Lee Ann Lord and Carol Swallow after finishing Operation Mom’s Home-baked Cookies to send sweet treats and other surprises to men and women with ties to Houlton now serving overseas.
    SOAR also makes every effort to fulfill specific requests from the troops. The 286th Army Guard Unit out of Bangor is requesting used guitars.  Funds would be appreciated by the organization so that any guitar received might be re-strung and adequately packaged for shipping. To donate a guitar, please contact SOAR member Peg Luciani at 532-6578 before May 22.
     June projects for SOAR include “Operation: So good to hear your voice!” Department of Defense approved AT&T phone cards, with adequate minutes for international calling, will be purchased as monies are donated so that our soldiers can maintain that all-important personal contact with loved ones at home.
    For more information about SOAR and its mission, upcoming meetings or how to submit the name of a soldier, contact Marilyn Sjoberg at 532-4378.