Good Works: Operation Support Our Troops

Munir Bader was born in Lebanon and moved to the U.S. in the 1990's after the invasion of Kuwait. He brought his wife and children with him to start over. Years later, his business is filled with red, white and blue.

"I'm an American" he says.

About six months ago, Bader bought American Climate Controlled Storage.  The storage units are where the Shreveport chapter of Operation Support Our Troops is housed, for no-charge.

"Anytime they come, we give them all the support, we collect the items for them, we store it for them" Bader says. He sometimes provides the group with boxes too.

Operation Support Our Troops' chair, Shirley Olivieri-Mathies, makes regular deliveries to the storage unit.  She organizes five Saturdays a year where volunteers pack boxes full of things like snacks and toiletries, sending them to soldiers in Afghanistan.

"A lot of the troops in that area are in very remote areas in the mountains where they have no supplies. They don't have anywhere that they can get snack foods or they can get cards and things to send their families" she says.

She says soldiers often tell her how much the support means: "You just don't know what it means, all of my guys had smiles on their faces for several days, it’s nice to have those little reminders of home, it reminds us why we're here and what we're fighting for." 

Bader has provided a room for the group to operate in and pack the boxes. "I wish I can give more. Because this is the least we can give to those people. And hopefully they come back home because war is not easy." 

But with volunteers sending small things from home, it is making a big difference.

"Our mission is as long as they're there, we're going to be here" Olivieri-Mathies.  

The next packing date is June 5th. Volunteers, boxes and items to send overseas are always needed. All donations are tax deductible. Here are some suggested items:
Easter candy (purchased as after Easter sale items--hard candy only since chocolate melts in summer temperatures), baby wipes, Gatorade/Crystal light drink mix, plastic funnels (to help them pour beverages into

canteens), Gold Bond powder, non-aerosol athlete foot medication & sunscreen, fly swatters, small patriotic decorations, handmade patriotic cards and/or artwork made by children, notes/letters of appreciation & encouragement, monetary donations

The group would also like to makeover the room used for packing but wants some tasks finished and supplies like:
 -replacing fluorescent light bulbs
-sheet rock repair of a small area of a short partition
-have carpet cleaned or replaced
-acquire materials to apply fresh coat of paint
-acquire door with lock to hang, securing area from storage facility traffic
-acquire ten (used or new) six-foot tables for additional sorting/work space
-gift cards to purchase any of the above materials

-Shipping costs are about $1.35/lb. Donations are tax-deductible. Checks need to be made outto OPERATION SUPPORT OUR TROOPS and can be mailed c/o 243 Justin Avenue, Shreveport,

LA, 71105.

Drop Off Locations: