Packages for soldiers

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Staff at Paradis Shop N’ Save have been busy collecting items to send overseas this holiday season for troops serving in the armed forces.
    A kiosk was initially established at the grocery store to collect monetary donations for local non-profit groups, but then Joy Ivey, office manager, came up with another idea.
    “I wanted to do something more than just collect money and give it to an organization,” Ivey said. “I wanted to do something for the troops, so we began trying to get as many people involved in the project as possible.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SPECIAL DELIVERY — The staff at Paradis Shop N’ Save in Houlton recently helped collect more than $1,800 worth of items to send to solders in Afghanistan for the holidays. Showing off the collection before it was shipped are, front row from left, Randy Johnson, Jeanne Currie, Joy Ivey, Nikkie Hughes, Judy Turney and Jody Moulton; and back, Thad Sprague, Galen Flewelling, Bob Fortier, Krista Greenleaf, Jess Dorr, David Belyea and Chris Ivey.
    In August, the plan came to fruition as the grocery store first began raising funds to purchase items to send overseas, and then, later on, inviting shoppers to buy items to be placed in the boxes too.
    What transpired amazed the staff as more than $1,800 worth of goods were collected and packaged into 22 large gift boxes to be sent overseas this holiday season.
    “The overwhelming response from our customers and the community far exceeded our expectations,” Ivey said. “A small, close knit community and supporting customers can make a major difference.”
    The idea to do something more was sparked when Ivey had a conversation with fellow employee Sue Richards who suggested the store could collect cell phones for soldiers, which can then be converted into cost-free communication time for troops. Another co-worker, Denise Tidd, created displays at the store, so customers could better visualize what was being collected and whom it was for.
    Store employees next decided to sell yellow ribbon magnets and clings, putting all the proceeds toward the troop gift boxes. Co-worker Denise Geiger ordered 200 magnets, which sold out in four days, netting the group $400.
    “Since it was a huge success, we had another co-worker order more,” Ivey said. “The total sales from the ribbons were $984.”
    At one of the company’s weekly manager meetings, Galen Flewelling suggested doing a car wash, so on Sept. 11, the group held one dedicated to the soldiers. John Birmingham came to the event with his “American Heroes” car, which helped draw more members of the public. That event generated $400.
    The 22 gift boxes departed Houlton for Afghanistan on Nov. 15. Sixth grade students from Houlton and Hodgdon contributed letters and poems. Additional cards and letters, which arrived after the boxes were sent, were mailed out on Nov. 21.
    “This has been the most rewarding and humbling experience I have participated in,” Ivey said. “It has been an honor to work with the community to show our support for our troops. We would like to say ‘thank you’ to our troops for their service and their sacrifices each day.”