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Campus leads the way in 'Shoebox' project

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By Tom Uribes

The Shoeboxes for Soldiers committee at Fresno State wrapped up its successful drive last month to support U.S. servicemen and women by supplying thousands of boxes to be shipped overseas.

The donations will go to members of all the military branches stationed in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo with the assistance of the Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The project began with Fresnans Bob and Linda Ritter and Soft Rock 98.9 on
Sept. 11, after the Ritters prepared the first shoebox for their son, Matt, stationed in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne. Their goal is to send 5,000 boxes to soldiers.

Fresno State soon got involved and sponsored a kickoff event during the campus observance of Veteran's Day. Nearly 700 boxes were collected on Nov. 11, with the majority coming from employees of Aetna Insurance of Fresno, who delivered 400 packed shoeboxes to the campus, and Girl Scout Troop No. 190 of Fresno, whose members delivered 225 boxes.

Shoebox contents include such items as hard candy, powdered drink mixes, chewing gum, magazines, books, crossword puzzles and notes from the donor's family.

Cher Travis Ellis chaired the Division of Student Affairs planning committee, which was joined by Pi Sigma Epsilon, a Fresno State marketing fraternity. Also supporting the effort were a variety of campus organizations, including the Air Force Arnold Air Society and Army ROTC, University Relations, Plant Operations and Campus Police.

Community support came from the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, the Fresno Police and Fire Departments and Fresno County Schools as well as various businesses and organizations.
Travis Ellis said inquiries about the project came from throughout the state and even the nation.

As the Shoeboxes for Soldiers project grew during November, Pi Sigma Epsilon laid the groundwork to take the campaign beyond the Valley to a state and national level with its chapters located at universities throughout the country.

Eric Wakefield, president of the Fresno chapter, contacted chapters in the Bay Area and Southern California. The Fresno State chapter will serve as the national headquarters for the Shoeboxes for Soldiers.

"At a national level, this will be grassroots drive led by college students to show support for their peers serving in the United States Armed Forces overseas," said Wakefield, who is spearheading the national drive.

Though the shoebox campaign has concluded, cash or check contributions are still being accepted and will be used to purchase special military phone cards.

 
A tax-deductible receipt will be available. Checks should be made to Pi Sigma Epsilon and sent to Student Affairs at M/S JA67.

Back to University Journal, 12/02 Issue